PROWLER OF THE NIGHT 131 



and clearer. Then it stopped. Long after this 

 the grass rustled gently again ; something was ap- 

 parently moving about, undecided whether to 

 advance. It came on again slowly and after 

 another lapse of time a hesitating footfall sound- 

 ed. Now, against the luminous background, 

 something showed black as it moved warily up 

 to the water's edge. Then came slowly into view 

 the long, lean muzzle of a tapir. There was a 

 soft squelching in the dark, and a sucking noise, 

 as the tapir lowered its nose to the cool liquid 

 at its feet. The moon shone clear out in the open, 

 the gentle night swung on her soft course, the 

 stars twinkled down brightly on the silent scene. 

 All was wrapped in a calm, kindly peace a per- 

 fection of lulling repose that seemed to woo every 

 sense into a feeling of quiet security. But it 

 was the smooth treachery, the deadly dissimula- 

 tion of the jungle by night. 



Suddenly, noiseless as a shadow, another fig- 

 ure joined the first, and two tapirs were now 

 clearly outlined in silhouette. Their muzzles be- 

 gan to go out and down to be quickly raised 

 again with a jerk. Their ears hinged forward, 

 then back, then forward again. They were gaz- 

 ing intently, fixedly into the velvety shadows of 

 the big trees. The lower jaw of the jaguar hung 



