se, that indicated the presence of animals, and a great many of them
too: since at times, several scores of these squeaks and grunts could be
heard uttered simultaneously. Alexis heard the sounds too; but being
less of a keen sportsman than his brother, cared less to go after the
creatures that were making them. He had no objection to Ivan straying a
little out of his way; and promised to wait for him on the open bank.

Had he known what sort of game it was that his brother was going after--
that is, had he been acquainted with the habits of the animals that were
making themselves heard, he would either have gone along with Ivan, or,
what is more likely, would have hindered him from going at all. Alexis,
however, was under the impression that monkeys of some kind were making
the strange noises--for not only are there many species of these in the
forests of the Napo, but some that can imitate the voices of other
animals. Of course, with monkeys, there could be no danger: since none
of the American quadrumana are large enough or strong enough to attempt
an attack upon man.

Ivan had not left the spot more than five minutes, when a loud report,
reverberating among the trees, announced that he had fired his gun; and,
almost in the same instant, a second crack told that both barrels were
now empty.

Alexis was about proceeding to the place to see what his brother had
shot, when all at once his ears were assailed by a loud chorus of
noises--a screaming, and snorting, and grunting,--that seemed to come
from all parts of the wood; while the cracking of sticks, and the
"swishing" of branches, announced a singular commotion--as if some
hundreds of creatures were rushing to and fro through the jungle. At
the same instant was heard the voice of Ivan, crying out in accents of
alarm; while the boy was himself seen breaking his way through the
bushes, and running with all his might in the direction of his brother.
His looks betokened terror, as if some dreaded pursuer was behind him.

"Run! brother--run!" cried he, as he got clear of the underwood; "run
for your life!--they're after me--they're after me!"

It was no time to inquire what pursuers were after him. Evidently, they
were of a sort to be shunned: since they had caused to the courageous
Ivan such serious alarm; and Alexis, without staying for an explanation,
turned, and joined in his brother's flight. Both directed themselves
towards the open sand-spit, in hopes of