“Coral snake,” said Mr. Holton, recognizing the striped body. “Whether it’s poisonous I don’t know. Here is one reptile that cannot easily be distinguished as to whether it is of the harmless or poisonous variety.”
The reptile was no good as a specimen, and they passed it by.
Suddenly Mr. Holton stopped still in his tracks and pointed to a low tree bough not far away. The others looked and then shrank back in awe.
There, resting peacefully in the shaded depths of a limb, was a huge, powerful jaguar, its spotted coat showing in strange contrast to the surrounding jungle.
“Back,” whispered Mr. Holton, slowly raising his rifle.
Carefully the naturalist took aim, while the others stood by with ready rifles.
Bang! The bullet sped true.
There was a terrific pawing and clutching at the bough, but to no avail. A second later the great cat fell to the ground, moved convulsively for a moment, and then lay still.
“Hurrah!” cried Bob. “Our first jaguar.”