Exiled On Unium

At the same time, an enormous wave appearing out of nowhere almost pitched him from the canoe. Turning, the panic-stricken sailor saw a humongous monstrosity (La-mar), which reminded him of a flesh-eating reptile of Earth's prehistoric times. Towering a good twenty-five yards above the fresh water pool, was a gargantuan head connected to a long neck as thick as a tree trunk. Greg could not see the creature's body, because it was still submerged below water. On the enormous head was a huge set of black eyes, that glared doomfully. Even more terrifying, was the gaping jaws filled with two rolls of sharp pointed teeth. Its lizard slick silverish skin, glistened in the fast-approaching sunset, as water droplets fell back into the lake like raindrops. Greg knew the lake monster was a meat eater. Plant eaters have dull teeth for grinding, not sharp teeth for tearing. The fleeing boater also knew, he may very well be its next meal. Frantic thoughts of escape raced through his mind rapidly, but his muscular system seemed paralyzed he was so numbed with terror. Twice more, the canoe was almost capsized by the waves caused by the long-necked water lizard's movements. Movements, which led it towards the helpless sailor. The stunned spectator realized the gray-colored prehistoric looking dinosaur, was attacking. Abruptly the long-haired youth seemed to snap the freezing panic that had overcome him. Speedily, the canoeist paddled for shore. The frightened boater did not look back, although he could hear the nautical reptilian closing in. It was spine tingling to feel the drops of water falling from rainless skies, and knowing what caused it. There was no way Greg could out distance the lake amphibian by mere paddling, but some of the large waves caused by the charging water beast helped propel him even faster toward shore. Still, the long-necked beast might be able to reach out and grab him before he could reach safety. Nerves at the breaking point, Greg could not resist turning to see how much the terrestrial reptile had gained. The boater's heart seemed to drop to his stomach, when he realized the pursuing colossus was too close for him to escape. Knowing the battle was already lost, but not giving up, the outcast grabbed the spear Will had made him. Tons of fury towered high into the sky in front of him. It was all he could do to fight off the paralyzing terror, that had overwhelmed him moments before. The vulnerable earthling muttered a quick prayer for a quick merciful death, and not a slow agonizing one. Staring death in the face, Greg waited for the dinosaurian attack. The terror frozen man could not help but look into the creature's cold black orbs, as it silently edged forward. As the unmoving vagabond helplessly watched; he knew a man with a high-powered rifle would have little chance against such an enormous foe. A man with a spear was but a joke. Visions of life memories flashed through his mind like a movie, as is often the case when one thinks he is going to die. Then a bizarre thing happened. For no apparent reason, the water dragon stopped its forward progress. The huge silverish lizard could easily have reached the man with its long neck, but for some reason it did not attack. For a couple of seconds, the two just stared at each other through unblinking eyes. Greg numbly thought about unslinging his bow, but it would be little better than the spear, if any. The enfeebled man also thought about grabbing the wooden paddle and retreat once more, but the canoeist was afraid any sudden moves on his part might provoke an attack. Baffled, the man could do nothing but watch the terrible nightmare in front of him. The brawny youth noticed the water was turning muddy, and guessed the giant lizard's massive frame had run into the lagoon bottom. On the spur of a moment, and without warning, the water beast boomed a deafening roar that almost caused the sailor to jump out of the bark canoe. Abruptly, the gargantuan reptile turned and swam into deeper water, leaving the aghast man unharmed. Wasting no time, the leather clad boater hurriedly paddled the remaining few feet to shore. Dumfound and breathless, he watched as the colossal reptilian fearlessly swam away. Unknown to the sailor, many years ago a life-threatening experience happened to the flesh-eating reptile, which was responsible for it being alive at the moment. Once when the monstrosity was a developing infant, it had accidently run aground. Never being out of the water before, the juvenile discovered its body was no longer light, or its movements graceful. Having an exceedingly tough time getting back into the water, the babe was discovered by a pack of hunting dogs (Bar-do). On land the dinosaur baby had no chance against its pack operating foes. If it had not been for the timely rescue of the mother its young life would have ended. Even to this day many hundreds of years later, it had not forgotten that close brush with death. This unforgotten fear of land was the only thing that had saved the lake travelers life.