Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 2).djvu/541



WILL offer no Apology for quoting the above beautiful Words, in View of their notable Aptness to the Subject which I am now to treat.

One Morning lately, as I sat a-musing upon the Worthiness of the good Knight Sir Ogre, who should break in upon me but a certain Fellow of my Acquaintance that has a most acute Nose for the Smelling out of such Things as may be amazing, eccentric, or curious; insomuch so that (seeing his Discoveries have often provided me with the Subject of entertaining Speculations) I hold it in nowise an Impertinence to introduce to my Reader that which this Discoverer introduced to me.

"You shall know," said he, "that I am come to carry you to a Creature of a very curious Interest that I have but now discovered; to wit, a Comic Artist"; whereat I fear me I grimaced upon him with no small Incredulity as on one that would be putting some Pleasantry upon me; whereupon (being most hugely diverted) "Zounds!" said he, "out upon your gaping and glaring, for I had as well spoken of the Sea-Serpent."

"Why," said I, "had you done so, I had been as near taking you seriously, seeing one mythological Monster is as likely a Thing as another."

But perceiving that it was the Humour of this Fellow that I should attend him, I set out with him; yet not without first selecting a stout oaken Plant in the Case this Creature should prove of a dangerous or ferocious Disposition; being, if not fidens animi, at least in utrumque paratus; either certæ occumbere morti, or to safely "contrive this very Thing"—to wit, the Unearthing of this strange Monster.

I was still casting about in my Mind what Manner of Pleasantry my Friend would be making with me; for in no Wise had I ever Conceived that a Being so outrageous