lovecraft, h p - [ecc] - f049 - the call of cthulhu

7/31/2019 Lovecraft, H P - [eCC] - F049 - The Call of Cthulhu

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The Call of Cthulhu

Of such great powers or beings there may be conceivably a

survival... a survival of a hugely remote period when...

consciousness was manifest, perhaps, in shapes and forms

long since withdrawn before the tide of advancing

humanity... forms of which poetry and legend alone have

caught a flying memory and called them gods, monsters,

mythical beings of all sorts and kinds...

- ALGERNON BLACKWOOD

I. THE HORROR IN CLAY

The most merciful thing in the world ! thin" is the in#$ilit%of the hum#n mind to correl#te #ll its contents& Weli'e on # (l#cid isl#nd of ignor#nce in the midst of $l#c" se#sof infinit% #nd it w#s not me#nt th#t we should 'o%#ge f#r&The sciences e#ch str#ining in its own direction h#'e

hitherto h#rmed us little) $ut some d#% the (iecing togetherof dissoci#ted "nowledge will o(en u( such terrif%ing 'ist#sof re#lit% #nd of our frightful (osition therein th#t we sh#lleither go m#d from the re'el#tion or flee from the de#dl%light into the (e#ce #nd s#fet% of # new d#r" #ge&

Theoso(hists h#'e guessed #t the #wesome gr#ndeur ofthe cosmic c%cle wherein our world #nd hum#n r#ce formtr#nsient incidents& The% h#'e hinted #t str#nge sur'i'#l interms which would free*e the $lood if not m#s"ed $% #$l#nd o(timism& But it is not from them th#t there c#me thesingle glim(se of for$idden #eons which chills me when !thin" of it #nd m#ddens me when ! dre#m of it& Th#t glim(se

li"e #ll dre#d glim(ses of truth fl#shed out from #n#ccident#l (iecing together of se(#r#ted things - in this c#se#n old news(#(er item #nd the notes of # de#d (rofessor& !ho(e th#t no one else will #ccom(lish this (iecing out)cert#inl% if ! li'e ! sh#ll ne'er "nowingl% su((l% # lin" in sohideous # ch#in& ! thin" th#t the (rofessor too intended to"ee( silent reg#rding the (#rt he "new #nd th#t he wouldh#'e destro%ed his notes h#d not sudden de#th sei*ed him&

+% "nowledge of the thing $eg#n in the winter of ,./-0with the de#th of m% gre#t-uncle George G#mmell Angell1rofessor Emeritus of 2emitic L#ngu#ges in Brown 3ni'ersit%1ro'idence Rhode !sl#nd& 1rofessor Angell w#s widel%"nown #s #n #uthorit% on #ncient inscri(tions #nd h#d

fre4uentl% $een resorted to $% the he#ds of (rominentmuseums so th#t his (#ssing #t the #ge of ninet%-two m#% $erec#lled $% m#n%& Loc#ll% interest w#s intensified $% theo$scurit% of the c#use of de#th& The (rofessor h#d $eenstric"en whilst returning from the New(ort $o#t) f#llingsuddenl% #s witnesses s#id #fter h#'ing $een 5ostled $% #n#utic#l-loo"ing negro who h#d come from one of the 4ueerd#r" courts on the (reci(itous hillside which formed # shortcut from the w#terfront to the dece#sed6s home in Willi#ms


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2treet& 1h%sici#ns were un#$le to find #n% 'isi$le disorder$ut concluded #fter (er(le7ed de$#te th#t some o$scurelesion of the he#rt induced $% the $ris" #scent of so stee( #hill $% so elderl% # m#n w#s res(onsi$le for the end& At thetime ! s#w no re#son to dissent from this dictum $ut l#tterl%! #m inclined to wonder - #nd more th#n wonder&

As m% gre#t-uncle6s heir #nd e7ecutor for he died #childless widower ! w#s e7(ected to go o'er his (#(ers withsome thoroughness) #nd for th#t (ur(ose mo'ed his entire setof files #nd $o7es to m% 4u#rters in Boston& +uch of them#teri#l which ! correl#ted will $e l#ter (u$lished $% theAmeric#n Arch#eologic#l 2ociet% $ut there w#s one $o7which ! found e7ceedingl% (u**ling #nd which ! felt much#'erse from showing to other e%es& !t h#d $een loc"ed #nd !did not find the "e% till it occurred to me to e7#mine the(erson#l ring which the (rofessor c#rried #lw#%s in his(oc"et& Then indeed ! succeeded in o(ening it $ut when !did so seemed onl% to $e confronted $% # gre#ter #nd moreclosel% loc"ed $#rrier& 8or wh#t could $e the me#ning of the

4ueer cl#% $#s-relief #nd the dis5ointed 5ottings r#m$lings#nd cuttings which ! found9 :#d m% uncle in his l#tter%e#rs $ecome credulous of the most su(erfici#l im(ostures9! resol'ed to se#rch out the eccentric scul(tor res(onsi$le forthis #((#rent distur$#nce of #n old m#n6s (e#ce of mind&The $#s-relief w#s # rough rect#ngle less th#n #n inchthic" #nd #$out fi'e $% si7 inches in #re#) o$'iousl% ofmodern origin& !ts designs howe'er were f#r from modernin #tmos(here #nd suggestion) for #lthough the '#g#ries ofcu$ism #nd futurism #re m#n% #nd wild the% do not oftenre(roduce th#t cr%(tic regul#rit% which lur"s in (rehistoricwriting& And writing of some "ind the $ul" of these designsseemed cert#inl% to $e) though m% memor% des(ite muchf#mili#rit% with the (#(ers #nd collections of m% uncle f#iledin #n% w#% to identif% this (#rticul#r s(ecies or e'en hint #tits remotest #ffili#tions&

A$o'e these #((#rent hierogl%(hics w#s # figure ofe'identl% (ictori#l intent though its im(ressionistic e7ecutionfor$#de # 'er% cle#r ide# of its n#ture& !t seemed to $e# sort of monster or s%m$ol re(resenting # monster of # formwhich onl% # dise#sed f#nc% could concei'e& !f ! s#% th#t m%somewh#t e7tr#'#g#nt im#gin#tion %ielded simult#neous(ictures of #n octo(us # dr#gon #nd # hum#n c#ric#ture !sh#ll not $e unf#ithful to the s(irit of the thing& A (ul(%tent#cled he#d surmounted # grotes4ue #nd sc#l% $od% withrudiment#r% wings) $ut it w#s the general outline of the whole

which m#de it most shoc"ingl% frightful& Behind the figurew#s # '#gue suggestion of # C%clo(e#n #rchitectur#l$#c"ground

