tion, never willingly attacks either man or beast; but the savage
jaguar tries occasionally to make a feast off its carcass by leaping on
its back. When the tapir feels its enemy, it rushes through the forest,
attempting to dislodge it by passing under the low boughs of the trees;
or, should water be near, by plunging in and diving down,--when it
quickly escapes, as the jaguar must either let go its hold or be
drowned. Its teeth being strong and sharp, it can inflict severe wounds
when hunted and brought to bay, though it prefers seeking safety by
flight."

"Faith, doctor, you were fortunate in killing these fellows before they
scented you, or they might have given you some ugly bites," observed
Tim, holding open one of the heads.

Having performed our unpleasant operation, we went down to the river to
wash our hands, while Tim and the black beat the surface to scare away
any alligators which might be prowling about. On our return to the camp
we once more lay down, one of the party as before keeping watch; which
was more than ever necessary, as the dead tapirs were very likely to
attract either jaguars or pumas. We were unmolested, however.

In the morning, mounting our horses, we rode some distance before we
breakfasted. Then we shot all day with a result highly satisfactory to
the doctor, though we met with no adventures worth noting.

In the evening I found that we were not far from Padre Pacheco's abode;
and recollecting my promise to visit him, I proposed that we should go
round that way. To this the doctor and Gerald agreed; and, accordingly,
the next morning, after we had had a few hours' shooting, we turned our
horses' heads in that direction.

On reaching the padre's house we saw no one about. Fearing that he was
ill, I went to the door and knocked, but nobody came. I tried to open
the door; it was bolted. At last, seeing a cottage at some little
distance, I rode towards it, and shouted out,--"Friends, can you tell me
what has become of the padre?"

The door opened, and a native woman rushed out with a child at her back,
exclaiming,--"Has he come back?--has he come back? O senor, we have
lost him!"

"Lost him! How, and when?" I asked.

"Two days ago, when one of our people went to his house it was closed,
and no one was within. Neither the senor padre nor Candela were to be
found. It is said," (and here she dropped her voice to a whisper) "the
Gothos carried them off. They were here, tha