f the monsters we
dreaded, which had poked its way between the boughs, and was apparently
about to spring on us. Desmond instinctively laid hold of the first
thing which came to hand. This happened to be one of the capybara's
legs which we were about to spit.

"We then seized our sticks to fight for our lives; but the jaguar having
caught the tempting morsel, either satisfied with it, or frightened by
the bright flames and our sticks, which we flourished in his face,
sprang back and bounded away with the meat in his mouth.

"Having repaired our fence, and made it, as we hoped, more secure, we
returned to cook and eat our supper. I confess that neither of us felt
very comfortable on watch that night, lest the jaguar should come back
for a further supply of capybara.

"That was only last night; we little thought at the time how soon our
Robinson Crusoe life was coming to an end. Though pleasant in some
respects, it was not, as you see, without its drawbacks. Directly the
_Supplejack_ hove in sight we recognised her; but having seen the enemy
on the top of the cliffs, we were in great doubt whether we should
succeed in getting off--it seems, indeed, a wonder to me that we were
not killed, and I only hope we feel sufficiently grateful for our
preservation."

"I am afraid, Tom, that we are not, and never can be, sufficiently
grateful for the mercies shown to us," observed Jack gravely. "If we
had not been watched over and taken care of, we should none of us be
here at the present moment. Now, as you and Desmond look somewhat
sleepy, go and turn in."

Gerald was half asleep already, and Tom having given one or two
significant yawns, they were both very glad to obey Jack's order.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

THE SUPPLEJACK REACHES BAXADA DE SANTA FE--PLANS FOR THE PROTECTION OF
THE FLEET WHEN RETURNING--A NIGHT EXPEDITION TO SURVEY AN ISLAND--
ALARM--MAGNIFICENT EXPLOIT--ROCKET BATTERY PEPPERS THE BATTERIES OF SAN
LORENZO TO SOME EFFECT--SQUADRON PASSES UNHARMED--ESCAPE OF THE BOAT--
MONTE VIDEO REACHED.

The _Supplejack_ continued her course up the river, and the following
day got beyond the reach of Rosas' flying artillery. Tom and Gerald,
having been well fed during their adventures, were not much the worse
for them, and after a good night's sleep were well able to return to
their duty. They of course had to repeat their adventures to their own
messmates, and Needham and Snatchblock were also eager to hear