Part 43 (2/2)

I shook my head

”She has a pulse--see! But we must find that water I think she isn't injured; it is her weakened condition from the lack of food that keeps her so Wait for me”

I started out across the cavern in the direction fro off to the right froantic body rose and fell on the ground with a force that seemed to shake the very walls of the cavern

I found the stream with little difficulty, not far away, and returned to Harry Together we carried Desiree to its edge The blood was stubborn, and for a long tith revived her; her eyes slowly opened, and she raised her hand to her head with a faltering gesture

But she was extremely weak, andthat the end was near unless nourishment could be found for her

I stayed by her side, with my arms round her shoulders, and Harry set out with one of the spears He bore off to the left, toward the spot where the body of the immense reptile lay; I was too far away to see it in the darkness

”It isn't possible that the thing is fit to eat,” I had objected, and he had answered me with a look which I understood, and was silenced

Soon a sound as of a scuffle on the rocks cah the darkness from the direction he had taken I called out to ask if he needed er I waited, while the sound continued unabated Once I heard the clatter of his spear on the rock

I was just rising to my feet to run to the scene when suddenly he appeared in the seround what appeared to be the form of some ani Desiree

”A peccary!” I cried, bending over the body of the four-footed creature that lay at his feet ”How the deuce did it ever get down here?”

”Peccary-- down to look at Desiree

”Do peccaries live in the water? Do they have snouts like catfish?

This animal is my own invention There's about ten eous banquet off our late lamented friend And now, let's see”

He knelt down by the still warm body and with the point of his spear ripped it open from neck to rump Desiree stirred about in ood!” cried Harry

I shuddered

He dragged the thing a few feet away, and I heard hi away at it with his spear Aover to us with his hands full of so

That was not exactly a pretty htfully weakened condition, ever et the stuff down and keep it there is beyond me But she did, and I was not behind her And, after all, it was fresh Harry said it was ”sweet” Well, perhaps it was

We bathed Desiree's hands and face and gave her water to drink, and soon after she passed into a seely healthy sleep There was about ten pounds of meat left Harry washed it in the stream and stowed it away on a rock beneath the surface of the water Then he announced his intention of going back forwith you,” I declared ”Here--help me fix Desiree”

”Hardly,” said Harry ”Didn't I say there are s over there? Anyway, there are hundreds If they should happen to scatter in this direction and find her, she wouldn't stand a chance

You take the other spear and stay here”

So I sat still, with Desiree's body in my arms, and waited for him My sensations were not unpleasant I could actually feel the blood quicken in my veins