The boys needed no second bidding, and no sooner had they opened out the curve than a strange sight met their gaze.
[CHAPTER VI--"NOT ONE SINGLE DROP OF BLOOD SHED"]
A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
Dick's first shot was a splendid one. It struck the offending cayman in the eye, and went crashing through his brain.
The brute gasped, the blood flowed freely, and as he fell on his side, turning up his yellow belly, the young tapir got free, and was hurried speedily away to the woods.
Volley after volley was poured in on the enraged 'gators, but the boys had to retreat as they fought. Had they not done so, my story would have stopped short just here.
It was not altogether the sun's parting rays that so encrimsoned the water, but the blood of those old-world caymans.