some creature which kept always
hidden among the trees and shrubbery to my right and a little to my
rear, when for the hundredth time I was attracted by a sound from that
direction, and turning, saw some animal running rapidly through the
forest toward me. There was no longer any effort on its part at
concealment; it came on through the underbrush swiftly, and I was
confident that whatever it was, it had finally gathered the courage to
charge me boldly. Before it finally broke into plain view, I became
aware that it was not alone, for a few yards in its rear a second thing
thrashed through the leafy jungle. Evidently I was to be attacked in
force by a pair of hunting beasts or men.

And then through the last clump of waving ferns broke the figure of the
foremost creature, which came leaping toward me on light feet as I
stood with my rifle to my shoulder covering the point at which I had
expected it would emerge. I must have looked foolish indeed if my
surprise and consternation were in any way reflected upon my
countenance as I lowered my rifle and gazed incredulous at the lithe
figure of the girl speeding swiftly in my direction. But I did not
have long to stand thus with lowered weapon, for as she came, I saw her
cast an affrighted glance over her shoulder, and at the same moment
there broke from the jungle at the same spot at which I had seen her,
the hugest cat I had ever looked upon.

At first I took the beast for a saber-tooth tiger, as it was quite the
most fearsome-appearing beast one could imagine; but it was not that
dread monster of the past, though quite formidable enough to satisfy
the most fastidious thrill-hunter. On it came, grim and terrible, its
baleful eyes glaring above its distended jaws, its lips curled in a
frightful snarl which exposed a whole mouthful of formidable teeth. At
sight of me it had abandoned its impetuous rush and was now sneaking
slowly toward us; while the girl, a long knife in her hand, took her
stand bravely at my left and a little to my rear. She had called
something to me in a strange tongue as she raced toward me, and now she
spoke again; but what she said I could not then, of course, know--only
that her tones were sweet, well modulated and free from any suggestion
of panic.

Facing the huge cat, which I now saw was an enormous panther, I waited
until I could place a shot where I felt it would do the most good, for
at best a frontal shot at any of the large carnivor