The Lost World

by Arthur Conan Doyle

I have an Irish imagination which makes the unknown and the untried more terrible than they are.

I dare say that I could throw myself over a precipice, like the Hun in the history books, if my courage to do it were questioned, and yet it would surely be pride and fear, rather than courage, which would be my inspiration.

"By George, this must be the trail of the father of all birds!"

Interesting how Doyle seems to have accidentally hit the nail on the head.