always hidden among the trees and shrubbery to my right and a

little to my rear, when for the hundredth time I was attracted by

a sound from that direction, and turning, saw some animal running

rapidly through the forest toward me. There was no longer any

effort on its part at concealment; it came on through the underbrush

swiftly, and I was confident that whatever it was, it had finally

gathered the courage to charge me boldly. Before it finally broke

into plain view, I became aware that it was not alone, for a few

yards in its rear a second thing thrashed through the leafy jungle.

Evidently I was to be attacked in force by a pair of hunting beasts

or men.

And then through the last clump of waving ferns broke the figure of

the foremost creature, which came leaping toward me on light feet

as I stood with my rifle to my shoulder covering the point at which

I had expected it would emerge. I must have looked foolish indeed

if my surprise and consternation were in any way reflected upon

my countenance as I lowered my rifle and gazed incredulous at the

lithe figure of the girl speeding swiftly in my direction. But

I did not have long to stand thus with lowered weapon, for as she

came, I saw her cast an affrighted glance over her shoulder, and

at the same moment there broke from the jungle at the same spot at

which I had seen her, the hugest cat I had ever looked upon.

At first I took the beast for a saber-tooth tiger, as it was quite

the most fearsome-appearing beast one could imagine; but it was not

that dread monster of the past, though quite formidable enough to

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