attering of feet again, and I knew now
that it was no fancy, for some animal had touched me, though it was not
likely to be the dog that Jimmy had coaxed away to go wallaby hunting.

There was a curious snuffling noise now, first in one part of the hut,
then in another.

Some animal, then, must have come into the hut, and this, whatever it
was, had been touching and had awakened me. What could it be? I
wondered, as I tried to think what creature was likely to be prowling
about in the darkness.

It could not be a wild pig, and my knowledge of animal life taught me
that it was not likely to be any one of the cat family, for they went so
silently about, while the pattering steps of this creature could be
plainly heard.

We had encountered nothing in our journey that suggested itself as being
likely, and I was beginning to perspire rather profusely with something
very much like utter fright, when I heard the creature, whatever it was,
come close up and begin snuffling about my legs.

"It's coming up to my face," I thought with a chill of horror seeming to
paralyse me, or I am certain that I should have called for help.

So there I lay numbed and helpless, not knowing what to expect, unless
it was to be seized by the throat by some fierce beast of prey, and
perhaps partly devoured before I was dead.

I tried to shriek out, but not a sound came. I tried to move my arms;
to kick out at the creature; but arms and legs had been bound so long
that the circulation as well as sensation had ceased, and I lay like a
mass of lead, able to think acutely, but powerless to stir a limb.

The snuffling noise went on; came to my chest, to my throat, to my face;
and I could feel the hot panting breath of the creature, smell the
animal odour of its skin; and then, when the dread seemed greater than I
could bear, I felt a moist nose touch my face.

Another moment and I felt that the intruder would be burying its fangs
in my throat, and still I could not stir--could not utter sound, but lay
like one in a trance.

Suddenly the animal began to tear at my chest with its claws, giving
three or four sharp impatient scratchings alternately with its feet, and
though I could not see, I could realise that the creature was standing
with its forepaws on my chest.

Then it was right upon me, with its muzzle at my throat, snuffing still,
and then it touched my face with its nose again and uttered a low whine.

That sound broke the spell, fo