Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-24

n
with a laugh, and after we are
- under way you can rest assured that
fkHFH ] shall stay with Arthur in the en-
- gine-room"
While this conversation was going
on, Doctor Burroughs had been making ms ar
rangements with the Indians for the purchase
OF the ieather-work and, when it had come to
a satisfactory conclusion, Val and Pred were
called 10 see that it was slowed away IN the
cabin, for, as they were going TO the schooner,
the articles were to be sent by them, IN order
as George said, TO have the things out Of
the way"
When the BOYS went on board the yacht,
the iaguar dashed against the front OF his
cage as if he would force his way through It,
and both Val and Fred felt that 1t would be
a great relief to them when they had landed
him safely on board the North Star.
Pred and Val slept in the cabin, and Ar
thur Fowler IN the enRine-room, as usual
Perhaps the two former felt a tIIie more
safe because they were at a greater distance
from the laguar than the engineer, but. II
they did, they made no remark, although they
noticed that Arthur closed the door leading
10 the cockpit, regardless OF the Tree clrcula-
tion Of air
Despite the heat and the passenger forward.
al hands slept soundly that night, for they
were thoroughly tired, and no one awakened
until the report OF a gun from the shore
brought them out Of their hammOcks instantly
For a moment the bows thought an attack
had been made on IN ecamp by the Indians
but, as they rushed on deck, they heard
Turn out there on the Midget It's three
O'Clock, and by the time you get steam up Il
VIII be light enough Tor YOU to see your way
down the riveri'
"An Iight!s replied Val. "WeW be of di-
rectly and you may expect to see us back by
ten O'Clock"
DO your best. lads. but don't take any
risks for the sake OF making fast time.
We viii be careful promised Val.
And then he went INTO the cabin 20 make
his toilet, just as he heard Arthur opening
Il vss vet as dark as midnight. and the Ian
terms were lighted both IN the cabin ana the
engine-room, but they did but little toward
L guess we shall be ready as soon as 1t Is
light said Val, as he CROPPED around on the
locker for his hat.
I'm not 30 sure Of that, differed Arthur.
I'll YOU will look out OF the starboari WIN
dows, you viii see the gray streaks In the SKY.
It VIII be daybreak in less than ten minutes
The engineer was right, for before the steam
gauge showed a pressure OF fifteen pounds It
was 50 light that the lanterns were extinguish-
ed, and Val had started forward with Pred
10 heave the cable short, as the first step
toward getting under way.
He had Just gotten into the engine room.
when an unusually loud roar wac heard from
and the futtering of birds Then pertecs 81
lence reigned for an instant, while the three
boys glanced quickly at each other In alright,
and then came the sound as Of a heavy body
lesplng from the cockpit to the hurricane deck.
sirhe jagusri" exclaimed the officers Of the
yacht, standing almost as If paralyzed with
fear.
And before one OF them had time 10 make
any move footsteps were heard on the deck
above. then a thud. showing that the animal
had Jumped on to the quarter.
The guns the guns," shouted Val, as he
started toward the door leading to the cabin,
where the weapons were.
But before he could reach Il there was
rushing sound from the little room. and on
the companonway stood the jaguar, his ewes
cleaning, his lips curled, displaying his long
white teeth. while his tai swept from side
TO SIDE in a way that meant mischief
The boys were indeed defenseless. Al the
weapons were IN the cabin, and for them 10
attmpt 10 fee would surely be to bring the
animal upon them.
A