The writing #ccom(#n%ing this oddit% w#s #side from #st#c" of (ress cuttings in 1rofessor Angell6s most recenth#nd) #nd m#de no (retension to liter#r% st%le& Wh#t seemedto $e the m#in document w#s he#ded 6CT:3L:3 C3LT6in ch#r#cters (#inst#"ingl% (rinted to #'oid the erroneousre#ding of # word so unhe#rd-of& This m#nuscri(t w#s


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di'ided into two sections the first of which w#s he#ded6,.; - Dre#m #nd Dre#m Wor" of :& A& Wilco7 0 Thom#s2t& 1ro'idence R& !&6 #nd the second) 6N#rr#ti'e of !ns(ector


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in'#ri#$l% # (relude to the %oung m#n6s su$sidence intoleth#rg%& :is tem(er#ture oddl% enough w#s not gre#tl%#$o'e norm#l) $ut the whole condition w#s otherwise such #sto suggest true fe'er r#ther th#n ment#l disorder&

On . A(ril #t #$out 1&+& e'er% tr#ce of Wilco76s m#l#d%suddenl% ce#sed& :e s#t u(right in $ed #stonished to find

himself #t home #nd com(letel% ignor#nt of wh#t h#dh#((ened in dre#m or re#lit% since the night of .. +#rch&1ronounced well $% his (h%sici#n he returned to his4u#rters in three d#%s) $ut to 1rofessor Angell he w#s of nofurther #ssist#nce& All tr#ces of str#nge dre#ming h#d'#nished with his reco'er% #nd m% uncle "e(t no record ofhis night-thoughts #fter # wee" of (ointless #nd irrele'#nt#ccounts of thoroughl% usu#l 'isions&

:ere the first (#rt of the m#nuscri(t ended $ut referencesto cert#in of the sc#ttered notes g#'e me much m#teri#l forthought - so much in f#ct th#t onl% the ingr#inedsce(ticism then forming m% (hiloso(h% c#n #ccount for m%

continued distrust of the #rtist& The notes in 4uestion werethose descri(ti'e of the dre#ms of '#rious (ersons co'eringthe s#me (eriod #s th#t in which %oung Wilco7 h#d h#d hisstr#nge 'isit#tions& +% uncle it seems h#d 4uic"l%instituted # (rodigiousl% f#r-flung $od% of in4uiries #mongstne#rl% #ll the friends whom he could 4uestion withoutim(ertinence #s"ing for nightl% re(orts of their dre#ms #ndthe d#tes of #n% not#$le 'isions for some time (#st& Therece(tion of his re4uest seems to h#'e $een '#ried) $ut hemust #t the 'er% le#st h#'e recei'ed more res(onses th#n#n% ordin#r% m#n could h#'e h#ndled without # secret#r%&This origin#l corres(ondence w#s not (reser'ed $ut hisnotes formed # thorough #nd re#ll% signific#nt digest&A'er#ge (eo(le in societ% #nd $usiness - New Engl#nd6str#dition#l 6s#lt of the e#rth6 - g#'e #n #lmost com(letel%neg#ti'e result though sc#ttered c#ses of une#s% $ut formlessnocturn#l im(ressions #((e#r here #nd there #lw#%s$etween . +#rch #nd . A(ril - the (eriod of %oung Wilco76sdelirium& 2cientific men were little more #ffected thoughfour c#ses of '#gue descri(tion suggest fugiti'e glim(ses ofstr#nge l#ndsc#(es #nd in one c#se there is mentioned #dre#d of something #$norm#l&

!t w#s from the #rtists #nd (oets th#t the (ertinent #nswersc#me #nd ! "now th#t (#nic would h#'e $ro"en loose h#dthe% $een #$le to com(#re notes& As it w#s l#c"ing theirorigin#l letters ! h#lf sus(ected the com(iler of h#'ing #s"ed

le#ding 4uestions or of h#'ing edited the corres(ondence incorro$or#tion of wh#t he h#d l#tentl% resol'ed to see& Th#t iswh% ! continued to feel th#t Wilco7 somehow cogni*#nt ofold d#t# which m% uncle h#d (ossessed h#d $eenim(osing on the 'eter#n scientist& These res(onses from#esthetes told # distur$ing t#le& 8rom .> 8e$ru#r% to . A(ril# l#rge (ro(ortion of the dre#ms $eing imme#sur#$le the strongerduring the (eriod of the scul(tor6s delirium& O'er # fourth ofthose who re(orted #n%thing re(orted scenes #nd h#lf-soundsnot unli"e those which Wilco7 h#d descri$ed) #nd


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some of the dre#mers confessed #cute fe#r of the gig#nticn#meless thing 'isi$le tow#rds the l#st& One c#se which thenote descri$es with em(h#sis w#s 'er% s#d& The su$5ect #widel% "nown #rchitect with le#nings tow#rds theoso(h%#nd occultism went 'iolentl% ins#ne on the d#te of %oungWilco76s sei*ure #nd e7(ired se'er#l months l#ter #fterincess#nt scre#mings to $e s#'ed from some esc#(ed deni*en

of hell& :#d m% uncle referred to these c#ses $% n#me inste#dof merel% $% num$er ! should h#'e #ttem(ted somecorro$or#tion #nd (erson#l in'estig#tion) $ut #s it w#s !succeeded in tr#cing down onl% # few& All of these howe'er$ore out the notes in full& ! h#'e often wondered if #ll theo$5ects of the (rofessor6s 4uestioning felt #s (u**led #s didthis fr#ction& !t is well th#t no e7(l#n#tion sh#ll e'er re#chthem&

