"Yes, but for how long," exclaimed Frank; "we have no provisions and no water. How long can we live without them?"
"We must hope to be picked up," said Harry.
"That is our only hope," rejoined Frank, "if we are not—-"
There was no need for him to finish the sentence, even had he been able to, for while he was still speaking a startling thing happened.
The raft was about twenty feet from the shore, but despite the distance a dusky form that had rushed out of the wood with a wild howl, shot through the air and landed fairly upon it.
[Illustration: "With a Wild Howl, Shot Through the Air.">[
With its menacing eyes of green, like balls of angry flame, dull yellow hide, catlike form, and twitching tail, the boys had no difficulty in recognizing it for what it was.
A giant panther.
There was no possibility of escape. As the creature growled menacingly the boys realized that they were practically without means of protection against this new enemy.
As the panther, too, realized its position, it drew back on its haunches and, lashing its tail wickedly, prepared to spring.