the spirit of
his companions, for he took no apparent note of the various animals seen
as they passed along, and evidently was on the outlook for the monarch
of the jungle. Having been told by Pedro that he was a celebrated
hunter, Lawrence felt sure that he would lead them to success.

"Why you no shoot de deer an' pepper de alligators, massa?" asked Quashy
at last, after several of the creatures mentioned had been seen and
passed.

"Because I don't want them," returned Lawrence, "and I have no pleasure
in useless destruction of life. Besides, I am anxious to shoot a
jaguar, having a strong wish to take home the claws and skull of one--
the first for my friends, the last for a museum. When we want food I
will shoot deer, or anything else that's eatable."

Quashy remained silent. He seemed to be revolving his master's reply in
a philosophical way, when something between a snarl and a growl turned
his thoughts sharply into another channel.

Tiger quietly prepared his bow and arrows and laid his spears so that
they should be handy. Lawrence and the negro also got ready their
weapons, and then they advanced with caution, dipping their paddles
lightly, and gazing earnestly into the jungle on the right bank of the
stream.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

THE HUNT CONTINUED; ONE OF THE HUNTERS ALMOST CONCLUDED. EXPLORATIONS
INDULGED IN, AND A CAPTURE EFFECTED.

"Dar, massa, dar he is," exclaimed Quashy, in a hoarse whisper, pointing
into the bushes.

"Nonsense, man," replied Lawrence, in a low voice, "it's only an
ant-hill."

Even in that moment of excitement, Lawrence could scarce refrain from
laughter at the face of his humble follower, for Quashy's business in
life had not accustomed him to much sport at any time; and the prospect
of actually assisting at the slaughter of a jaguar or a puma had stirred
every nerve and fibre of his black being into intense excitation, so
that his eyes and nostrils were dilated to the utmost, and he panted
vehemently--with hope, of course, not fear!

Tiger, on the contrary, was cool and calm, though watchful. He paid no
attention whatever to his companions, being too well acquainted with his
work to stand in need of either advice or assistance from them.

As guide, the savage occupied the bow of the canoe; Lawrence sat in the
middle, and Quashy in the stern, for he understood how to steer. Having
been admonished to hold his tongue, he crouched so as, if possible, to
diminish hi