The (ress cuttings #s ! h#'e intim#ted touched on c#sesof (#nic m#ni# #nd eccentricit% during the gi'en (eriod&1rofessor Angell must h#'e em(lo%ed # cutting $ure#u forthe num$er of e7tr#cts w#s tremendous #nd the sources

sc#ttered throughout the glo$e& :ere w#s # nocturn#l suicidein London where # lone slee(er h#d le#(ed from # window#fter # shoc"ing cr%& :ere li"ewise # r#m$ling letter to theeditor of # (#(er in 2outh Americ# where # f#n#tic deduces #dire future from 'isions he h#s seen& A dis(#tch fromC#liforni# descri$es # theoso(hist colon% #s donning whitero$es en m#sse for some 6glorious fulfilment6 which ne'er#rri'es whilst items from !ndi# s(e#" gu#rdedl% of seriousn#ti'e unrest tow#rds the end of +#rch& oodoo orgiesmulti(l% in :#iti #nd Afric#n out(osts re(ort ominousmutterings& Americ#n officers in the 1hili((ines find cert#intri$es $othersome #$out this time #nd New or" (olicemen#re mo$$ed $% h%steric#l Le'#ntines on the night of ..-.+#rch The west of !rel#nd too is full of wild rumour #ndlegendr% #nd # f#nt#stic (#inter n#med Ardois-Boonoth#ngs # $l#s(hemous %ream Landscape in the 1#ris s(rings#lon of ,./& And so numerous #re the recorded trou$les inins#ne #s%lums th#t onl% # mir#cle c#n h#'e sto((ed themedic#l fr#ternit% from noting str#nge (#r#llelisms #nddr#wing m%stified conclusions& A weird $unch of cuttings#ll told) #nd ! c#n #t this d#te sc#rcel% en'is#ge the c#llousr#tion#lism with which ! set them #side& But ! w#s thencon'inced th#t %oung Wilco7 h#d "nown of the olderm#tters mentioned $% the (rofessor&

II. THE TALE OF INSPECTOR LEGRASSE

The old m#tters which h#d m#de the scul(tor6s dre#m #nd$#s-relief so signific#nt to m% uncle formed the su$5ect ofthe second h#lf of his long m#nuscri(t& Once $efore it#((e#rs 1rofessor Angell h#d seen the hellish outlines ofthe n#meless monstrosit% (u**led o'er the un"nownhierogl%(hics #nd he#rd the ominous s%ll#$les which c#n$e rendered onl% #s #!thulhu#) #nd #ll this in so stirring #ndhorri$le # connection th#t it is sm#ll wonder he (ursued%oung Wilco7 with 4ueries #nd dem#nds for d#t#&


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This e#rlier e7(erience h#d come in ,=> se'enteen%e#rs $efore when the Americ#n Arch#eologic#l 2ociet%held its #nnu#l meeting in 2t Louis& 1rofessor Angell #s$efitted one of his #uthorit% #nd #tt#inments h#d h#d #(rominent (#rt in #ll the deli$er#tions #nd w#s one of thefirst to $e #((ro#ched $% the se'er#l outsiders who too"#d'#nt#ge of the con'oc#tion to offer 4uestions for correct

#nswering #nd (ro$lems for e7(ert solution&

The chief of these outsiders #nd in # short time the focusof interest for the entire meeting w#s # common(l#ce-loo"ingmiddle-#ged m#n who h#d tr#'elled #ll the w#% fromNew Orle#ns for cert#in s(eci#l inform#tion uno$t#in#$lefrom #n% loc#l source& :is n#me w#s


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(edest#l co'ered with undeci(her#$le ch#r#cters& The ti(sof the wings touched the $#c" edge of the $loc" the se#toccu(ied the centre whilst the long cur'ed cl#ws of thedou$led-u( crouching hind legs gri((ed the front edge#nd e7tended # 4u#rter of the w#% down tow#rds the$ottom of the (edest#l& The ce(h#lo(od he#d w#s $entforw#rd so th#t the ends of the f#ci#l feelers $rushed the

$#c"s of huge fore-(#ws which cl#s(ed the croucher6sele'#ted "nees& The #s(ect of the whole w#s #$norm#ll%lifeli"e #nd the more su$tl% fe#rful $ec#use its source w#sso tot#ll% un"nown& !ts '#st #wesome #nd inc#lcul#$le#ge w#s unmist#"#$le) %et not one lin" did it show with#n% "nown t%(e of #rt $elonging to ci'ili*#tion6s %outh - orindeed to #n% other time&

Tot#ll% se(#r#te #nd #(#rt its 'er% m#teri#l w#s #m%ster%) for the so#(% greenish-$l#c" stone with itsgolden or iridescent flec"s #nd stri#tions resem$lednothing f#mili#r to geolog% or miner#log%& The ch#r#cters#long the $#se were e4u#ll% $#ffling) #nd no mem$er

(resent des(ite # re(resent#tion of h#lf the world6s e7(ertle#rning in this field could form the le#st notion of e'entheir remotest linguistic "inshi(& The% li"e the su$5ect #ndm#teri#l $elonged to something horri$l% remote #nd distinctfrom m#n"ind #s we "now it) something frightfull%suggesti'e of old #nd unh#llowed c%cles of life in which ourworld #nd our conce(tions h#'e no (#rt&

And %et #s the mem$ers se'er#ll% shoo" their he#ds #ndconfessed defe#t #t the ins(ector6s (ro$lem there w#s onem#n in th#t g#thering who sus(ected # touch of $i*#rref#mili#rit% in the monstrous sh#(e #nd writing #nd who(resentl% told with some diffidence of the odd trifle he "new&This (erson w#s the l#te Willi#m Ch#nning We$$ (rofessorof #nthro(olog% in 1rinceton 3ni'ersit% #nd #n e7(lorer ofno slight note&

1rofessor We$$ h#d $een eng#ged fort%-eight %e#rs $eforein # tour of Greenl#nd #nd !cel#nd in se#rch of someRunic inscri(tions which he f#iled to une#rth) #nd whilsthigh u( on the West Greenl#nd co#st h#d encountered #singul#r tri$e or cult of degener#te Es"imos whose religion #curious form of de'il-worshi( chilled him with its deli$er#te$loodthirstiness #nd re(ulsi'eness& !t w#s # f#ith of whichother Es"imos "new little #nd which the% mentioned onl%with shudders s#%ing th#t it h#d come down from horri$l%#ncient #eons $efore e'er the world w#s m#de& Besides

n#meless rites #nd hum#n s#crifices there were cert#in 4ueerheredit#r% ritu#ls #ddressed to # su(reme elder de'il ortornasuknd of this 1rofessor We$$ h#d t#"en # c#reful(honetic co(% from #n #ged angekokor wi*#rd-(riest e7(ressingthe sounds in Rom#n letters #s $est he "new how& But5ust now of (rime signific#nce w#s the fetish which this culth#d cherished #nd #round which the% d#nced when the#uror# le#(ed high o'er the ice cliffs& !t w#s the (rofessorst#ted # 'er% crude $#s-relief of stone com(rising # hideous(icture #nd some cr%(tic writing& And #s f#r #s he could tell


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it w#s rough (#r#llel in #ll essenti#l fe#tures of the $esti#lthing now l%ing $efore the meeting&

