Perry clung
chattering in a panic of terror. Higher and higher into the bending
and swaying tree he clambered. More and more rapidly was the tree
top inclining toward the ground.
I saw now why the great brute was armed with such enormous paws.
The use that he was putting them to was precisely that for which
nature had intended them. The sloth-like creature was herbivorous,
and to feed that mighty carcass entire trees must be stripped of
their foliage. The reason for its attacking us might easily be
accounted for on the supposition of an ugly disposition such as
that which the fierce and stupid rhinoceros of Africa possesses.
But these were later reflections. At the moment I was too frantic
with apprehension on Perry's behalf to consider aught other than
a means to save him from the death that loomed so close.
Realizing that I could outdistance the clumsy brute in the open,
I dropped from my leafy sanctuary intent only on distracting the
thing's attention from Perry long enough to enable the old man to
gain the safety of a larger tree. There were many close by which
not even the terrific strength of that titanic monster could bend.
As I touched the ground I snatched a broken limb from the tangled
mass that matted the jungle-like floor of the forest and, leaping
unnoticed behind the shaggy back, dealt the brute a terrific blow.
My plan worked like magic. From the previous slowness of the beast
I had been led to look for no such marvelous agility as he now
displayed.
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