FRIDAY, JULY THE THIRTIETH
Our stay has been most interesting. Percy is in the Monster Library reading about each monster, then observing it in person through the small glass window. He has photographed each monster— at least all the ones that can be photographed. The vampire has proven impossible to see through the reflection of the camera mirror, but Percy rigged some sort of device that made it work.
SATURDAY, AUGUST THE FIRST
Today we are going on a hunt! Lu Yan keeps a wilderness out back where he can hunt for sport. We have chosen to hunt a were-beast! When a human is bitten by a werewolf, he becomes part man and part wolf. When a beast is bitten by a werewolf it becomes quite an unsettling sort of thing. One can only hunt it to put it out of its misery!
Winchester, the handsome cowboy, seems quite game for some sport! We were divided into hunting parties, and we were each given a partner— one with shooting experience, and one with less or none— and I was very glad to have Mr. Winchester as a partner. He seems so happy to be on the hunt! I admit I was lost in my imagination, fantasizing about us going on many adventures. His strength seems matched with my wits and wiles. When he helped me up onto my horse, my hand took hold of his arm, and
the hair of his arm was soft. I didn ' t expect to find such a feature attractive on a man, as I have always preferred my men to be rather less hairy. And I must admit, I do want to touch his beard, but I can ' t imagine it ' s very lady-like to ask.
I was relieved to see Mr. Longville assigned to Missus Mister. He is not made for shooting, poor dear, and she, as we all know, is quite a crack shot.
As Winchester and I rode through the woods, he said that he was surprised that I was so amiable, as many of the ladies he has met on his adventure have been fools. He wasn ' t sure if he wanted to talk to me at all for fear of it! I hoped that he found me quite amiable and sensible by comparison.
Winchester heard something shortly after we set out, and he commanded our horses down a little hill. He was so confident and assertive at that moment.“ You can control that horse in the woods right? Not many women can. Most Americans like a girl who can ride.”
We rode on at quite a clip, and I wanted to impress him, so I tried to keep up, but I was nearly unseated on a few occasions. After a few moments, something or other spooked my horse, and it stopped, and I ingloriously slid from my saddle and landed in the mud. I was not hurt, but Winchester continued on, and I was left alone. I had my pistol, still, for safety, but it was most unmannerly of him to leave me.
I remounted and followed for a little, but my