of the waterfall. I
had brought but a small supply of powder, and having shot some birds, I
loaded my gun with my last charge, resolved not to fire it except in
case of necessity. I was tempted, however, to break through my
resolution on seeing a deer burst from the wood and offer a shot I could
not resist. But my gun, for the first time during the day, hung fire;
and when I again pulled the trigger, though it went off, the deer
escaped.

Vexed with my ill-luck, I turned my face up the valley, and arrived
almost close to the spot where I knew my sisters were seated; but what
was my horror to see a huge jaguar stealing through the brushwood, and
on the point of springing towards where I had left them! I mechanically
lifted my gun to my shoulder, but recollected that it was not loaded. I
felt like a person in a dreadful dream, endeavouring to shriek out, but
unable to utter a sound; when, just as the savage brute was about to
make its spring, I caught a glimpse of the tall figure of an Indian on
the opposite bank, and at the same moment an arrow, whizzing through the
air, pierced the jaguar to the heart, and it fell over dead.

I rushed forward, and found Kathleen with her arms thrown round
Margarita's neck, within ten paces of where the jaguar lay. They had
seen the creature, when Margarita had fixed her gaze on its eyes; and by
thus preventing it from making the fatal spring, had given time to the
Indian to shoot it.

On looking out to see what had become of my young sisters' preserver, I
observed him crossing the river; and in another minute he came up to us,
and I recognised our missing friend Kanimapo.

"I warned you not to descend into this valley, my friend," he observed;
"and thankful am I to have preserved you from the jaws of yonder savage
brute. You may have been surprised at my long absence, but it could not
be avoided. I was pursued by my enemies, and compelled to fly towards
the south; when I received intelligence that my own people, supposing
that I had been killed, were about to elect another chief, and that
unless I returned at once I should find a rival, and lose my influence
over them. Instigated by Spanish priests and others, their intention
was to attack the house of Don Fernando, where they expected to find a
rich booty. I arrived in time to prevent them from making the attack,
or electing a chief in my stead. But I must speedily return, as I fear
that, under evil influence, they may