Then there was a pause, during which the puma crouched down above Rob’s head, uttering from time to time a low growl, as it watched the jaguar, which began passing its paws alternately over its wounded head and licking them, exactly as a cat would have done on a rug before the fire.
“Doesn’t look like a fight now,” whispered Rob.
“Not just now, sir; he has hauled off to repair damages, and he wants all his strength and lissomeness to tackle a great worm like that. Wait a bit, and you’ll see.”
As he waited, Rob climbed up to where he could reach the puma, hesitating a little before he attempted to touch it, for the animal’s fur was erect, and it was growling and lashing its tail angrily.
But at the sound of the boy’s voice it responded by giving a low whimpering cry, turned to him, and gave its head a roll, as if in answer to a friendly rub.
“That’s right,” said Rob gently; “you’re good friends with me, aren’t you?” and he patted and rubbed the beautiful creature’s head, while it let it lie on the branch, and blinked and purred.
All of a sudden, though, it raised its head excitedly, and Rob could feel the nerves and muscles quivering beneath its soft, loose skin.
Just at the same moment, too, Brazier and Shaddy uttered warning cries to the lad to look out, for the war had recommenced in the next tree, the jaguar having ceased to pass its paws over its head, and assumed a crouching position, with its powerful hind legs drawn beneath it and its sinewy loins contracted, as if preparing to make a spring.
The serpent had noticed the movement, and it too had prepared itself for the fray by assuming as safe a position for defence and menace as the limited space would allow.
Then came another pause, with the jaguar crouching, its spine all in a quiver, and a peculiar fidgeting, scratching movement visible about its hind claws, while the serpent watched it with glittering eyes, its drawn-back head rising and falling slightly with the motion of its undulating form.