150 Winkle: the Eel-Man 



This had been an earlier experience, and a 

 later one, too, of mine. I was more sorry 

 than surprised. It were foolish to attempt to 

 attain to Winkle's excellencies in their pecu- 

 liar lines. 



This strange man did not have ordinary 

 human eyes. The four senses of touch, 

 hearing, smell, and sight had been so devel- 

 oped by constant use that he had brought 

 them to the perfe&ion that characterizes 

 such wild animals as are forced to depend on 

 them for their food and safety. The physi- 

 ologist may laugh at this, and say it is im- 

 possible, but I long ago learned to laugh at 

 the doftors. All that I have written was 

 true of Winkle. He was too extraordinary 

 a character to be described. The charge 

 of exaggeration would surely follow ; and 

 yet it is unwise to stand in awe of critics. 

 Not one of them ever saw the man. I knew 

 him well, and he has been heard to say I 

 was the only friend he ever had. I have 

 said that he could not be described, but let 

 me try. He was tall and slim, and his head 

 was like his body, so that it pointed him off 

 something like a clumsily-sharpened lead- 

 pencil. His arms were snake-like, and, as a 



