TIIE JAGUAR. 
181 
ture he had with one on the banks of the 
Orinoco. While picking np some spangles 
of mica, he discovered the recent footprints 
of a jaguar; and, on raising his eyes, he saw 
the animal itself lying under a tree about 
eighty paces off. He candidly remarks that 
no tig *r had ever appeared to him half so 
large.” 
“ That was rather worse than hearing the 
panther,” said Annie. “ What did he do ?” 
“ I guess he ran away as fast as he could,” 
said Daisy. 
“ Nothing of the kind, my dear. He 
could not have done a more foolish thing 
than that, as the jaguar would be certain to 
pursue him. He says, 4 1 walked quietly on, 
avoided moving my arms, and I thought 
1 perceived that the jaguar’s attention was 
fixed upon some capybaras which were 
crossing the river. I then began to return, 
making a wide circuit towards the edge of 
the river. As the distance increased, I 
thought I might accelerate my pace. How 
often was I tempted to look back and see 
that I was not pursued! Happily, I yielded 
to this desire very tardily.’ Humboldt and 
his companion came several times in con- 
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