those made by the horses or the
travellers themselves.

"Do you think," said Baraja, addressing himself to Benito, "that the
jaguar is likely to return again? I have known these animals howl at
night around my hut, and then go off altogether."

"Yes," replied Benito, "that may be when their drinking place is left
free to them. Here we have intercepted their approach to the water.
Besides, here are both men and horses--both food and drink in one place;
it is not likely they have gone away from a spot that promises to
furnish them with both. No, I warrant you, they are still in the
neighbourhood."

At this moment the cry of the jaguar was heard once more, proving the
correctness of Benito's judgment.

"There!" cried he, "just as I said; the beast is nearer too--no doubt
his thirst is increasing--the more so that he is hindered from
approaching the spring. Ha! do you hear that?"

This exclamation was caused by another roar of the jaguar, but evidently
not the one that had been already frightening the travellers--for this
cry came from the opposite side of the camp.

"Ave Maria!" screamed Baraja, in anguish, "the tiger has a wife!"

"You speak true," said Benito, "there are two of them, and they must be
a male and female, since two male jaguars never hunt in company."

"_Carrai_!" exclaimed Cuchillo, "may the devil take me if ever I passed
a night in the company of such a man as this old herdsman. He would
frighten the hair off one's head if he could."

"After all," said Baraja, "I think there can't be much danger, so long
as we have got the horses between us and these terrible brutes."

Unhappily, this chance of safety was not to exist much longer, for just
then the jaguars recommenced their growling, both of them nearer than
ever. The effect upon the horses was now exhibited in a complete
_estampeda_,--for these animals, seeing they could no longer rely upon
their masters for protection, preferred trusting to their heels, and one
and all of them broke away in a wild gallop.

As this last chance of security was gone, the old vaquero, leaving the
fire, approached the spot where Don Estevan and the Senator were seated,
and thus addressed them:--

"Gentlemen," said he, "prudence requires that you will not remain so far
from the rest of us. As you perceive there is danger on both sides, it
will be best that we should all keep close together, and as near the
fire as possible."

The affrighted look of the