"As I look the
Thing comes further over the rail. It is rising, rising, higher and
higher. There are no eyes visible; only that fearful slobbering mouth
set on the
tremendous trunk-like neck;"
"For a few
seconds the hideous creature lies heaped in writhing, slimy coils. Then,
with quick, darting movements, the monstrous head travels along the
deck. Close by the mainmast stand the harness casks, and alongside of
these a freshly opened cask of salt beef with the top loosely replaced.
Then those lips open, displaying
four huge fangs;"
"There, right about the mouth, is a pair of little pig-eyes, that seem to twinkle with a diabolical intelligence."
"There, with
its tail upon the deck and its vast body curled round the mainmast, is
the monster, its head above the topsail yard, and its great claw-armed
tentacle
waving in the air."
"It is
curling and twisting here and there. It is as thick as a tree, and
covered with a smooth slimy skin. At the end is a great claw, like a
lobster's, only a thousand times larger."
William Hope Hodgson, A Tropical Horror
Fantastic! That's how I pictured the beast myself. Who did it? If I was going to get a tattoo, I's get that thing on my forearm.
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