said Brazier, "and you shall not
have an opportunity for reproaching me again."

"And you ain't offended, sir? In course I'm only like your servant."

"Give me credit for more sense, my man.--You take it to heart, too, both
of you, and keep a bullet in your left-hand barrel."

"For food or enemy," said Shaddy in his deep growl.

"But that's what I meant to do. I thought I had loaded that way," said
Rob.

"Hah--hoo!" ejaculated one of the Indians who was standing with his arms
full of wood close to the spot where the jaguar had disappeared.

"What's the matter, my lad?" said Shaddy, joining him with the others,
when an eager burst of conversation ensued.

"They say as the tiger's lying wounded not far in among the trees.
Bring your guns, gentlemen."

The pieces were eagerly raised and cartridges examined, so that there
should be no further mistake, and then, with the Indian who was knocked
down as a guide, Brazier next with Shaddy, who contented himself with
his knife, and then Rob and Joe and the rest of the Indians, the party
entered the forest, which was so dense that they soon had to take to
Indian file.

But they had not far to go, and in spite of the danger that might be
ahead the leading Indian proved that Shaddy's selection was a good one,
for he went straight on, cutting right and left with his heavy knife to
divide the growth that was in their way, and so on for about fifty
yards, when he stopped short and said a few words to Shaddy.

"Yes. Get back," said the latter, after listening. "Now two guns
forward; but I think he has had enough as it is?"

"Be careful, man!" said Brazier anxiously; "you are unarmed."

"Not quite, sir!" said Shaddy, showing his big knife. "If he jumps on
me he'll jump right on to that point, and if he does, though he may claw
me, it will be his last leap. Silence!"

They all listened, Rob hearing the shriek of some great parrot and the
dull heavy throb of his heart, but from out of the dense growth a little
way ahead he could make out a gurgling moan.

Shaddy gave him a look and a nod.

"No, my lad," he said, "that isn't a frog, nor anything else, but some
animal as has got his death. It's either that tiger, or else it's a
deer he has pulled down on his way. I'll go and see."

"Let me," said Brazier; "and if it is only wounded I can fire again."

"Powder and shot's valuable out here, sir," said Shaddy, "and we mustn't
waste a single charge. Stand fast, and i