ther back to
the ground, where they lay kicking in the throes of death.

Perhaps it was the presence of mind exhibited by Alexis that brought
matters to a climax, and saved the lives of himself and his brother.
His rifle was still loaded--for it had appeared useless firing into the
midst of two hundred assailants. He knew he could kill only one or two;
and this, instead of frightening them off, would but render the others
more implacable in their resentment. Partly for this reason, and partly
that he had all along held the piece "clubbed" in his hands, he had
reserved his fire. Now was the time to deliver it. The jaguar was even
more to be dreaded than the peccaries--for they were now secure from the
attacks of the latter, whereas they were not only within reach of the
former, but in the very place to which the brute might fancy retreating.
To prevent this contingency, Alexis resolved to give the jaguar his
bullet.

It was but a moment's work to turn the gun in his hand and take aim.
The crack followed quickly; and, on the instant, the hunters had the
gratification to see the great tawny quadruped spring out from the log,
and alight upon the sand--where, in a second's time, he was surrounded
by the dark drove, that from all sides rushed screaming towards him.

It was a bit of good fortune that the bullet of Alexis had only wounded
the jaguar, instead of killing him on the spot. Had he been shot dead,
the peccaries would have torn his beautiful skin to ribbons, and reduced
his quivering flesh to mincemeat, and that within the space of a score
of seconds; but luckily it chanced that the jaguar was only wounded--had
only received a broken leg; and, availing himself of the three that
remained sound, he commenced retreating towards the timber. Thither he
was followed by his thick-skinned assailants; who, transferring their
spite to this new enemy, seemed to forget all about their original
adversaries, who remained quietly perched upon the limbs of the tree!

For some time nothing could be seen but a confused crowd, writhing over
the sand--a dark mass, in the midst of which now and then a bright
yellow object appeared conspicuous, and was then for a time out of
sight; and thus, like a rolling wave, the great drove went surging on,
amidst grunting and screaming, and growling, and chattering of teeth,
till it swept up to the edge of the underwood, and then suddenly
disappeared from the eyes of the spectators!

Whethe