"No, only think of the jaguar which will come on your right, while I take charge of the other."
"That's agreed."
Two other louder roars burst forth almost simultaneously.
"The beast is thirsty," Tranquil remarked; "its anger is aroused, and it is coming nearer."
"Good! shall we get ready?"
"Wait a while, our enemies are hesitating; they have not yet reached that paroxysm of rage which makes them forget all prudence."
The Negro, who had risen, sat down again philosophically.
A few minutes passed thus. At intervals the night breeze, laden with uncertain rumour, passed over the hunters' heads, and was lost in the distance like a sigh.
They were calm and motionless, with the eye fixed on space, the ear open to the mysterious noises of the desert, the finger on the rifle-trigger, ready at the first signal to face the still invisible foe, whose approach and imminent attack they, however, instinctively divined.
All at once the Canadian started, and stooped down to the ground.