astaways had kept guard during the night, but
of late this had been done away with, everybody being satisfied that
no harm could befall them during the darkness.

But as the doorway to the house was an open one it had been considered
the duty of one or the other to sleep directly in the opening. This
was Dick's night, and the eldest Rover lay there sleeping soundly
until about two in the morning.

By this time the moon had disappeared and the stars were partly hidden
by some clouds. The night was quiet, save for the hum of insects in
the jungle back of the house and the soft lap-lap of the waves on
the beach of the bay.

Suddenly Dick awoke with a start. He sat bolt upright, wondering what
had brought him to his senses so quickly. He listened intently, but
nothing unusual greeted his ears.

"I must have been dreaming, or something," he thought. "But is queer
I should be so wide.. awake."

At first he was on the point of lying down again, but then concluded
to get up and get a drink of water.

He arose to his feet and stood in the open doorway, gazing into the
darkness. The faint light of a few stars shone in the waters of the
bay, and between the waters and himself he presently saw a dark form
stealing along, close to the ground.

What could that be? Was it something real or only a shadow? Dick
rubbed his eyes and peered out more sharply than ever. It was not a
shadow, but a real form, slowly moving around to the rear of the house.

"An animal, or else a man crawling along," said Dick to himself, and
reached for his gun, which stood close at hand. Then he made up his
mind to investigate, and stepped outside of the doorway for that purpose.

CHAPTER XXVII

A FIGHT WITH A WILD BEAST

As Dick stepped out of the house, gun in hand, the form disappeared
behind a small clump of bushes growing not fifty feet away.

"It's gone," he said to himself, but waited patiently, with his gun
ready for use.

The clouds were increasing, making it darker than ever. Almost holding
his breath, the youth took several steps forward. Then he waited again.

At last the form reappeared, crouched lower than ever, so that it
was almost hidden by the rocks and low brushwood leading to the
jungle. At first Dick imagined the beast, or whatever it was, was
going to retreat to the timber, but soon it appeared to turn back,
as if to make another semicircle, this time around to the rear of
the house.

It must be admitted that D