Jack Everson fumbled his rifle and looked with sparkling eyes at the beast.
"What a chance for another bull's-eye!" he said, in a low voice. "I would take him right between and above his forelegs, where I should be sure of reaching his heart."
"Don't fire unless he advances to attack us," warned the elder.
It would be hard to say what induced the leopard to retreat, for, as has been said, he is one of the most dangerous denizens of the jungle; but, while our friends were expecting a charge from him, he wheeled about and trotted off.
"It looks as if he had learned something of your skill," remarked the doctor with a smile.
Again, while the words were in the mouth of the speaker, he was interrupted, this time in a more terrifying manner than before.
From the direction of the stream which they had left but a short time previous, and undoubtedly from the boat itself, came the reports of firearms. There were no shouts or outcries, but the firing was rapid and apparently made by gun and pistol.
"They have been attacked!" exclaimed Mary; "we must go to their help!"
She impulsively started along the path, but her father seized her arm and said sternly:
"Remain here! It is no place for you; Jack and I will do what we can."