The Monster of Lake Lametrie | Page 5

mistiness that floats over them like the reflection of
passing clouds.
MAY 8TH, NOON.
I am more sure than yesterday that there is expression in the eyes, a
look of troubled fear, such as is seen in the eyes of those who dream
nightmares with unclosed lids.
MAY 11TH, EVENING.
I have been ill, and have not seen the elasmosaurus for three days, but I

shall be better able to judge the progress of the experiment by
remaining away a period of some duration.
MAY 12TH, NOON.
I am overcome with awe as I realise the success that has so far crowned
my experiment. As I approached the elasmosaurus this morning, I
noticed a faint disturbance in the water near its flippers. I cautiously
investigated, expecting to discover some fishes nibbling at the helpless
monster, and saw that the commotion was not due to fishes, but to the
flippers themselves, which were feebly moving.
"Framingham, Framingham," I bawled at the top of my voice. The vast
bulk stirred a little, a very little, but enough to notice. Is the brain, or
Framingham, it would perhaps be better to say, asleep, or has he failed
to establish connection with the body? Undoubtedly he has not yet
established connection with the body, and this of itself would be
equivalent to sleep, to unconsciousness. As a man born with none of
the senses would be unconscious of himself, so Framingham, just
beginning to establish connections with his new body, is only dimly
conscious of himself and sleeps. I fed him, or it -- which is the proper
designation will be decided in a few days -- with the usual allowance.
MAY 17TH, EVENING.
I have been ill for the past three days, and have not been out of doors
until this morning. The elasmosaurus was still motionless when I
arrived at the cove this morning. Dead, I thought; but I soon detected
signs of breathing, and I began to prepare some mussels for it, and was
intent upon my task, when I heard a slight, gasping sound, and looked
up. A feeling of terror seized me. It was as if in response to some
doubting incantations there had appeared the half-desired, yet
wholly-feared and unexpected apparition of a fiend. I shrieked, I
screamed, and the amphitheatre of rocks echoed and re-echoed my cries,
and all the time the head of the elasmosaurus raised aloft to the full
height of its neck, swayed about unsteadily, and its mouth silently
struggled and twisted, as if in an attempt to form words, while its eyes
looked at me now with wild fear and now with piteous intreaty.

"Framingham," I said.
The monster's mouth closed instantly, and it looked at me attentively,
pathetically so, as a dog might look.
"Do you understand me?"
The mouth began struggling again, and little gasps and moans issued
forth.
"If you understand me, lay your head on the rock."
Down came the head. He understood me. My experiment was a success.
I sat for a moment in silence, meditating upon the wonderful affair,
striving to realise that I was awake and sane, and then began in a calm
manner to relate to my friend what had taken place since his attempted
suicide.
"You are at present something in the condition of a partial paralytic, I
should judge," said I, as I concluded my account. "Your mind has not
yet learned to command your new body. I see you can move your head
and neck, though with difficulty. Move your body if you can. Ah, you
cannot, as I thought. But it will all come in time. Whether you will ever
be able to talk or not, I cannot say, but I think so, however. And now if
you cannot, we will arrange some means of communication. Anyhow,
you are rid of your human body and possessed of the powerful vital
apparatus you so much envied its former owner. When you gain control
of yourself, I wish you to find the communication between this lake
and the under-world, and conduct some explorations. Just think of the
additions to geological knowledge you can make. I will write an
account of your discovery, and the names of Framingham and
McLennegan will be among those of the greatest geologists."
I waved my hands in my enthusiasm, and the great eyes of my friend
glowed with a kindred fire.
JUNE 2ND, NIGHT.

The process by which Framingham has passed from his first
powerlessness to his present ability to speak, and command the use of
his corporeal frame, has been so gradual that there has been nothing to
note down from day to day. He seems to have all the command over his
vast bulk that its former owner had, and in addition speaks and sings.
He is singing now.