DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11294#0038
8
DER NEUENHEIMEK.
Then the contest began. The mighty piles of "Kuchens" and
" Königstuhls " which had been steadily accumulating before the com-
batants disappeared in the twinkling of an eye, and loud cries were raised
for fresh supplies. These, on their arrival, met with a like fate. Would
this gorging never stop ? The supplies of the Dorf were rapidly running
short when suddenly I was seized with a feeling that something was
wrong.
I looked around upon my companions. Good Heavens ! What
could be the matter ? Everyone, with eyes darting out of their sockets,
was gazing fixedly at the contestants. Thunderstruck I followed their
gaze.
Surely some vain delusive vision mocked my already bewildered
eyes. But no! It was grim reality. The three heroes were swelling
visibly ! On, on, they ate. and, as each successive kuchen entered their
all-devouring jaws, they grew larger and larger. My eyes remained
rivetted to the spot. Soon the tables had to be removed and the
spectators of this fearful scene had to retire to the furthest corners for
safety's sake.
Still the horrible orgie went on. Larger and larger they grew.
Kuchens and Kiinigstuhls vanished like magic. They were now more
like hugo inflated balloons than human beings; 'Ungry Arnold being
about as large as his two opponents put together. What would happen
when they reached the ceiling ? I trembled to thick. Sheer terror kept
me rooted to the spot. I could not move. My companions seemed to
have all disappeared and I alone, the sole survivor of the erstwhile
merry throng, was left to witness the terrible finale which I knew could
not now be far off. These fiends in human form still ate like furies
possessed.
Not a sound was heard save the monotonous munching and crunching
of pastry which, with an accursed persistency, seemed to keep pace with
the affrighted thumping of my heart against my ribs. The agonies, the
mental tortures I endured during those awful moments are indescribable.
Horrors ! Arnold's head was now less than a foot off the ceiling
and growing fast. I tried to shout but my voice clung to my parched
throat.
It is now only three inches—two—
Oh ! Ye merciful Gods ! One inch—I shut my eyes.
DER NEUENHEIMEK.
Then the contest began. The mighty piles of "Kuchens" and
" Königstuhls " which had been steadily accumulating before the com-
batants disappeared in the twinkling of an eye, and loud cries were raised
for fresh supplies. These, on their arrival, met with a like fate. Would
this gorging never stop ? The supplies of the Dorf were rapidly running
short when suddenly I was seized with a feeling that something was
wrong.
I looked around upon my companions. Good Heavens ! What
could be the matter ? Everyone, with eyes darting out of their sockets,
was gazing fixedly at the contestants. Thunderstruck I followed their
gaze.
Surely some vain delusive vision mocked my already bewildered
eyes. But no! It was grim reality. The three heroes were swelling
visibly ! On, on, they ate. and, as each successive kuchen entered their
all-devouring jaws, they grew larger and larger. My eyes remained
rivetted to the spot. Soon the tables had to be removed and the
spectators of this fearful scene had to retire to the furthest corners for
safety's sake.
Still the horrible orgie went on. Larger and larger they grew.
Kuchens and Kiinigstuhls vanished like magic. They were now more
like hugo inflated balloons than human beings; 'Ungry Arnold being
about as large as his two opponents put together. What would happen
when they reached the ceiling ? I trembled to thick. Sheer terror kept
me rooted to the spot. I could not move. My companions seemed to
have all disappeared and I alone, the sole survivor of the erstwhile
merry throng, was left to witness the terrible finale which I knew could
not now be far off. These fiends in human form still ate like furies
possessed.
Not a sound was heard save the monotonous munching and crunching
of pastry which, with an accursed persistency, seemed to keep pace with
the affrighted thumping of my heart against my ribs. The agonies, the
mental tortures I endured during those awful moments are indescribable.
Horrors ! Arnold's head was now less than a foot off the ceiling
and growing fast. I tried to shout but my voice clung to my parched
throat.
It is now only three inches—two—
Oh ! Ye merciful Gods ! One inch—I shut my eyes.