A LEGEND OF ROEZL 23 



as has been seen, is nil. Why should they limit the 

 family ? We know that obvious reason does not always 

 guide the savage in his habits. But when a painful fact 

 is not assured we may allow ourselves the comfort of 

 doubting it. 



This is all I have been able to collect about a most extra- 

 ordinary people. My informants do not recollect, if they 

 heard, whether the separation of the sexes was peculiar to this 

 clan or general among the Pintado Indians. In fact, I have 

 nothing more to say about them. 



It was here, however, that Roezl met with an adventure 

 which he often told. His hut, as has been mentioned, was 

 the last of the row — a ruin patched up to keep the baggage 

 dry. He always carried a folding tressle and a light board 

 to fix upon it, which made a sort of desk, with a camp-stool 

 to match. One evening he set himself as usual to write labels 

 and memoranda for his herbarium. The description of a curious 

 plant secured that day proved difficult, and darkness had long 

 set in. So absorbed was the enthusiast in dissecting its 

 anatomy that he gave no attention to a loud purr, though 

 conscious of the sound for some moments. At length he 

 raised his eyes. By the open doorway stood a creature whose 

 dusky fur glistened like silk in the lamplight, and great 

 yellow eyes stared into his. It was a black jaguar, rarest 

 and most savage of all felines. 



So they remained, staring. Roezl felt his hour had come. 

 He could not have moved a limb ; his hair rose and the 

 sweat poured down. The jaguar also kept still, purring 

 louder and louder. Its velvet lips were slightly raised, show- 

 ing a gleam of the huge fangs. Presently it drew nearer, 

 still purring — came up to the tressle — arched his back like a 

 cat, and pressed against it. Crash fell desk, lamp, specimen 

 box, camp-stool and enthusiast — a clattering overthrow ! The 

 servants rushed in. No jaguar was there. 



