AN OBSTACLE IN THE PATH.
The space was short and the shot sped true. Upon receiving the bullet, the beast emitted a rasping screech and leaped directly upward, as if impelled from a springboard, and falling on its side, rolled over the edge of the precipice, down which it sped, clawing, snarling and bringing the loose dirt streaming after it, until it vanished in the gloomy depths and all became as it was before.
The soldier coolly reloaded his gun, without stirring from his position, turned his head and said in a conversational tone: “Come on; all is well.” Then he resumed his walk, and the pony of Miss Starland, as if all had been clear to him from the first, plodded onward.
“Do you know what that animal was?” called the Señorita from the rear.
“How should I know anything about him?”
“It was a jaguar.”
“Said to be one of the most dangerous animals of your country.”
“I hope you have no fear of that particular one.”
“No, but there must be others.”