would now confidently take issue with any who know it not without regard
to their superior size or weight. I will show it thee if thou wilt
promise to keep it secret. Ha!"

As they talked the canoe had drifted close in to the shore, until it lay
directly beneath the gigantic limb of a tree that extended far out over
the water, and from which hung a mesh of stout vines. As he uttered the
exclamation that finished his last sentence. Réné seized hold of a stout
vine, and with a quick jerk drew the light craft in which they were
seated a few feet forward. At the same instant a tawny body was launched
like a shot from the overhanging limb and dashed into the water exactly
at the spot over which, but an instant before, Has-se had sat.

The animal that made this fierce plunge was a panther of the largest
size; and if Réné had not chanced to catch sight of its nervously
twitching tail as it drew itself together for the spring, it would have
alighted squarely upon the naked shoulders of the unsuspecting Indian
lad. Réné's prompt action had, however, caused the animal to plunge into
the water, though it only missed the canoe by a few feet; and when it
rose to the surface it was close beside them.

Has-se seized his paddle, and with a powerful stroke forced the canoe
ahead, but directly into the mesh of trailing vines, in which it became
so entangled that they could not extricate it before the beast had
recovered from his surprise, and had begun to swim towards them.

A bolt was hurriedly fitted to Réné's cross-bow and hastily fired at the
approaching animal. It struck him near the fore-shoulder, and served to
check his progress for a moment, as with a snarl of rage he bit savagely
at the wound, from which the blood flowed freely, crimsoning the water