_is_ goold in Callyforny and that wan Larry O'Hale is distined for
to make his fortin' there--so I'll throuble ye for another hunk o' that
pottimus, or wotiver ye call it. Prime prog it is, anyhow."

An earnest discussion here followed as to the probability of gold having
been found in California, and whether it was worth their while to try
their fortune in that direction. During the course of the meal, the
Spaniard incidentally mentioned that on the previous night a tiger had
broken into his enclosure, and injured a bullock so badly that he had
been obliged to kill it, and he had little doubt the same beast would
pay him another visit that night.

This was good news to the travellers, all of whom were keen--though not
all expert--sportsmen.

As evening had already set in, they begged to be allowed to rest for a
little so as to be ready for the tiger when he came. Their host at once
conducted them into a small room, where several hammocks were suspended
from the walls. Into these they quickly jumped, and, in a few minutes,
the concert played by their noses told a tale of sweet repose after a
day of unusual toil.

For several hours they slept, and then the Spaniard awoke them with the
information that the tiger was coming! Up they sprang, as a matter of
course, and with considerable noise too, but Bunco soon impressed them
with the necessity of being quiet. The Spaniard had only two guns, one
of which he handed to Will Osten. The seamen were of necessity left to
be spectators.

It is necessary here to describe the Spaniard's hut, which was peculiar
as to its architecture. It was a mere shed made of bamboo canes closely
placed together, and roofed with large cocoa and other leaves. The
floor was of rough boards covered with matting. The whole structure
stood on the top of a number of strong posts about twelve or fourteen
feet from the ground, and the entrance was gained by a ladder which
could be drawn up at night. The object of this great elevation and the
ladder, was protection from the nocturnal visit of wild beasts such as
tigers or jaguars, as well as monkeys of a large size. In the door of
this hut there was a hole of about two feet square, at which the host
stationed himself with the muzzle of his gun thrust through it. Two
smaller holes in the walls, which served for windows, were used on the
present occasion as loopholes by Will Osten and Bunco.

Perfect silence was maintained for about half an