These d#t# recei'ed with sus(ense #nd #stonishment $%the #ssem$led mem$ers (ro'ed dou$l% e7citing to !ns(ectorLegr#sse) #nd he $eg#n #t once to (l% his inform#nt with4uestions& :#'ing noted #nd co(ied #n or#l ritu#l #mong the

sw#m( cult-worshi((ers his men h#d #rrested he $esoughtthe (rofessor to remem$er #s $est he might the s%ll#$lest#"en down #mongst the di#$olist Es"imos& There thenfollowed #n e7h#usti'e com(#rison of det#ils #nd # momentof re#ll% #wed silence when $oth detecti'e #nd scientist#greed on the 'irtu#l identit% of the (hr#se common to twohellish ritu#ls so m#n% worlds of dist#nce #(#rt& Wh#t insu$st#nce $oth the Es"imo wi*#rds #nd the Louisi#n#sw#m(-(riests h#d ch#nted to their "indred idols w#s something'er% li"e this - the word-di'isions $eing guessed #tfrom tr#dition#l $re#"s in the (hr#se #s ch#nted #loud)

#'h#nglui mglw#nafh !thulhu $#lyeh wgah#nagl fhtagn.#

Legr#sse h#d one (oint in #d'#nce of 1rofessor We$$ forse'er#l #mong his mongrel (risoners h#d re(e#ted to himwh#t older cele$r#nts h#d told them the words me#nt& Thiste7t #s gi'en r#n something li"e thisF

6!n his house #t R6l%eh de#d Cthulhu w#its dre#ming&6

And now in res(onse to # gener#l urgent dem#nd !ns(ectorLegr#sse rel#ted #s full% #s (ossi$le his e7(eriencewith the sw#m( worshi((ers) telling # stor% to which ! couldsee m% uncle #tt#ched (rofound signific#nce& !t s#'oured ofthe wildest dre#ms of m%th-m#"er #nd theoso(hist #nddisclosed #n #stonishing degree of cosmic im#gin#tion#mong such h#lf-c#stes #nd (#ri#hs #s might $e le#ste7(ected to (ossess it&

On , No'em$er ,=0 there h#d come to New Orle#ns(olice # fr#ntic summons from the sw#m( #nd l#gooncountr% to the south& The s4u#tters there mostl% (rimiti'e$ut good-n#tured descend#nts of L#fitte6s men were in thegri( of st#r" terror from #n un"nown thing which h#d stolenu(on them in the night& !t w#s 'oodoo #((#rentl% $ut'oodoo of # more terri$le sort th#n the% h#d e'er "nown)#nd some of their women #nd children h#d dis#((e#redsince the m#le'olent tom-tom h#d $egun its incess#nt$e#ting f#r within the $l#c" h#unted woods where no

dweller 'entured& There were ins#ne shouts #nd h#rrowingscre#ms soul-chilling ch#nts #nd d#ncing de'il-fl#mes)#nd the frightened messenger #dded the (eo(le couldst#nd it no more&

2o # $od% of twent% (olice filling two c#rri#ges #nd #n#utomo$ile h#d set out in the l#te #fternoon with theshi'ering s4u#tter #s # guide& At the end of the (#ss#$lero#d the% #lighted #nd for miles s(l#shed on in silencethrough the terri$le c%(ress woods where d#% ne'er c#me&


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3gl% roots #nd m#lign#nt h#nging nooses of 2(#nish moss$eset them #nd now #nd then # (ile of d#n" stones orfr#gments of # rotting w#ll intensified $% its hint of mor$idh#$it#tion # de(ression which e'er% m#lformed tree #nde'er% fungous islet com$ined to cre#te& At length thes4u#tter settlement # miser#$le huddle of huts ho'e insight) #nd h%steric#l dwellers r#n out to cluster #round the

grou( of $o$$ing l#nterns& The muffled $e#t of tom-tomsw#s now f#intl% #udi$le f#r f#r #he#d) #nd # curdlingshrie" c#me #t infre4uent inter'#ls when the wind shifted&A reddish gl#re too seemed to filter through the (#leundergrowth $e%ond endless #'enues of forest night&Reluct#nt e'en to $e left #lone #g#in e#ch one of the coweds4u#tters refused (oint-$l#n" to #d'#nce #nother inchtow#rds the scene of unhol% worshi( so !ns(ectorLegr#sse #nd his nineteen colle#gues (lunged on unguidedinto $l#c" #rc#des of horror th#t none of them h#d e'ertrod $efore&

The region now entered $% the (olice w#s one of

tr#dition#ll% e'il re(ute su$st#nti#ll% un"nown #nduntr#'ersed $% white men& There were legends of # hiddenl#"e unglim(sed $% mort#l sight in which dwelt # hugeformless white (ol%(us thing with luminous e%es) #nds4u#tters whis(ered th#t $#t-winged de'ils flew u( out ofc#'erns in inner e#rth to worshi( it #t midnight& The% s#idit h#d $een there $efore D6l$er'ille $efore L# 2#lle $eforethe !ndi#ns #nd $efore e'en the wholesome $e#sts #nd$irds of the woods& !t w#s nightm#re itself #nd to see it w#sto die& But it m#de men dre#m #nd so the% "new enough to"ee( #w#%& The (resent 'oodoo org% w#s indeed on themerest fringe of this #$horred #re# $ut th#t loc#tion w#s$#d enough) hence (erh#(s the 'er% (l#ce of the worshi(h#d terrified the s4u#tters more th#n the shoc"ing sounds#nd incidents&

Onl% (oetr% or m#dness could do 5ustice to the noiseshe#rd $% Legr#sse6s men #s the% (loughed on through the$l#c" mor#ss tow#rds the red gl#re #nd the muffled tom-toms& There #re 'oc#l 4u#lities (eculi#r to men #nd 'oc#l4u#lities (eculi#r to $e#sts) #nd it is terri$le to he#r the onewhen the source should %ield the other& Anim#l fur% #ndorgi#stic licence here whi((ed themsel'es to demoni#cheights $% howls #nd s4u#w"ing ecst#sies th#t tore #ndre'er$er#ted through those nighted woods li"e (estilenti#ltem(ests from the gulfs of hell& Now #nd then the lessorg#ni*ed ulul#tions would ce#se #nd from wh#t seemed #

well-drilled chorus of ho#rse 'oices would rise in singsongch#nt th#t hideous (hr#se or ritu#lF

