the most direct was
judged from the fact that the lights, which they saw from their boat,
made the location of the savages fully fifty miles or over from the
northernmost cape where they had been cast ashore a few weeks before.

The travel must, therefore, be to the southwest, and not to the west,
but at the rate they were going, with every hour more difficult, it was
hoped that the new course would in the end be quicker. All of that day
the struggle was a strenuous one, and when night came all were
exhausted, and were ready to retire as soon as the meal was over.

They were in the midst of the thickest forest, and up to this time all
had retired, as they did on this occasion. The yaks were enclosed in a
railing made of small trees, so as to protect them, and the two
mattresses within the covered body made comfortable beds for all.

Strange sounds occasionally disturbed them, but caused no particular
alarm, until Angel began to grow restless, about two in the morning.
George tried to quiet him, but he persisted in giving the alarm.
Suddenly a howl and a shriek awoke the occupants of the wagon and as
each arose he instinctively grasped a weapon. The sounds came from two
animals, one of which was close by; the other at a greater distance.

"The one near us seems to be a wildcat, or an animal which utters a
characteristic shriek of that kind, but I am not sure as to the identity
of the other animal," remarked the Professor, as he listened intently to
the hideous howls and shrieks.

It was pitch dark, so that it was impossible to recognize anything in
the wagon, and of course the dense forests only added to the gloom,
although the sky could be faintly seen directly above them through the
scraggly leaves. The Professor searched for one of the lanterns, when he
heard the yaks becoming uneasy, and running back and forth in the little
enclosure.

John was awake, and his eyes seemed to have a sort of glimmer as the
light flared up. The rear end of the wagon led directly into the pen
where the animals were, and no sooner had the light rays illuminated the
enclosure than a heavy object sprang from an adjoining tree and landed
on one of the yaks.

The latter was thrown across the pen with the impact of the force, and
the Professor, who had the lamp, could not level his gun, but without a
moment's hesitation John's gun was at his shoulder, and he fired before
either of the boys could recover themselves in the excitement.