The Project Gutenberg eBook of Swamp Demons

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Swamp Demons

Author: C. A. Butz

Release date: May 24, 2010 [eBook #32503]
Most recently updated: January 6, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Greg Weeks and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SWAMP DEMONS ***


Transcriber's Note: This e-text was produced from Weird Tales, August-September, 1936. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

Cover of Weird Tales

Swamp Demons

By C. A. BUTZ


The lights that wink across the sodden moor

Like phosphorescent eyes that beckon men

To risk fell footsteps in the treacherous fen,

And sink in loathsome muck, without a spoor—

What ghosts of former days, what dread allure,

Abides within this subterranean den?

Or, reaching out, snares victims to its ken,

With wraith-like fingers, to a peril sure?

'Tis told that evil things lurk out of sight

With human bones that fester in the ooze;

Belike 'tis true, these bones that once were clothed

In fleshly form now harbor deadly spite

Against the living, and this swamp still brews

Within its bubbling depths the curse men loathed

Before they turned to leprous Things of Night!