f joy,
which was answered by a cheer from the periagua, in which the baritone
of Pouchskin bore a conspicuous part.

Our heroes now believing themselves in for a siege, began to consider
the best means of raising it; when all at once a spectacle came under
their eyes, that guided their thoughts into a far different channel.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS.

Their retreat upward upon the slanting limbs of the tree had brought a
large band of their assailants round to that side; and, just as they
raised their triumphant cry, they saw the peccaries dancing among the
branches that lay extended along the sand-bar. Many of these were
hidden by the flakes of hanging grass already mentioned; but another
fearful creature chanced to have been hidden there also; who now
displayed himself in all his shining majesty--not only to the eyes of
the besieged, but likewise to those of the besiegers. The creature was
a quadruped--one of fearful mien, and dimensions far exceeding that of
the Lilliputian peccaries. It was their natural enemy--the jaguar!

Whether it was the shout that had startled him, or the peccaries had
trodden him out of his lair, or both, certain it was that he now sprang
suddenly out, and with one bound launched himself upon the log. For a
moment he stood cowering on its top, turning his eyes first upon the
branches where the boys had taken refuge, and then in the opposite
direction, towards the woods. He seemed irresolute as to which course
he would take; and this irresolution, so long as it lasted, produced an
unpleasant effect upon our young hunters. Should the jaguar also attack
them, their destruction might be accounted as certain; for the great cat
would either strike them down from their unstable porch, or claw them to
death if they continued to cling to it. Of course, to fall down among
the peccaries would be death, equally certain and terrible.

By good fortune, however, the jaguar at the moment of showing himself
was eagerly assailed by the wild pigs; and it was to escape from their
assault, that he had sprung upward to the log. Thither the peccaries
had pursued him, and were now endeavouring to reach the top of the
dead-wood, just as they had done while after the hunters. The jaguar no
longer stood silent and irresolute; but, uttering loud screams, he
commenced defending himself against the assailing host, striking them
with his broad ungulated paws, and flinging one after ano