Suddenly the wild beast lifted its head, stared into the darkness, and gave a growl of rage.
It had discovered the helpless boy!
CHAPTER XII
WELL-TIMED SHOTS
"I am lost now for sure!"
Such were the words which escaped Dave Fearless' lips as he watched the approach of the jaguar that had entered the cave and leaped the underground stream.
The young diver had long since given up trying to loosen the bonds which held him so tightly to the jagged rocks. Pete Rackley had done his villainous work well, and the efforts to get free had only caused the cords to sink deeply into Dave's wrists and ankles, until now the blood was flowing freely from those members.
And it was this blood which the wild beast of the island forest had scented!
The growl of the jaguar echoed and re-echoed throughout the lonely cave, causing Dave to shiver as with the ague.
It did indeed look as if the young diver's last hour on earth had come.