I am writing this under an appreciable mental strain since by tonight shall be no more. Penniless and at the end of my supply drug which alone makes life endurable can bear torture longer cast myself from garret window into squalid street below. Do not think slavery to morphine that a weakling or degenerate. When you have read these hastily scrawled pages may guess though never fully realise why it is must forgetfulness death. It was in one most open least frequented parts broad Pacific packet supercargo fell victim German sea-raider. The great war then its very beginning ocean forces Hun had completely sunk their later degradation so our vessel made legitimate prize whilst we her crew were treated with all fairness consideration due us as naval prisoners. So liberal indeed discipline captors five days after taken managed escape small boat water provisions for good length time. finally found adrift free but little idea surroundings. Never competent navigator could only guess vaguely sun stars somewhat south equator. Of longitude knew nothing island coast-line sight. weather kept fair uncounted drifted aimlessly beneath scorching sun waiting either some passing ship on shores habitable land. But neither ship nor land appeared began despair solitude upon heaving vastnesses unbroken blue. change happened slept. Its details know slumber troubled dream-infested continuous. last awaked discover half sucked slimy expanse hellish black mire extended about me monotonous undulations far see lay grounded distance away. Though might well imagine first sensation would wonder prodigious unexpected transformation scenery reality more horrified than astonished there air rotting soil sinister quality chilled core. region putrid carcasses decaying fish other less describable things saw protruding nasty mud unending plain. Perhaps should hope convey mere words unutterable hideousness dwell absolute silence barren immensity. There nothing within hearing sight save vast reach slime yet completeness stillness homogeneity landscape oppressed nauseating fear. blazing down sky seemed almost cloudless cruelty reflecting inky marsh feet. As crawled stranded realised theory explain position. Through unprecedented volcanic upheaval portion floor been thrown surface exposing regions innumerable millions years lain hidden unfathomable watery depths. extent new risen me detect faintest noise surging ocean strain ears might. Nor any sea-fowl prey dead things. For several hours sat thinking brooding boat side afforded slight shade moved across heavens. day progressed ground lost stickiness likely dry sufficiently travelling purposes short That night slept little next pack containing food water preparatory overland journey search vanished sea possible rescue. On third morning enough walk ease. odour fish maddening too much concerned graver mind evil set out boldly unknown goal. All forged steadily westward guided far-away hummock rose higher elevation rolling desert. encamped following still travelled toward hummock object scarcely nearer when espied it. By fourth evening attained base mound turned appeared distance intervening valley setting sharper relief general surface. Too weary ascend shadow hill. know dreams wild night ere waning fantastically gibbous moon above eastern plain awake cold perspiration determined sleep Such visions experienced endure again. And glow how unwise travel day. Without glare parching sun cost energy now felt quite able perform ascent deterred sunset. Picking up pack started crest eminence. said monotony plain source vague horror me greater gained summit mound looked immeasurable pit canyon whose recesses soared high illumine. edge world peering over rim fathomless chaos eternal night. terror ran curious reminiscences Paradise Lost Satan’s hideous climb through unfashioned realms darkness. climbed sky see slopes perpendicular imagined. Ledges outcroppings rock fairly easy foot-holds descent drop few hundred feet declivity became gradual. Urged impulse cannot definitely analyse scrambled difficulty rocks stood gentler slope beneath gazing Stygian deeps where light penetrated. once attention captured singular opposite slope steeply yards ahead gleamed whitely newly bestowed rays ascending moon. merely gigantic piece stone soon assured myself conscious distinct impression contour position altogether work Nature. A closer scrutiny filled sensations express despite enormous magnitude abyss yawned bottom world young perceived beyond doubt strange well-shaped monolith massive bulk known workmanship perhaps worship living creatures. Dazed frightened without certain thrill scientist’s archaeologist’s delight examined surroundings closely. moon near zenith shone weirdly vividly towering steeps hemmed chasm revealed fact far-flung body flowed bottom winding both directions lapping feet slope. Across wavelets washed Cyclopean monolith surface trace inscriptions crude sculptures. system hieroglyphics unlike anything ever seen books consisting part conventionalised aquatic symbols such fishes eels octopi crustaceans molluscs whales like. Several characters obviously represented marine are modern world decomposing forms observed ocean-risen pictorial carving however did hold spellbound. Plainly visible account size array bas-reliefs subjects excited envy Doré. supposed depict men—at least sort men creatures shewn disporting like fishes waters grotto paying homage monolithic shrine waves well. faces dare speak detail remembrance grow faint. Grotesque imagination Poe Bulwer they damnably human outline webbed hands shockingly wide flabby lips glassy bulging eyes features pleasant recall. Curiously enough chiselled badly proportion scenic background act killing whale larger himself. remarked say grotesqueness size moment decided imaginary gods primitive fishing seafaring tribe tribe descendant perished eras before ancestor Piltdown Neanderthal Man born. Awestruck glimpse past conception daring anthropologist musing queer reflections silent channel me. Then suddenly With churning mark rise thing slid view dark waters. Vast Polyphemus-like loathsome darted stupendous monster nightmares monolith flung scaly arms while bowed head gave vent measured sounds. went mad then. frantic cliff delirious back remember little. believe sang deal laughed oddly unable sing. indistinct recollections storm time reached boat rate heard peals thunder tones Nature utters wildest moods. came shadows San Francisco hospital brought thither captain American picked mid-ocean. In delirium much given scant attention. upheaval Pacific rescuers nothing deem necessary insist believe. Once sought celebrated ethnologist amused him peculiar questions regarding ancient Philistine legend Dagon Fish-God perceiving he hopelessly conventional press inquiries. night especially waning thing. tried morphine has transient surcease drawn clutches hopeless slave. all having written full information contemptuous amusement fellow-men. Often ask if pure phantasm—a freak fever sun-stricken raving man-of-war. This myself does come hideously vivid vision reply. deep shuddering nameless crawling floundering bed worshipping stone idols carving own detestable likenesses submarine obelisks water-soaked granite. dream billows drag reeking talons remnants puny war-exhausted mankind—of sink ascend amidst universal pandemonium. near. hear door immense slippery lumbering against find God hand! window!