“But they don’t cry out at night unless they are disturbed,” said the professor decidedly.
“You think some one is in the woods?” asked Nat.
“I don’t know about a human being. But the fact that you are almost certain that you saw a man prowling about last night, makes it look suspicious.”
“It may be only a panther,” said Mr. Tubbs.
“Possibly. Let us hope that is the case, but in the meantime prepare for trouble; then, if it comes, we can meet it. Master Joe, rouse out Master Bell. Nat, I wish you’d bring me that peculiar-looking gun you were asking me about yesterday when you saw me place it on board.”
The gun referred to was a queer-looking weapon, with a mouth shaped like an old-fashioned blunderbuss. It had an immense barrel, and altogether was a very odd-looking weapon. Nat knew where it stood in the gun-rack and soon fetched it. The professor examined the lock and appeared to find everything satisfactory.
“What kind of a gun is that?” asked Nat, full of interest.
“I don’t want to say much about it till I see how it works,” said the professor. “It is the invention of a friend of mine. If we are attacked it will be a fine opportunity to test it.”
Nat would like to have asked more questions, but at that instant a chorus of cries and shrieks arose from the woods on every side. The cries were uttered by roosting birds and monkeys, which had been disturbed by some cause. What that cause was, the professor soon guessed.
“It’s the Caripunas,” he whispered; “almost beyond a doubt. Master Bell, stand by your engines. Tubbs, take up your position at the wheel and be ready to manipulate the searchlight. Master Nat and Master Joe will stand ready to slip the tie-ropes when the word is given.”