orts to escape from his paws. He often sorely tried
True's good-temper; while if a pot or pan was left uncovered, he was
sure to have his fingers in it, to examine whether its contents were to
his liking.

We were working at the canoe one morning when I heard Maria's voice
calling to us.

"See what it is she wants, Harry," said John, who was busily employed.

I ran up to the hut.

"O Senor Harry!" exclaimed Maria, "Nimble has scampered off into the
woods, and enticed Toby to go with him; and Senora Ellen has run after
them, and I do not know what may happen if there is no one near to
protect her."

I took up my gun on hearing this, and followed Ellen, whose dress I
caught a glimpse of among the trees. Presently I saw her, as I got
nearer, throw up her hands, as if she had seen some object which had
alarmed her. I hurried on.

"What is it, Ellen?" I shouted out.

"Oh, look there, Harry!" she exclaimed. "They will catch Nimble and
Toby."

I sprang to her side, and then saw, just beyond a thicket of ferns, two
huge pumas, which were on the point of springing up a tree, among whose
branches were clinging our two pets, Nimble and Toby, their teeth
chattering with terror, while their alarm seemed almost to have
paralysed them. In another instant they would have been in the clutches
of the pumas. I was more concerned about my dear little sister's safety
than for that of her monkeys. At first I thought of telling her to run
back to the hut; but then it flashed across me that the pumas might see
her and follow. So I exclaimed, "Get behind me, Ellen; and we will
shout together, and try and frighten the beasts. That will, at all
events, bring John to our help."

We shouted at the top of our voices. I certainly never shouted louder.
Meantime I raised my gun, to be ready to fire should the pumas threaten
to attack us or persist in following our pets. Scarcely had our voices
ceased, when I heard True's bark, as he came dashing through the wood.
The pumas had not till then discovered us, so eagerly had they been
watching the monkeys. They turned their heads for a moment. Nimble
took the opportunity of swinging himself out of their reach. Ellen
shrieked, for she thought they were going to spring at us. I fired at
the nearest, while True dashed boldly up towards the other. My bullet
took effect, and the powerful brute rolled over, dead. The sound of the
shot startled its companion; and, fortunately for gall