#'h#nglui mglw#nafh !thulhu $#lyeh wgah#nagl fhtagn.#

Then the men h#'ing re#ched # s(ot where the treeswere thinner c#me suddenl% in sight of the s(ect#cle itself&8our of them reeled one f#inted #nd two were sh#"en into# fr#ntic cr% which the m#d c#co(hon% of the org% fortun#tel%de#dened& Legr#sse d#shed sw#m( w#ter on the


11/25

f#ce of the f#inting m#n #nd #ll stood trem$ling #nd ne#rl%h%(noti*ed with horror&!n # n#tur#l gl#de of the sw#m( stood # gr#ss% isl#nd of(erh#(s #n #cre6s e7tent cle#r of trees #nd toler#$l% dr%& Onthis now le#(ed #nd twisted # more indescri$#$le horde ofhum#n #$norm#lit% th#n #n% $ut # 2ime or #n Ang#rol#could (#int& oid of clothing this h%$rid s(#wn were

$r#%ing $ellowing #nd writhing #$out # monstrousringsh#(ed $onfire) in the centre of which re'e#led $%occ#sion#l rifts in the curt#in of fl#me stood # gre#t gr#nitemonolith some eight feet in height) on to( of whichincongruous in its diminuti'eness rested the no7ious c#r'enst#tuette& 8rom # wide circle of ten sc#ffolds set u( #t regul#rinter'#ls with the fl#me-girt monolith #s # centre hung he#ddownw#rd the oddl% m#rred $odies of the hel(less s4u#tterswho h#d dis#((e#red& !t w#s inside this circle th#t the ring ofworshi((ers 5um(ed #nd ro#red the gener#l direction of them#ss motion $eing from left to right in endless $#cch#n#le$etween the ring of $odies #nd the ring of fire&

!t m#% h#'e $een onl% im#gin#tion #nd it m#% h#'e $eenonl% echoes which induced one of the men #n e7cit#$le2(#ni#rd to f#nc% he he#rd #nti(hon#l res(onses to theritu#l from some f#r #nd unillumined s(ot dee(er within thewood of #ncient legendr% #nd horror& This m#n


12/25

The% worshi((ed so the% s#id the Gre#t Old Ones wholi'ed #ges $efore there were #n% men #nd who c#me to the%oung world out of the s"%& These Old Ones were gonenow inside the e#rth #nd under the se#) $ut their de#d$odies h#d told their secrets in dre#ms to the first m#nwho formed # cult which h#d ne'er died& This w#s th#t

cult #nd the (risoners s#id it h#d #lw#%s e7isted #nd#lw#%s would e7ist hidden in dist#nt w#stes #nd d#r"(l#ces #ll o'er the world until the time when the gre#t(riest Cthulhu from his d#r" house in the might% cit% ofR6l%eh under the w#ters should rise #nd $ring the e#rth#g#in $ene#th his sw#%& 2ome d#% he would c#ll when thest#rs were re#d% #nd the secret cult would #lw#%s $ew#iting to li$er#te him&

+e#nwhile no more must $e told& There w#s # secretwhich e'en torture could not e7tr#ct& +#n"ind w#s not#$solutel% #lone #mong the conscious things of e#rth forsh#(es c#me out of the d#r" to 'isit the f#ithful few& But these

were not the Gre#t Old Ones& No m#n h#d e'er seen the OldOnes& The c#r'en idol w#s gre#t Cthulhu $ut none mights#% whether or not the others were (recisel% li"e him& No onecould re#d the old writing now $ut things were told $% wordof mouth& The ch#nted ritu#l w#s not the secret - th#t w#sne'er s(o"en #loud onl% whis(ered& The ch#nt me#nt onl%thisF 6!n his house #t R6l%eh de#d Cthulhu w#its dre#ming&6

Onl% two of the (risoners were found s#ne enough to $eh#nged #nd the rest were committed to '#rious institutions&All denied # (#rt in the ritu#l murders #nd #'erred th#t the"illing h#d $een done $% Bl#c"-winged Ones which h#dcome to them from their immemori#l meeting-(l#ce in theh#unted wood& But of those m%sterious #llies no coherent#ccount could e'er $e g#ined& Wh#t the (olice did e7tr#ctc#me m#inl% from #n immensel% #ged mesti*o n#medC#stro who cl#imed to h#'e s#iled to str#nge (orts #ndt#l"ed with und%ing le#ders of the cult in the mount#ins ofChin#&

Old C#stro remem$ered $its of hideous legend th#t (#ledthe s(ecul#tions of theoso(hists #nd m#de m#n #nd theworld seem recent #nd tr#nsient indeed& There h#d $een#eons when other Things ruled on the e#rth #nd The% h#dh#d gre#t cities& Rem#ins of Them he s#id the de#thlessChin#men h#d told him were still to $e found #s C%clo(e#nstones on isl#nds in the 1#cific& The% #ll died '#st e(ochs of

time $efore m#n c#me $ut there were #rts which couldre'i'e Them when the st#rs h#d come round #g#in to theright (ositions in the c%cle of eternit%& The% h#d indeedcome themsel'es from the st#rs #nd $rought Their im#geswith Them&

These Gre#t Old Ones C#stro continued were notcom(osed #ltogether of flesh #nd $lood& The% h#d sh#(efor did not this st#r-f#shioned im#ge (ro'e it9 - $ut th#tsh#(e w#s not m#de of m#tter& When the st#rs were right


13/25

The% could (lunge from world to world through the s"%)$ut when the st#rs were wrong The% could not li'e& But#lthough The% no longer li'ed The% would ne'er re#ll%die& The% #ll l#% in stone houses in Their gre#t cit% ofR6l%eh (reser'ed $% the s(ells of might% Cthulhu for #glorious resurrection when the st#rs #nd the e#rth mightonce more $e re#d% for Them& But #t th#t time some force

from outside must ser'e to li$er#te Their $odies& Thes(ells th#t (reser'ed Them int#ct li"ewise (re'entedThem from m#"ing #n initi#l mo'e #nd The% could onl%lie #w#"e in the d#r" #nd thin" whilst uncounted millionsof %e#rs rolled $%& The% "new #ll th#t w#s occurring in theuni'erse for Their mode of s(eech w#s tr#nsmittedthought& E'en now The% t#l"ed in Their tom$s& When#fter infinities of ch#os the first men c#me the Gre#t OldOnes s(o"e to the sensiti'e #mong them $% moulding theirdre#ms) for onl% thus could Their l#ngu#ge re#ch theflesh% minds of m#mm#ls&

