278 ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG NATURALIST. 



I was far from feeling ; " if we go on walking we might lose 

 ourselves." 



After cutting some faggots and making a fire in a semicircle 

 round a tree, I lay down with my dear companion beside me, 

 and though I tried hard to conceal it, I could not but feel the 

 gloomiest forebodings. 



About midnight the breeze calmed down, and I closed my 

 eyes that I might the better hear the slightest noise. Several 

 times I thought I caught the faintest vibrations of a dull sound ; 

 but I ultimately attributed these noises to my over-excited 

 imagination. Suddenly a terrible roar re-echoed through the 

 forest and woke up Lucien. 



" What is the matter ? Is it Ch6ma % " 



" No, my boy ; it is a jaguar." 



" Will it come near us 1 " 



" I hope not, but go on with its nocturnal hunting ; anyhow, 

 behind the fire, we have nothing to fear." 



I put Lucien back against the tree and cocked my gun, when 

 the head and bright eyes of a superb jaguar appeared about fifty 

 paces from us. 



