"Wait a minute." He took something out of his pocket that flashed back
the sun, and dropped the object at his feet. "That's a loaded revolver,"
said he. "Montgomery here will do the same. Now we are going
up the beach until you are satisfied the distance is safe.
Then come and take the revolvers."

"Not I! You have a third between you."

"I want you to think over things, Prendick. In the first place,
I never asked you to come upon this island. If we vivisected men,
we should import men, not beasts. In the next, we had you
drugged last night, had we wanted to work you any mischief;
and in the next, now your first panic is over and you can think
a little, is Montgomery here quite up to the character you give him?
We have chased you for your good. Because this island is full
of inimical phenomena. Besides, why should we want to shoot you
when you have just offered to drown yourself?"

"Why did you set--your people onto me when I was in the hut?"

"We felt sure of catching you, and bringing you out of danger.
Afterwards we drew away from the scent, for your good."

I mused. It seemed just possible. Then I remembered something again.
"But I saw," said I, "in the enclosure--"

"That was the puma."

"Look here, Prendick," said Montgomery, "you're a silly ass!