CHAPTER XXIX.
A NOCTURNAL VISITOR.—THE FALL OF A TREE.—A FEARFUL NIGHT.—THE MONKEYS.—MASTER JOB.—ALL RIGHT AT LAST.
After looking at us for a moment, the animal crept cunningly round us, alternately appearing and disappearing behind the trees. I hastened to make up the fire, and then sat down near Lucien, who, gun in hand, was bravely watching the enemy.
"Whatever you do, don't fire," I said.
"If I did, would the animal spring upon us?"
"He would far more likely retreat; but we shall want our ammunition to-morrow."
For an hour the animal kept prowling round, every now and then bounding off. At last it came and sat down about twenty paces from the fire, then stretched itself on the ground and rolled about as if in play; but if we made the slightest movement it immediately got up, and, laying back its ears, showed its formidable teeth. Suddenly a noise as if of breaking branches was heard, followed by reports like those of guns; then came a horrible roar. Lucien, frightened, rushed into my arms.
"What!" said I to him; "don't you remember the noise made by the fall of a tree?"