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As he looked at the sleeping monsters near him he determined that the only

solution of his problem was to take them all with him. Number Twelve lay closest

to him, and stepping to his side he nudged him with the butt of the bull whip he

still carried. The creature opened his dull eyes.

Get up," said Number Thirteen.

Number Twelve rose, looking askance at the bull whip.

We are not wanted here," said Number Thirteen. "I am going away and you are

all going with me. We shall find a place where we may live in peace and freedom.

Are you not tired of always being penned up?"

"Yes," replied Number Twelve, still looking at the whip.

"You need not fear the whip," said the young man. "I shall not use it on those

who make no trouble. Wake the others and tell them what I have said. All must

come with me--those who refuse shall feel the whip."

Number Twelve did as he was bid. The creatures mumbled among themselves for

a few minutes. Finally Number Thirteen cracked his long whip to attract their

attention.

"Come!" he said.

Nine of them shuffled after him as he turned toward the outer gate--only Number

Ten and Number Three held back. The young man walked quickly to where they

stood eyeing him sullenly. The others halted to watch--ready to spring upon their

new master should the tide of the impending battle turn against him. The two

mutineers backed away snarling, their hideous features distorted in rage.

"Come!" repeated Number Thirteen.

"We will stay here," growled Number Ten. "We have not yet finished with Maxon."

A loop in the butt of the bull whip was about the young man's wrist. Dropping the

weapon from his hand it still dangled by the loop. At the same instant he

launched himself at the throat of Number Ten, for he realized that a decisive

victory now without the aid of the weapon they all feared would make the balance

of his work easier.

The brute met the charge with lowered head and outstretched hands, and in

another second they were locked in a clinch, tearing at one another like two great

gorillas. For a moment Number Three stood watching the battle, and then he too

sprang in to aid his fellow mutineer. Number Thirteen was striking heavy blows

with his giant hands upon the face and head of his antagonist, while the long,

The Monster Men