CHAPTER XIII
The Death Struggle
Beside a patch of bushes was a large wildcat, greedily devouring theremains of a small deer. Most of the deer's body has been torn topieces, so that only the head remained intact. There was a terriblestare from the wide eyes that caused Bob to shudder in disgust.
The tiger-cat was evidently very hungry, for it would scarcely biteout one section when it would tear into another, crunching horribly.Occasionally it would shift its position and sample various parts ofthe body. It finally crouched at the stomach, and in no time strippedthe flesh from the bone.
The sight was not wholly to Bob's liking, but he could not tearhimself away. After all, the occasion was not one so terrible. Allwild creatures must eat, and this is the only way they know.
Bob lifted his eyes from the feast to the great cat, and for thefirst time saw how beautifully marked it was. Why had he not noticedthat before? Probably because he was much more impressed by the meal.The wildcat's fur was of a light brown, spotted and barred with blackand darker brown. Its abdomen was pure white, and seemed spotlesslyclean. It looked about four feet long, exclusive of the tail.
"Doesn't look very ferocious," Bob thought, but he knew what wouldprobably happen if the creature were to discover him in its domain.
For several minutes the feast continued, the animal's hunger seemingto increase rather than lessen.
Suddenly there came a rustling sound from behind a low shrub.
Instantly the cat was on its feet, tail erect, eyes staring.
The rustling sound continued, and a moment later another cat of thesame type leaped out into the clearing, took in its surroundingscarefully, and then made for the body of the deer.
But it did not get far. A moment later the first tiger-cat croucheditself and sprang at the invader's throat. Then a terrific combat tookplace, the memory of which was to remain with Bob for many years tocome.
The creatures thrashed constantly about, each trying to inflict adeath wound. They growled horribly, and occasionally one would cry outin pain. Sometimes they reared up on hind legs, biting and tearingfearfully. Then again they would be on top of each other, stamping andtearing to the height of their ability. For nearly five minutes thefight continued, and by now it was evident that the invader wasgetting the worst of it. Instead of being on the offensive it slunkback, trying in vain to ward off the assaults of its enemy. Suddenlyit fell back, as a vital part was pierced. The first tiger-cat hadwon.
A few more minutes were spent in awaiting any further movements fromthe defeated, but as none came the victor resumed its feast.
"All over," Bob muttered to himself. "A swell fight, too. I wouldn'thave missed it for anything. But say! This fellow would be a finespecimen for Dad and Mr. Lewis. I wonder if I can plug him. Don'tthink the dead one will be of much use to them, it's so badly mauled."
The moon was still shining down brightly, and it was nearly as lightas day. This was both an advantage and a disadvantage. True, it wouldbe much easier to get a good aim at the animal, but the light wouldmake Bob much more easily seen. Still he resolved to chance it.
Gripping his rifle firmly, he parted the bushes and rose to his feet.But the slight commotion caused the tiger-cat to turn about, and ragecame into its eyes as they lighted on the youth. What was this newtype of creature that had come to interrupt the feast?
Bob raised his rifle to his shoulder and awaited a chance to fire aneffective shot. But none came. The great cat crouched to spring.
"I've got to get him," said Bob, gritting his teeth.
Then, as the animal launched itself into the air, the youth took rapidbut careful aim and fired.
The bullet sped true, entering the open mouth.
The tiger-cat fell at the boy's feet, twitched about for a moment, andthen lay still.
"Hurrah!" Bob cried, exulted beyond words. "I got him. And what a finespecimen."
The rifle shot had aroused the rest of the expedition, and they camerunning out, wondering what was meant.
"What's up?" demanded Mr. Holton, as he first caught sight of his son.
"Plenty," Bob replied and led them to the bodies of the wildcats.
Everyone cried out in surprise and amazement at sight of the beasts.
"Ocelots," pronounced Mr. Lewis. "I didn't know that they were thiscommon. How did you happen to come across them?"
