ort and consolation; and lying
down again, a soothing sleep soon stole over me.

I was aroused by a shout from Ned Gale, who had taken Pedro's place. I
started up, and found the sailor with his pistol in one hand and his
long stick in the other, about to spring into the thicket beyond us.
The fire was almost extinguished, and daylight was appearing. I looked
round for Pedro. To my horror he was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is the young Spaniard?" I exclaimed.

"Follow me," answered Ned, rushing forward.

I seized a lighted branch, and with my stick in the other hand, I leaped
after him. A shriek of terror and agony, which I could not doubt
proceeded from Pedro, served to guide us. It was followed by a savage
roar.

"Save me! save me!" he shrieked.

A movement in the bushes showed us more certainly where he was.

"A wild beast has got hold of the poor fellow!" shouted Ned, bending the
bushes before him as he hurried on.

The branch I held in my hand was of a resinous nature, and burned
brightly. It light showed us in a clear space, under a wide spreading
shrub, poor Pedro on the ground, with a large jaguar standing over him.
The attention of the savage animal had been attracted by our approach,
and he stood glaring fiercely, uncertain whether to carry off his prey
or spring at us. Ned was afraid of firing, lest we should miss the
jaguar and hit Pedro. My torch was of more service than his pistol. I
saw in a moment that the only chance of saving my friend was to frighten
the beast, so, thoughtless of the clanger to myself, I sprung towards
him, and dashed the burning brand in his face. I believe I almost
blinded him. With a roar, denoting pain and terror, he sprang on one
side, when Ned rushed in, and dragged Pedro away from him.

"Fire--now fire," I shouted to Ned, thinking the jaguar was about to
close with us.

He lifted his pistol and fired. He was so close that the ball entered
the beast's head, and, giving a bound forward, he fell to the ground
struggling in mortal agonies. Once again he rose to his feet and
attempted to seize me; but my torch turned him aside, and before he
could reach me he rolled over, and in another instant he was dead. I
looked anxiously to see if Pedro was much hurt, or rather I scarcely
expected to find him alive. At that moment a bright light burst forth,
and I saw to my dismay that the bushes round us were in a fierce blaze.
Ned was carrying Pedro in his arms, and