Then whis(ered C#stro those first men formed the cult

#round sm#ll idols which the Gre#t Ones showed them)idols $rought in dim er#s from d#r" st#rs& Th#t cult wouldne'er die till the st#rs c#me right #g#in #nd the secret(riests would t#"e gre#t Cthulhu from :is tom$ to re'i'e:is su$5ects #nd resume :is rule of e#rth& The time would$e e#s% to "now for then m#n"ind would h#'e $ecome #sthe Gre#t Old Ones) free #nd wild #nd $e%ond good #nde'il with l#ws #nd mor#ls thrown #side #nd #ll menshouting #nd "illing #nd re'elling in 5o%& Then theli$er#ted Old Ones would te#ch them new w#%s to shout#nd "ill #nd re'el #nd en5o% themsel'es #nd #ll the e#rth

would fl#me with # holoc#ust of ecst#s% #nd freedom&+e#nwhile the cult $% #((ro(ri#te rites must "ee( #li'e thememor% of those #ncient w#%s #nd sh#dow forth the (ro(hec%of their return&

!n the elder time chosen men h#d t#l"ed with theentom$ed Old Ones in dre#ms $ut then something h#dh#((ened& The gre#t stone cit% R6l%eh with its monoliths#nd se(ulchres h#d sun" $ene#th the w#'es) #nd the dee(w#ters full of the one (rim#l m%ster% through which note'en thought c#n (#ss h#d cut off the s(ectr#l intercourse&But memor% ne'er died #nd high (riests s#id th#t the cit%would rise #g#in when the st#rs were right& Then c#me out ofthe e#rth the $l#c" s(irits of e#rth mould% #nd sh#dow% #ndfull of dim rumours (ic"ed u( in c#'erns $ene#th forgotten

se#-$ottoms& But of them old C#stro d#red not s(e#" much&:e cut himself off hurriedl% #nd no #mount of (ersu#sion orsu$tlet% could elicit more in this direction& The si*e of the OldOnes too he curiousl% declined to mention& Of the cult hes#id th#t he thought the centre l#% #mid the (#thless desertsof Ar#$i# where !rem the Cit% of 1ill#rs dre#ms hidden#nd untouched& !t w#s not #llied to the Euro(e#n witch-cult#nd w#s 'irtu#ll% un"nown $e%ond its mem$ers& No $oo"h#d e'er re#ll% hinted of it though the de#thless Chin#mens#id th#t there were dou$le me#nings in the(ecronomiconof


14/25

the m#d Ar#$ A$dul Alh#*red which the initi#ted mightre#d #s the% chose es(eci#ll% the much-discussed cou(letF

Th#t is not de#d which c#n etern#l lieAnd with str#nge #eons e'en de#th m#% die&

Legr#sse dee(l% im(ressed #nd not # little $ewildered

h#d in4uired in '#in concerning the historic #ffili#tions of thecult& C#stro #((#rentl% h#d told the truth when he s#id th#tit w#s wholl% secret& The #uthorities #t Tul#ne 3ni'ersit%could shed no light u(on either cult or im#ge #nd now thedetecti'e h#d come to the highest #uthorities in thecountr% #nd met with no more th#n the Greenl#nd t#le of1rofessor We$$&

The fe'erish interest #roused #t the meeting $%Legr#sse6s t#le corro$or#ted #s it w#s $% the st#tuette isechoed in the su$se4uent corres(ondence of those who#ttended) #lthough sc#nt mention occurs in the form#l(u$lic#tion of the societ%& C#ution is the first c#re of those

#ccustomed to f#ce occ#sion#l ch#rl#t#nr% #nd im(osture&Legr#sse for some time lent the im#ge to 1rofessor We$$$ut #t the l#tter6s de#th it w#s returned to him #ndrem#ins in his (ossession where ! 'iewed it not long #go&!t is trul% # terri$le thing #nd unmist#"#$l% #"in to thedre#m-scul(ture of %oung Wilco7&

Th#t m% uncle w#s e7cited $% the t#le of the scul(tor !did not wonder for wh#t thoughts must #rise u(onhe#ring #fter # "nowledge of wh#t Legr#sse h#d le#rned ofthe cult of # sensiti'e %oung m#n who h#ddreamednotonl% the figure #nd e7#ct hierogl%(hics of the sw#m(-found im#ge #nd the Greenl#nd de'il t#$let $ut h#d comein his dreamsu(on #t le#st three of the (recise words of theformul# uttered #li"e $% Es"imo di#$olists #nd mongrelLouisi#n#ns9 1rofessor Angell6s inst#nt st#rt on #nin'estig#tion of the utmost thoroughness w#s eminentl%n#tur#l) though (ri'#tel% ! sus(ected %oung Wilco7 ofh#'ing he#rd of the cult in some indirect w#% #nd ofh#'ing in'ented # series of dre#ms to heighten #ndcontinue the m%ster% #t m% uncle6s e7(ense& The dre#m-n#rr#ti'es #nd cuttings collected $% the (rofessor were ofcourse strong corro$or#tion) $ut the r#tion#lism of m%mind #nd the e7tr#'#g#nce of the whole su$5ect led me to#do(t wh#t ! thought the most sensi$le conclusions& 2o#fter thoroughl% stud%ing the m#nuscri(t #g#in #ndcorrel#ting the theoso(hic#l #nd #nthro(ologic#l notes

with the cult n#rr#ti'e of Legr#sse ! m#de # tri( to1ro'idence to see the scul(tor #nd gi'e him the re$u"e !thought (ro(er for so $oldl% im(osing u(on # le#rned #nd#ged m#n&

Wilco7 still li'ed #lone in the 8leur-de-L%s Building inThom#s 2treet # hideous ictori#n imit#tion ofse'enteenth-centur% Breton #rchitecture which fl#unts itsstuccoed front #midst the lo'el% Coloni#l houses on the#ncient hill #nd under the 'er% sh#dow of the finest


15/25

Georgi#n stee(le in Americ#& ! found him #t wor" in hisrooms #nd #t once conceded from the s(ecimens sc#ttered#$out th#t his genius is indeed (rofound #nd #uthentic& :ewill ! $elie'e $e he#rd from some time #s one of the gre#tdec#dents) for he h#s cr%st#lli*ed in cl#% #nd will one d#%mirror in m#r$le those nightm#res #nd f#nt#si# whichArthur +#chen e'o"es in (rose #nd Cl#r" Ashton 2mith

m#"es 'isi$le in 'erse #nd in (#inting&

D#r" fr#il #nd somewh#t un"em(t in #s(ect he turnedl#nguidl% #t m% "noc" #nd #s"ed me m% $usiness withoutrising& When ! told him who ! w#s he dis(l#%ed someinterest) for m% uncle h#d e7cited his curiosit% in (ro$inghis str#nge dre#ms %et h#d ne'er e7(l#ined the re#son forthe stud%& ! did not enl#rge his "nowledge in this reg#rd$ut sought with some su$tlet% to dr#w him out&

