"What are we to do?" gasped Billy.
"I don't see what we can do," was Frank's reply, "our escape is cut off. We shall burn to death."
Indeed it seemed as if the boys were doomed to death in the flames. With incredible rapidity the fire, undoubtedly started by their carelessness in not extinguishing their camp fire, came leaping and roaring through the forest.
Suddenly out of the woods directly in front of them leaped a lithe spotted form, and without glancing to right or left, the creature shot into the sea. It swam quite a distance and then sank.
"A jaguar," exclaimed Ben; "a good thing it was too scared to attack us."
"Yes, I haven't got a cartridge left," said Frank, gazing ruefully at his empty revolver.
"I don't think that would do us much good if you had; we might as well die by a jaguar's teeth and claws as by being burned to death," said Harry.
The boys were now witnesses of a strange scene. Driven by the heat of the fire scores of terrified animals passed them. There were small agoutis or wild pigs, monkeys, birds of various kinds,—including huge macaws and numerous snakes. The creatures paid not the least attention to the boys, but, crazed with fear, made for the sea. The birds alone soared off and doubtless the stronger winged of them reached land.
"If we only had the Golden Eagle here," sighed Frank.
"Hurrah," suddenly shouted Ben, capering about, "hurrah, I've got a plan."