ight. He appeared calm as if going out in search of a deer.
Tiburcio, at the aspect of the Spanish chief, felt within him that
exultation of spirit which danger produces in certain energetic natures;
but his dagger was the only weapon he possessed.

He cast a glance at the double-barrelled gun which the Senator held in
his hand, and of which the latter was likely to make a use more fatal to
his companions than to the jaguar.

On his part the Senator cast an envious look upon the safe position
which Tiburcio occupied--in the centre of the group formed by Benito and
his companions. Tiburcio read the meaning of this look.

"Senor Senator," said he, "it is not proper that you should expose your
life thus--a life valuable to the state. You have relatives--a noble
family; as for me, if I should be killed, there is no one to care for
me."

"The fact is," said the Senator, "if others set upon my life one half
the value I put upon it myself, my death would cause a great deal of
unhappiness."

"Well, senor, suppose we change places? You give me your gun, and
permit me to place my body in front of you as a rampart against the
claws of the jaguars."

This proposal was made at the moment when the two cavernous voices of
the ferocious beasts were heard loudly answering to one another. Under
the impression produced by the terrible dialogue, Tiburcio's offer was
hastily accepted. The Senator took his place; while the young man, with
sparkling eyes and firm step, advanced several paces in the direction of
the forest whence came theories of the jaguar. There he halted to
receive the attack that appeared inevitable.

Don Estevan and he appeared motionless as a pair of statues. The
unequal reflection of the fire gleamed upon these two men--whom chance
had thus strangely united--neither of whom might yield to the other in
pride or courage.

The moment was becoming critical. The two jaguars were about to find
enemies worthy of them.

The fire, now burnt down, threw out only a pale light, scarce strong
enough to illumine the group that stood near its edge.

At this moment an incident occurred which was likely to cause a change
in the situation of affairs. In the midst of an interval of silence--in
which the very stillness itself increased the apprehension of the
travellers--was heard the long lugubrious whine of a prairie wolf.
Melancholy as was this sound, it was sweet in comparison with the cries
of the more formidabl