!n # short time ! $ec#me con'inced of his #$solutesincerit% for he s(o"e of the dre#ms in # m#nner nonecould mist#"e& The% #nd their su$conscious residuum h#d

influenced his #rt (rofoundl% #nd he showed me # mor$idst#tue whose contours #lmost m#de me sh#"e with the(otenc% of its $l#c" suggestion& :e could not rec#ll h#'ingseen the origin#l of this thing e7ce(t in his own dre#m$#s-relief $ut the outlines h#d formed themsel'es in-sensi$l% under his h#nds& !t w#s no dou$t the gi#nt sh#(ehe h#d r#'ed of in delirium& Th#t he re#ll% "new nothingof the hidden cult s#'e from wh#t m% uncle6s relentlessc#techism h#d let f#ll he soon m#de cle#r) #nd #g#in !stro'e to thin" of some w#% in which he could (ossi$l% h#'erecei'ed the weird im(ressions&

:e t#l"ed of his dre#ms in # str#ngel% (oetic f#shion)m#"ing me see with terri$le 'i'idness the d#m( C%clo(e#ncit% of slim% green stone - whose geometry he oddl% s#id w#sall wrong- #nd he#r with frightened e7(ect#nc% thece#seless h#lf-ment#l c#lling from undergroundF#!thulhufhtagn, !thulhu fhtagn.#

These words h#d formed (#rt of th#t dre#d ritu#l whichtold of de#d Cthulhu6s dre#m-'igil in his stone '#ult #tR6l%eh #nd ! felt dee(l% mo'ed des(ite m% r#tion#l $eliefs&Wilco7 ! w#s sure h#d& he#rd of the cult in some c#su#lw#% #nd h#d soon forgotten it #midst the m#ss of hise4u#ll% weird re#ding #nd im#gining& L#ter $% 'irtue of itssheer im(ressi'eness it h#d found su$conscious e7(ressionin dre#ms in the $#s-relief #nd in the terri$le st#tue ! now

$eheld) so th#t his im(osture u(on m% uncle h#d $een #'er% innocent one& The %outh w#s of # t%(e #t once slightl%#ffected #nd slightl% ill-m#nnered which ! could ne'er li"e)$ut ! w#s willing enough now to #dmit $oth his genius #ndhis honest%& ! too" le#'e of him #mic#$l% #nd wish him #llthe success his t#lent (romises&

The m#tter of the cult still rem#ined to f#scin#te me #nd#t times ! h#d 'isions of (erson#l f#me from rese#rches intoits origin #nd connections& ! 'isited New Orle#ns t#l"ed


16/25

with Legr#sse #nd others of th#t old-time r#iding-(#rt%s#w the frightful im#ge #nd e'en 4uestioned such of themongrel (risoners #s still sur'i'ed& Old C#stro unfortun#tel%h#d $een de#d for some %e#rs& Wh#t ! now he#rdso gr#(hic#ll% #t first h#nd though it w#s re#ll% no moreth#n # det#iled confirm#tion of wh#t m% uncle h#d writtene7cited me #fresh) for ! felt sure th#t ! w#s on the tr#c" of #

'er% re#l 'er% secret #nd 'er% #ncient religion whosedisco'er% would m#"e me #n #nthro(ologist of note& +%#ttitude w#s still one of #$solute m#teri#lismas ) wish it stillwere, #nd ! discounted with # most ine7(lic#$le (er'ersit%the coincidence of the dre#m notes #nd odd cuttings collected$% 1rofessor Angell&

One thing which ! $eg#n to sus(ect #nd which ! now fe#r! know is th#t m% uncle6s de#th w#s f#r from n#tur#l& :e fellon # n#rrow hill street le#ding u( from #n #ncient w#terfrontsw#rming with foreign mongrels #fter # c#reless (ush from #negro s#ilor& ! did not forget the mi7ed $lood #nd m#rine(ursuits of the cult-mem$ers in Louisi#n# #nd would not $e

sur(rised to le#rn of secret methods #nd (oison needles #sruthless #nd #s #ncientl% "nown #s the cr%(tic rites #nd$eliefs& Legr#sse #nd his men it is true h#'e $een let #lone)$ut in Norw#% # cert#in se#m#n who s#w things is de#d&+ight not the dee(er in4uiries of m% uncle #fter encounteringthe scul(tor6s d#t# h#'e come to sinister e#rs9 !thin" 1rofessor Angel, died $ec#use he "new too much or$ec#use he w#s li"el% to le#rn too much& Whether ! sh#ll go#s he did rem#ins to $e seen for ! h#'e le#rned much now&

III. THE MADNESS FROM THE SEA

!f he#'en e'er wishes to gr#nt me # $oon it will $e # tot#leff#cing of the results of # mere ch#nce which fi7ed m% e%eon # cert#in str#% (iece of shelf-(#(er& !t w#s nothing onwhich ! would n#tur#ll% h#'e stum$led in the course ofm% d#il% round for it w#s #n old num$er of #n Austr#li#n5ourn#l *ydney Bulletin for ,> A(ril ,.;& !t h#d esc#(ede'en the cutting $ure#u which h#d #t the time of itsissu#nce $een #'idl% collecting m#teri#l for m% uncle6srese#rch&

! h#d l#rgel% gi'en o'er m% in4uiries into wh#t 1rofessorAngell c#lled the 6Cthulhu Cult6 #nd w#s 'isiting #le#rned friend of 1#terson New


17/25

of onl% moder#te length& Wh#t it suggested howe'er w#sof (ortentous signific#nce to m% fl#gging 4uest) #nd !c#refull% tore it out for immedi#te #ction& !t re#d #sfollowsF

MYSTERY DERELICT FOUND AT SEA

+igilantArri'es with :el(less Armed New e#l#nd #cht in Tow& One 2ur'i'or #nd De#d +#n 8ound A$o#rd& T#le of Des(er#te B#ttle #nd De#ths #t 2e#& Rescued 2e#m#n Refuses 1#rticul#rs of 2tr#nge E7(erience& Odd !dol 8ound in :is 1ossession& !n4uir% to 8ollow&

