Soon a sound as of a scuffle on the rocks came through the
darkness from the direction he had taken. I called out to ask if
he needed me, but there was no answer. Ten minutes longer I
waited, while the sound continued unabated. Once I heard the
clatter of his spear on the rock.
I was just rising to my feet to run to the scene when suddenly he
appeared in the semidarkness. He was coming slowly, and was
dragging along the ground what appeared to be the form of some
animal. Another minute and he stood at my side as I sat holding
Desiree.
"A peccary!" I cried, bending over the body of the four-footed
creature that lay at his feet. "How the deuce did it ever get
down here?"
"Peccary--my aunt!" observed Harry, bending down to look at
Desiree. "Do peccaries live in the water? Do they have snouts
like catfish? This animal is my own invention. There's about ten
million more of 'em over there making a gorgeous banquet off our
late lamented friend. And now, let's see."
He knelt down by the still warm body and with the point of his
spear ripped it open from neck to rump. Desiree stirred about in
my arms.
"Gad, that smells good!" cried Harry.
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