“It may have been nothing but a jaguar or a prowling puma,” said the professor. “Are you sure your eyes didn’t deceive you?” he inquired of Nat.
“As I said, there’s a bare chance I might have been mistaken,” rejoined the lad, “but I don’t think so. However, the instant that I looked, the figure vanished.”
“It’s very strange,” mused the professor, “and yet it may have been an Indian, little as I like to think of such a contingency. However, we will keep a sharp watch to-night, and be prepared to ‘slip our moorings’ at an instant’s notice.”
All agreed that this would be an excellent plan, and forthwith the knots on the mooring ropes were retied, so that one tug from those on board the Discoverer would release the craft and allow her to shoot upwards. Preparations for what all felt was not likely to prove a restful night, were then begun.
The first watch was assigned to Mr. Tubbs and Joe, and would last till midnight. The next one would be assumed by Nat and the professor. Ding-dong Bell, who was still nervous and rather pale from his experience of the afternoon, was to be allowed to slumber all through the night.
He protested loudly against this, demanding to take his share with the rest; but was obliged to be content with the promise that if any trouble occurred he would be routed out to assume charge of the engine. In spite of their apprehensions, Nat and the professor slept as soundly as Ding-dong. In fact, it did not seem to Nat that he had been asleep more than a few minutes when Mr. Tubbs aroused him to take his watch.
“All quiet,” was the rubicund-headed one’s response to the professor’s inquiry.
Hardly were the words out of his mouth before the silence of the night was broken by an almost unearthly yell.
“What’s that?” cried Nat, considerably startled.
“Nothing but a screaming monkey,” said Mr. Tubbs. “I’ve heard them in Brazil often.”