n.
It was worse than a vampire bat!"

Notwithstanding this, when he heard that it was one of the largest
sized iguanas ever seen, the professor started through the jungle after
it.

"We can't take it with us if we get it," Tom called after his friend.

"We might take the skin," answered the professor. "I have a standing
order for such things from one of the museums I represent. I'd like to
get it. Then they are often eaten. We can have a change of diet, you
see."

"We'd better follow him," said Tom to Ned. "We'll have to let the
turkeys go for a while. He may get into trouble. Come on."

Off they started through the jungle, trailing after the impetuous
professor who was intent on capturing the iguana. The giant lizard's
progress could be traced by the disturbance of the leaves and
underbrush, and the professor was following as closely as possible.

So fast did he go that Ned, Tom and Mr. Damon, following, lost sight of
him several times, and Tom finally called:

"Wait a minute. We'll all be lost if you keep this up."

"I'll have him in another minute," answered the professor. "I can
almost reach him now. Then---- Oh!"

His voice ended in a scream that seemed to be one of terror. So sudden
was the change that Tom and Ned, who were together, ahead of Mr. Damon,
looked at one another in fear.

"What has happened?" whispered Ned, pausing.

"Don't stop to ask--come on!" shouted Tom.

At that instant again came the voice of the savant.

"Tom! Ned!" he gasped, rather than cried.

"I'm caught in the coils! Quick--quick if you would save me!"

"In the coils!" repeated Ned. "What does he mean? Can the giant
iguana----"

Tom Swift did not stop to answer. With his electric rifle in
readiness, he leaped forward through the jungle.

CHAPTER XVI

A MEETING IN THE JUNGLE

Before Tom and Ned reached the place whence Professor Bumper had
called, they heard strange noises, other than the imploring voice of
their friend. It seemed as though some great body was threshing about
in the jungle, lashing the trees, bushes and leaves about, and when the
two young men, followed by Mr. Damon, reached the scene they saw that,
in a measure, this really accounted for what they heard.

Something like a great whip was beating about close to two trees that
grew near together. And then, when the storm of twigs, leaves and
dirt, caused by the leaping, threshing thing ceased for a moment, the
onlookers saw