was short and the shot sped true. Upon receiving the bullet,
the beast emitted a rasping screech and leaped directly upward, as if
impelled from a springboard, and falling on its side, rolled over the
edge of the precipice, down which it sped, clawing, snarling and
bringing the loose dirt streaming after it, until it vanished in the
gloomy depths and all became as it was before.

The soldier coolly reloaded his gun, without stirring from his
position, turned his head and said in a conversational tone: "Come on;
all is well." Then he resumed his walk, and the pony of Miss Starland,
as if all had been clear to him from the first, plodded onward.

"Do you know what that animal was?" called the Senorita from the rear.

"How should I know anything about him?"

"It was a jaguar."

"Said to be one of the most dangerous animals of your country."

"I hope you have no fear of that particular one."

"No, but there must be others."

"They are not plentiful in these mountains; at any rate, the guide
will take good care of you."

A few minutes later, the procession began descending the trail, which
broadened and was partly hidden by undergrowth and trees, that lined
the sides and overshadowed the party at intervals. Several times Miss
Starland had heard an odd chattering, which she could not identify,
but which did not disturb the others. This showed that the soldiers
understood and so long as that was the case, she need not be disturbed
in mind.

In the lowest part of the valley-like depression, where she could
catch only dim glimpses of her guide, she was dreadfully startled by
an object alighting like a feather on her horse directly in front. It
was so close that she instantly saw it was a monkey, which in pure
mischief had dropped from one of the branches and perched itself on
the shoulders of the pony. Looking round at her it chattered and
seemed on the point of climbing upon her head when she struck it so
sharp a cuff that it toppled over sideways from the horse upon the
trail, down which it went clawing and chattering its anger; but,
though, it dropped from sight, it must be believed it suffered no
harm, because of its own nimbleness.

Her friend saw enough to understand what had taken place and called
out:

"I hope you are not frightened, Warrenia; the little fellow meant no
harm."

"But I do not wish his company; you are welcome to it."

"I care little either way, but they are revengeful, and when you cuff