Evidently the creatures were accustomed to come and drink at night in this place. Finding their haunt occupied they showed their displeasure by their frightful growls.
Suddenly, moving spots of light appeared some twenty yards away. Instantly there was the report of a gun.
Donagan had fired, and a storm of growls replied. His comrades, revolver in hand, were ready to shoot if the wild beasts rushed at the camp.
Baxter, seizing a burning brand, hurled it straight at the glittering eyes; and instantly the growling stopped, and the animals, one of whom should have been hit by Donagan, were lost in the depths of Trap Woods.
"They have moved off," said Cross.
"Good luck to them," said Service.
"Will they come back?" asked Cross.
"That is not likely," said Gordon; " but we will watch till daylight."
Some wood was thrown on the fire which was kept blazing till the day broke. The camp was struck, and the boys ran off into the thicket to see if one of the animals had not been killed.
They found the ground stained with a large patch of blood. The brute had been able to get away, and it would have been easy to recover it if Fan had been sent in search, but Gordon did not think it worth while to go further into the forest. The question arose as to whether they were jaguars or cougars or something as dangerous, but, after all, the important point was that the boys were all safe and sound.
At six o'clock they were off again. There was no time to lose if they were to cover during the day the nine miles between them and French Den.
Service and Webb took care of the young vicugnas, while the mother was quite satisfied to follow Baxter who led her with the string.
There was not much variety in the road. On the left was a curtain of trees, sometimes in masses, sometimes
