waterfall.

What was their astonishment, there, to see a large animal, which, in the
strong light behind it from the descending orb, appeared almost of
gigantic proportions.

The beast appeared to be right over their heads; and, as they looked up,
it seemed as if about to jump down on them!

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

THE WILD GOATS.

"Ach, Himmel! What is it?" exclaimed Eric, getting closer to his
brother, who also was at first a bit frightened.

"I sure I don't know," said Fritz, quite perplexed for the moment; but
he was soon reassured, for the animal, which had hitherto presented
itself end on towards them, so that its head and body were humped up
together, now turning sideways, its change of position enabled him
better to judge of its proportions. "Pshaw!" he cried out, "it's only a
goat, after all!"

"A goat?" repeated Eric, still surprised, not catching at once the
meaning of the word.

"Yes; don't you remember that young Glass said there was a flock of
goats on the tableland above the cliff?"

"Oh, I recollect now," said Eric, his mind quite relieved. For the
moment, he really believed that some terrible monster inhabited the
desert island besides themselves; and thought that this unknown animal
might possibly sally forth as soon as the sun set and darkness reigned,
in search of its prey, when he and Fritz would fall victims to its
rapacity. "I did not understand you at first."

"Well, it's all right now, brother, so you need not be afraid. I cannot
wonder at your alarm, however for I was startled, I must confess.
Fancy, me, a soldier, to show such want of nerve! Why, I'm as bad as
you were the other morning when the penguins attacked you!"

"Don't say any more about that, please," pleaded Eric, whose fright of
the birds was still a standing joke with Fritz. "I'm sure when they
rushed at me so fiercely they seemed quite as awful as the sight of that
big brute up there on the cliff, who looked just as if he were going to
leap down on us."

"Very well, we'll let the matter drop, then," said the other, laughing.
"I can't afford to boast of my courage now! If all goes well, laddie,
we will ascend the cliffs to-morrow and have a peep at my gentleman at
closer quarters."

"All right," replied Eric, using his stock phrase for everything; and
then, as it was getting dark, the brothers turned in for the night--the
sailor lad taking particular care, by the way, to see that the door of
the hut was