“Not it, sir; it’s right enough. Right down south in the Parana the river does it lots of times, for the waters there are like a big net all over the land, and— I say, Mr Rob, sir, where’s your gun? There’s a carpincho just yonder among them reeds. Try for it, sir; we can manage with it for a bit o’ roast and boiled.”
Rob seized the piece, and Shaddy pointed out the spot where he was to fire and hit the beast in the shoulder, but just then they were interrupted by a hideous yell.
Chapter Seven.
The First “Tiger.”
The cry, which thrilled Rob and made Brazier and the young Italian seize their weapons, came from one of the Indians, who, axe in hand, had been about to cut up a dead bough he had seized for the fire, when something dark struck him in the chest, sending him backward amongst the low growth, and a magnificent cat-like animal bounded into the middle of the opening, driving the boatmen among the trees and taking up its position in the bright sunshine, with its coat glistening and the brown spots on its tawny hide shining with almost metallic lustre.
And there it stood, with its ears lowered and eyes blazing, looking from one to another of the occupants of the boat, and from them to Shaddy, who leaped ashore knife in hand, while the brute’s tail writhed and twisted as if it were a serpent.
“Hadn’t one of you better shoot?” said Shaddy calmly. “He’s, too much for me with only a knife.”
Just then the Indian who had been knocked down began to crawl cautiously toward the trees.