Bob was obliged to relate the entire experience. He told of how he hadcome across one of the creatures at the body of the deer, of thethrilling combat that took place when the other ocelot arrived, and ofshooting the survivor. The party listened with breathless interest,and even the Indians demanded a translation.
"An unusual happening," said Professor Bigelow, looking at Bob inadmiration and wishing that he had been present.
"Takes old Bob to do it," smiled Joe. "And that required some nerve,too. The first wild animal he's ever met."
"It's a case where the first is one of the most savage," remarked Mr.Lewis, directing a glance at the creature's sharp canine teeth. "Theocelot is next only to the jaguar in ferocity and daring."
"Not much left of the deer he was feasting on," observed Joe. "Isuppose he would have left little more than the skeleton if Bob hadn'tso rudely interrupted him."
Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis procured knives and began the task ofskinning the creatures. It was believed that both could be used, asthe one that had been previously killed was not as badly mauled as Bobhad thought.
In a short time the skinning was completed, and they again retired forthe night, Bob remaining throughout the remainder of his watch.Nothing more happened that night, however, and they awoke the nextmorning to witness a beautiful sunrise. Breakfast was soon over, andthen began the task of breaking camp.
"Let's hurry," urged Professor Bigelow. "We want to cover twenty milestoday, if possible."
"And we will if rapids don't bar our way," said Mr. Lewis.
Soon the belongings were packed in the boats, and they started on upthe river. Meanwhile Bob and Joe were taking motion pictures quiteoften and were always on the lookout for new sights. Many times didthey regret that they had been unable to film Bob's experience of thenight before.
The men kept their time occupied in writing notes and collectingspecimens, which were growing in number hourly. Already there was anabundance of game. Monkeys quite often were crowded in the trees,birds of brilliant plumage were more numerous, various small animalsdarted out, and once Joe caught a glimpse of a wild pig runningthrough the underbrush.
"When are we going ashore?" asked Bob. "Looks like here is a goodchance to get some specimens."
"It undoubtedly is," Mr. Holton returned. "And we would try our lucknow if Professor Bigelow were not anxious to find a strange tribe ofIndians that's reputed to be somewhere in this region. When we locateit we can stop and stay at one spot as long as the professor chooses,for game will probably be abundant, and we will have the chance to getscores of specimens."
That day they made nearly twenty-five miles, and all were delightedthat no rapids loomed up to hinder them.
"There's nothing that puts you at more inconvenience than rapids,"said Professor Bigelow, as they sought out a place to camp for thenight.
They found the spot they wanted beside a rocky knoll, not far from theriver. There was a small open space a short distance away, and to thisthe party made. Again preparations were made for the night, and thenthe evening meal was prepared.
"Let's turn in early," suggested Mr. Holton, after they had finishedeating. "The three Indians in the back boat complained that one of theclamps for an oar is loose, and it may take quite a while to repairit. For that reason we must be up early in the morning."
The clamp, they discovered later, had been split through, making itnecessary to carve out a new one. To do this was not easy, forsuitable wood had to be cut and measurements taken. All told, therewas a delay of over three hours.
"Now let's go," urged Professor Bigelow, his patience almostexhausted.
Day after day the miles were laid behind them in both a pleasant anddisagreeable manner. In times when treacherous rapids offered ahindrance, they struggled unflinchingly, often knee deep in the wateror mud. But there were chances for relaxation, when there was nothingto do but take it easy in the high seats of the boats. Bob and Joecould not fully realize that they were not in a dream but that thiswas the real thing--a wild, untamed land in the very heart of vastAmazonia.
"It's great, Joe, old boy," said Bob, when over a week had passed."I've often visualized this expedition, but my expectations are farsurpassed."
One morning when they were paddling swiftly along, Professor Bigelowuttered a cry of delight and pointed to the bank.
"Indians!" he cried excitedly. "At last we've found a band ofIndians!"