Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/142

 get up. Luckily, Briant was able to step aside, and give it a thrust with his cutlass. The jaguar was mortally wounded and rolled on to the ground, as Webb and Cross rushed to Donagan's assistance.

But the victory might have cost Briant dear, for his shoulder was ripped by the animal's claws, and began to bleed profusely.

"How did you come here?" exclaimed Wilcox.

"That you will know soon!" said Briant. " But come with me! Come!"

"Not till I have thanked you, Briant! " said Donagan. " You have saved my life!"

"I only did what you would have done in my place," replied Briant; "but don't say any more about that. Come with me!"

Briant's wound, however, was noticed. Although it was not a serious one, it had to be bound up tightly with a handkerchief, and while Wilcox was doing this Donagan was told what had taken place.

And so these men who had come by the boat were alive! They were wandering about the island! They were scoundrels stained with murder! A woman had been wrecked with them in the boat; and this woman was now at French Den! There was now no safety on Charman Island! That was why Briant had told Wilcox not to fire at the jaguar for fear the report would be heard, and that was why Briant had trusted only to the cutlass!

"Ah, Briant, you are a better fellow than I am!" said Donagan with deep emotion.

"No, Donagan," said Briant; "but now I hold your hand I will not let it go till you have promised to come back with me."

"Yes, I must come," said Donagan. "You can trust me. Henceforth I shall be the first to obey orders! To-morrow — at daybreak we will be off."

"No," said Briant," we must start at once, without the risk of being seen."

"And how?" asked Cross