Part 38 (1/2)
Teddy whispered, and almost before the words had been uttered the battle was virtually at an end.
Having relinquished its hold of the tree, and unable to encircle the animal's body with its deadly folds, the boa's strength was useless, and from that time on only the snarling of the jaguar and the thres.h.i.+ng of the serpent could be heard until the fight came to an end.
”What are you going to do?” Neal asked as Poyor raised his weapon when the silence told that the conflict had been decided in favor of the weaker party.
”Kill the beast. There are too many of her kind already, and I shall be doing a favor to those who come after us by reducing the number.”
”Don't shoot; she has proved her right to live, if the theory of the survival of the fittest be correct, and after such a battle it would be cowardly to kill her.”
”If, on the morrow, you should find yourself suddenly seized by her, there would not be so much pity in your heart,” Poyor replied, and before Neal could make any reply the animal had vanished in the thicket.
”There is no longer any question of what should be done,” the Indian said regretfully, after a pause, as he lowered his weapon. ”There is a fine skin for those who care to save it.”
”It can lay there for all I care,” Teddy replied with a laugh. ”Fur in this kind of weather isn't pleasant even to think of. Perhaps in the morning c.u.mmings will fancy it worth his while to carry the hide away.”
”The ants will have devoured it before the sun rises, and since it has no value for you it is well to go to sleep. One of the white men can call you when it is time to stand your share of the watch.”
”Is guard to be kept all night?”
”It would be unsafe for all to sleep. If the jaguars had not met the serpent what would have been the result to those whose eyes were closed in slumber?”
”There is no necessity of saying anything more,” Neal replied with a laugh. ”We will be ready when our turn comes.”
Then, as soon as they could compose themselves sufficiently, the boys surrendered to the demand of slumber, and c.u.mmings must have stood their watch himself, since they were not awakened until another day had come.
Breakfast was already cooked. On a number of gigantic leaves the Indian had spread such food as he could procure: Mangoes without stint; a roasted bird shaped not unlike a goose, and several small, white cones which tasted like radishes.
Except for such articles as bread or vegetables, it was a meal which would have tempted an epicure and to it all hands did full justice.
When their hunger had been satisfied, c.u.mmings said as he shouldered one of the two remaining guns and took up a greater portion of the cartridges:
”It is time we were moving. We can travel reasonably slow, in order that no one may become exhausted; but not an hour must be lost. The way before us is long, even after we reach the sea-sh.o.r.e, and each day wasted is just so much delay in reaching our destination.”
”Now that we are really homeward bound you will have no reason to complain because our powers of endurance are too slight,” Neal replied, as he took up the remaining weapon, and the march was immediately begun.
CHAPTER x.x.x.
A WELCOME CHANGE.
While they were on the mountain where no shade could be found the boys thought that it would be a wonderful relief to gain the shelter of the forest; but after traveling an hour they realized that the heat was nearly as great in one place as another.
Among the trees the rays of the sun did not beat directly down upon them; but to balance this every breath of wind was shut out, and the atmosphere seemed stifling.
The perspiration rolled from their faces in streams, and so great was the humidity that it seemed as if it would be a positive relief to be in the sunlight.
”I reckon you've got a better opinion of mountain travel by this time,”
c.u.mmings said laughingly, as Neal involuntarily halted. ”In such a climate the shade of the trees is a positive discomfort.”