off there would be the sensation as
of some creeping insect crawling about over my face and in amongst the
roots of my hair. Then after impatiently knocking it away, something
seemed to be making its way up my sleeve, to be succeeded by something
else in the leg of my trousers, while I had hardly got rid of this
sensation when a peculiarly clammy cold touch taught me that either a
lizard or a snake was crawling over my feet.

This last I felt constrained to bear, for a movement might result in the
bite of some poisonous creature, while by lying still I might escape.

At last I really was dropping off into a sound sleep, when all at once I
started into wakefulness, fascinated as it were by the sight of
something shining in the black darkness to the left of our fire.

With a shudder running through me I rose to my elbow, at the same moment
seizing my gun, when a single intent glance convinced me that I was
right, for certainly some creature was watching the doctor, and probably
crouching before making a deadly bound.

I cocked the piece softly, holding the trigger the while, so that there
should be no sharp click, and in another moment I should have fired,
after careful aim, between the two bright glaring eyes, when the doctor
made a movement, and the animal darted aside and went bounding off, just
giving me a glimpse of its form, which was that of a small deer.

I saw the doctor shade his eyes and stand watching the flying creature.
Then stooping down he picked up a few branches that had been gathered
ready, and made the fire blaze more brightly.

As the glow increased I saw something which there was no mistaking for a
harmless deer, for not ten yards away there was a large cat-like
creature crouching close to the ground, while, to make assurance doubly
sure, there came from between its bared and glistening white teeth a low
angry snarl.

I took aim, and tried to get a good sight at its head, but hesitated to
draw trigger, for the glow from the fire made appearances deceptive, the
body of the cat-like beast seeming to waver up and down; and directly
after the creature moved, and its head was covered by a low bush.

But the doctor and his companion had both seen the animal, which uttered
a menacing roar as the former stepped forward, snatched a piece of
burning wood from the fire, and hurled it towards the beast, his example
being followed by the New Guinea man.

The result was a furious roar, and the great cat