And he pointed to the narrow passage which led up to the fork inside Will Tree.
Carefinotu and he, taking their muskets and revolvers, supplied themselves with cartridges.
And now he turned to make Tartlet follow them into these heights where he had never ventured before.
Tartlet was no longer there. He had started up while his companions were firing.
"Up!" repeated Godfrey.
It was a last retreat, where they would assuredly be sheltered from the wild beasts. If any tiger or panther attempted to come up into the branches of the sequoia, it would be easy to defend the hole through which he would have to pass.
Godfrey and Carefinotu had scarcely ascended thirty feet, when the roaring was heard in the interior of Will Tree. A few moments more and they would have been surprised. The door had just fallen in. They both hurried along, and at last reached the upper end of the hole.
A scream of terror welcomed them. It was Tartlet, who imagined he saw a panther or tiger! The unfortunate professor was clasping a branch, frightened almost out of his life lest he should fall.
Carefinotu went to him, and compelled him to lean against an upright bough, to which he firmly secured him with his belt.