Part 20 (1/2)

”Bully for us!” shouted the excited Andy, ready to dance in his delight over the success of his labors. ”Didn't we send 'em a flying, though?

Perhaps they just dare to come snoopin' around here again, when they're not asked! Frank, I guess you nailed that critter, all right. Dast we look and see?”

”Sure we will,” returned Frank, instantly. ”Pick up another bit of burning wood. Then let me go just ahead of you, so that I can shoot if I have to.”

They thus boldly advanced toward the spot where Frank had first sighted the blazing yellow orbs.

”I can see something there!” declared Andy, who possessed sharp eyes.

”Yes, it's the beast, all right. But I can't say for sure whether he's down on his back, or crouching for a spring. Careful, not so fast, Andy.” And Frank kept covering the object with his rifle as foot by foot they kept on.

”He's lying on his side! He's a dead duck, all right!” sang out Andy, waving his fire vigorously to and fro.

”You're right, he's stone dead!” observed the other, a touch of natural pride in his voice; for it was no mean feat to kill so ferocious a beast as a jaguar, after seeing only his two eyes s.h.i.+ning in the darkness beyond the fire-light.

Frank stooped down, and catching hold of one of the dead animal's hind legs, started dragging it toward the fire.

”Hold on there,” said Andy; ”don't tell me we're going to have a steak off that old cat? I can stand for a good deal, but I'd go hungry a long time before I'd eat any of _him_!”

”Don't worry about that,” laughed Frank. ”But think what a bully old rug his hide will make some day. I'm going to try and take it off, if I can, while you're getting breakfast in the morning. It's worth while.”

Andy looked as though he doubted the ability of his chum to accomplish the feat; but then he was counting without his host; for when the chance came Frank deftly removed the pelt, and kept it for a reminder of his hazardous shot.

Andy insisted on taking his turn at playing guard, when he found out what time it was. First of all Frank saw that the fire was revived, with plenty of fuel handy. Then, after giving his chum a few last instructions, he consented to lie down. But his sleep could not have been very sound, for frequently he would raise his head, and take a look around; seeing nothing suspicious he would again lie down.

So the night pa.s.sed away.

Frank was on deck an hour and more before the dawn came. He felt too anxious concerning the possibilities of the coming day to sleep much.

So Andy started to get breakfast, such as it was, before the night had really gone. He excused himself by saying that while he was not at all hungry, the operation had to be gone through with, and the sooner he was at it the quicker they might be free to mount upward.

Frank knew what a terrific load was on his chum's mind, and how he thrilled with suspense, now that they were so near the realization of his highest hopes or worst fears.

And so he too set to work to remove the jaguar skin, for it would make a pretty decent rug, if it could be properly preserved.

Morning was just breaking as they sat down to partake of the simple meal. Neither of them seemed to care for much. It was indeed no time for feasting, or making merry, when the day had probably dawned that was to settle their mission, one way or the other.

”One thing good,” remarked Andy, hopefully, ”there doesn't seem to be any strong wind blowing this morning.”

Frank had been studying the lay of the land in the glade.

”I tell you we're going to have all we can do to squeeze up out of here without sc.r.a.ping against any tree before we can rise above them,” he observed, presently.

”But don't you think we can do it?” demanded his chum, anxiously watching his expressive face.

”I think it is possible,” came the slow reply; which after all gave Andy new cause for distrust; since his cousin was so cautious a fellow that he seldom if ever gushed over anything; at the same time he never expressed doubts when he felt positive.

”But!” cried Andy, ”there's no other way to fly; we couldn't take the aeroplane to another place; and I reckon there isn't a cleared field within ten miles of here.”