their safety. They saw that they were not so bad; and,
encouraged by hope, they made efforts more energetic than ever--both of
them straining every nerve and muscle in their legs and bodies.

The effort was needed; but fortunately it proved sufficient to save
them. Just sufficient: for scarce had they succeeded in getting upon
the log, and drawing their limbs up after them, when the infuriated host
arrived upon the ground, and in a few seconds surrounded them on all
sides. Lucky it was that the log was a large one. It was the dead-wood
of a gigantic silk-cotton--the _bombax ceiba_ of the tropical forests;
and its trunk, being full five feet in diameter, gave them that
elevation above the surface of the sand. Notwithstanding this, they saw
that their safety was not yet quite assured: for the spiteful peccaries,
instead of desisting in their attacks, commenced leaping up against the
log, endeavouring to reach its top, and there assail them. Now and then
one more active than the rest actually succeeded in getting its fore
feet over the ridge of the dead-wood: and, had it not been for the quick
use which our hunters made of the butts of their guns, undoubtedly they
would have been reached. Both stood with their barrels grasped firmly--
now threatening the assailing host, and now punching in the head such of
them as sprang within reach--the peccaries all the while uttering their
angry grunts, and chattering their teeth, as if a hundred strings of
Christmas crackers were being let off at the same time!

In this way the conflict was carried on--the hunters bit by bit working
themselves along the log towards the top branches, which, projecting
higher, appeared to offer a more secure place of retreat. But at
intervals as they advanced, they were compelled to make halt, and deal a
fresh shower of blows to their assailants, who still kept leaping up
from below.

At length the boys succeeded in reaching the projecting limbs of the
tree; and each choosing one strong enough to carry him, they scrambled
up towards their tops. This placed them in a position where they could
set the peccaries at defiance; for although the creatures could now
spring up on the main trunk--which several of them had already done--the
more slender limbs baffled all their efforts at climbing; and such of
them as attempted it were seen to roll off and tumble back upon the
sandbank.

The hunters, now feeling secure, could not refrain from a shout o