Chapter I: Introduction

The dried or mounted skins of animals from out-of-the-way places are familiar to every one who has visited museums and other similar institutions. But, no matter how cleverly arranged, they suggest comparatively little of the creatures' real appearance in their native environment.

The comedies, the tragedies, and the life stories of the untrammelled wild creatures are infinitely more fascinating than a survey of their lifeless and often faded forms, only too frequently collected by the hundreds with little other thought than that of classification or the possession first of rare or undescribed species.

It was with the view of bringing to light the home life of some of the jungle's inhabitants that "The Black Phantom" was written.

Leo E. Miller. Floral Park, Stratford, Conn. August 1, 1922.

CONTENTS PAGE When the Deluge Came 1 Oomah, the Story-teller 30 The Terror of Claws and Fangs 44 As It Was in the Beginning 82 The Struggle for Existence 114 The Cruelty of Tumwah 150 The White Feather 189

ILLUSTRATIONS

Here where he had rested before, he would sleep again Frontispiece

FACING PAGE
Suma waited with bated breath and blazing eyes 96

There was the twang of the bow and the deadly missile whined through the air 208

"Tumwah, send the rain-clouds here" 222

THE BLACK PHANTOM