“Anyway we’ve got something for our trouble,” said Frank. “I was beginning to think we’d have to go back empty-handed. If we—— What’s that?”
The youth broke off short and looked inquiringly at his chum. From a distance had come a peculiar roar, not unlike that of a lion or tiger.
“Perhaps it’s a puma,” said Mark. “Hark! It’s coming closer!”
They listened once more, and as the sound was repeated, each drew up his gun in readiness to fire. Then they heard a savage snarl, followed by a screeching and yelping.
“Two wild animals fighting,” said Frank. “My how they must be chewing each other up!”
They continued to listen and gradually the sounds became fainter and fainter. Then came a final roar and all became quiet.
“One of them has been killed,” said Mark.
“Yes, and the roaring beast is the victor,” answered Frank. “Shall we go ahead and try to find out what it is?”
“I’d like to know what it is, but I don’t want to run any risk. If it’s a lion—”
“There are no lions here, Frank. But it may be a jaguar, and they are almost as dangerous.”