The two shots sounded almost at the same moment, and the birds fell over on to the ground. This double report put to flight all the spoonbills and cranes, and the lake was soon perfectly deserted.
We now took the road leading to the "Palm-tree Villa," and l'Encuerado went on before us to take up his fishing-lines.
The heat became perfectly overpowering, and Sumichrast fell asleep. About half-past three, I went off with Lucien towards that portion of the forest close by the stream, with the intention of collecting insects. First one object, and then another tempted us into the interior, till the oblique rays of the sun admonished us to turn back. But imagine my dismay when, by neglect not to notch the tree-trunks as I passed them, I discovered I did not know in what direction our camp lay.
"Are we lost?" asked the boy, in an anxious tone.
"We have gone too far," said I to the lad; "and perhaps we shall not be able to get back to the 'Palm-tree Villa' this evening. I am going to fire off my gun to attract l'Encuerado's attention."
The report resounded. I listened with an anxiety which increased when I perceived that I had only three cartridges left, and Lucien only retained two charges.
"You had better shoot now," said I to the lad, "so that l'Encuerado may understand that we are signalling to him."
I again listened almost breathlessly, but in vain.
"The head and bright eyes of a superb jaguar appeared about fifty paces from us."