They lay down side by side on the grass with their rifles at their shoulders.
"I can see them now, Dias," Harry whispered, "not more than fifty yards away. I think we could hardly miss them now."
"You could not if it were daylight, señor; but in the dark, when you can't see the end of your rifle, you can never be certain about shooting."
The beasts had now apparently made up their minds to attack. They crouched low, almost dragging their bellies on the ground, and one was somewhat in advance of the other.
"That is the male ahead," Dias whispered. "Do you and your brother take aim. I will take the female, and José will hold his fire of buck-shot till she is within a length of us."
"How shall I know when it is going to spring?"
"When it stops, señor. It is sure to stop before it springs."
"Aim between the eyes, Bertie, and fire when I do," Harry whispered to his brother, who was lying next to him.
When within twelve yards the jaguar halted.
"Now!" Harry said, and they discharged their rifles at the same moment, and, dropping them, grasped the shot-guns.