The +orrison Co6s freighter +igilant $ound from#l(#r#iso #rri'ed this morning #t its wh#rf in D#rling:#r$our h#'ing in tow the $#ttled #nd dis#$led $uthe#'il% #rmed ste#m %#cht Alertof Dunedin N whichw#s sighted ,. A(ril in 2& L#titude HI .,6 W& Longitude,;.I ,06 with one li'ing #nd one de#d m#n #$o#rd&

The +igilantleft #l(#r#iso .; +#rch #nd on . A(ril w#sdri'en consider#$l% south of her course $% e7ce(tion#ll%he#'% storms #nd monster w#'es& On ,. A(ril the derelictw#s sighted) #nd though #((#rentl% deserted w#s foundu(on $o#rding to cont#in one sur'i'or in # h#lf-deliriouscondition #nd one m#n who h#d e'identl% $een de#d formore th#n # wee"&

The li'ing m#n w#s clutching # horri$le stone idol ofun"nown origin #$out # foot in height reg#rding whosen#ture #uthorities #t 2%dne% 3ni'ersit% the Ro%#l 2ociet%#nd the +useum in College 2treet #ll (rofess com(lete$#fflement #nd which the sur'i'or s#%s he found in the c#$inof the %#cht in # sm#ll c#r'ed shrine of common (#ttern&

This m#n #fter reco'ering his senses told #n e7ceedingl%str#nge stor% of (ir#c% #nd sl#ughter& :e is Gust#f


18/25

slightl% su(erior $ec#use of their (#rticul#rl% #$horrent #nddes(er#te though r#ther clums% mode of fighting&

Three of "mma6s men including C#(t& Collins #nd 8irst+#te Green were "illed) #nd the rem#ining eight under2econd +#te


19/25

D#te Line - the e#rth4u#"e #nd storm h#d come& 8romDunedin the Alert#nd her noisome crew h#d d#rted e#gerl%forth #s if im(eriousl% summoned #nd on the other side ofthe e#rth (oets #nd #rtists h#d $egun to dre#m of # str#nged#n" C%clo(e#n cit% whilst # %oung scul(tor h#d moulded inhis slee( the form of the dre#ded Cthulhu& . +#rch the crewof the "mmal#nded on #n un"nown isl#nd #nd left si7 men

de#d) #nd on th#t d#te the dre#ms of sensiti'e men #ssumed# heightened 'i'idness #nd d#r"ened with dre#d of # gi#ntmonster6s m#lign (ursuit whilst #n #rchitect h#d gone m#d#nd # scul(tor h#d l#(sed suddenl% into deliriumJ And wh#tof this storm of . A(ril - the d#te on which #ll dre#ms of thed#n" cit% ce#sed #nd Wilco7 emerged unh#rmed from the$ond#ge of str#nge fe'er9 Wh#t of #ll this - #nd of those hintsof old C#stro #$out the sun"en st#r-$orn Old Ones #nd theircoming reign) their f#ithful cultand their mastery of dreamsW#s ! tottering on the $rin" of cosmic horrors $e%ond m#n6s(ower to $e#r9 !f so the% must $e horrors of the mind #lonefor in some w#% the second of A(ril h#d (ut # sto( towh#te'er monstrous men#ce h#d $egun its seige of m#n"ind6s

soul&

Th#t e'ening #fter # d#% of hurried c#$ling #nd#rr#nging ! $#de m% host #dieu #nd too" # tr#in for 2#n8r#ncisco& !n less th#n # month ! w#s in DunedinF wherehowe'er ! found th#t little w#s "nown of the str#nge cult-mem$ers who h#d lingered in the old se# t#'erns&W#terfront scum w#s f#r too common for s(eci#l mention)though there w#s '#gue t#l" #$out one inl#nd tri( thesemongrels h#d m#de during which f#int drumming #nd redfl#me were noted on the dist#nt hills&

!n Auc"l#nd ! le#rned th#t


20/25

2h#"en with such # ment#l re'olution #s ! h#d ne'er$efore "nown ! now resol'ed to 'isit +#te


21/25

horrors th#t filled men6s dre#ms& Once more under controlthe shi( w#s m#"ing good (rogress when held u( $% theAlerton .. +#rch #nd ! could feel the m#te6s regret #s he wrote ofher $om$#rdment #nd sin"ing& Of the sw#rth% cult-fiends onthe Alert he s(e#"s with signific#nt horror& There w#s some(eculi#rl% #$omin#$le 4u#lit% #$out them which m#de theirdestruction seem #lmost # dut% #nd


22/25

st#irc#se& The 'er% sun of he#'en seemed distorted when'iewed through the (ol#ri*ing mi#sm# welling out from thisse#-so#"ed (er'ersion #nd twisted men#ce #nd sus(enselur"ed leeringl% in those cr#*il% elusi'e #ngles of c#r'enroc" where # second gl#nce showed conc#'it% #fter the firstshowed con'e7it%&

2omething 'er% li"e fright h#d come o'er #ll the e7(lorers$efore #n%thing more definite th#n roc" #nd oo*e #nd weedw#s seen& E#ch would h#'e fled h#d he not fe#red the scornof the others #nd it w#s onl% h#lf-he#rtedl% th#t the%se#rched - '#inl% #s it (ro'ed - for some (ort#$le sou'enirto $e#r #w#%&

!t w#s Rodrigue* the 1ortuguese who clim$ed u( the footof the monolith #nd shouted of wh#t he h#d found& The restfollowed him #nd loo"ed curiousl% #t the immense c#r'eddoor with the now f#mili#r s4uid-dr#gon $#s-relief& !t w#s


23/25

m#dness&

1oor


24/25

There w#s # $ursting #s of #n e7(loding $l#dder # slush%n#stiness #s of # clo'en sunfish # stench #s of # thous#ndo(ened gr#'es #nd # sound th#t the chronicler would not (uton (#(er& 8or #n inst#nt the shi( w#s $efouled $% #n #crid#nd $linding green cloud #nd then there w#s onl% #'enomous seething #stern) where - God in he#'enJ - the

sc#ttered (l#sticit% of th#t n#meless s"%-s(#wn w#sne$ulousl% recom$ining in its h#teful origin#l form whilst itsdist#nce widened e'er% second #s theAlert g#ined im(etusfrom its mounting ste#m&

Th#t w#s #ll& After th#t


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lovecraft, h p - [ecc] - f049 - the call of cthulhu

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