“We are nearly there”, Blackbeard said, trying hard to hold back a shrill of excitement.
They went on along their track at a steady step, walking in a line. They were getting closer to the passage at the end of that natural aisle at last, where they could nearly spot a larger field, when a heavy body fell on the pirate who had announced the leeches’ presence first.
The attack was so quick that Blackbeard thought that was just a huge branch crumbling down on that wretch; but then a hoarse roar bursting out of that body made him understand it was a wild animal.
***
“It’s a jaguar”, Teach exclaimed. He lifted his weapon and stood in a defensive position.
All the other men did the same, in an uproar of swords, guns and rifles.
The wild beast made his amber eyes dart on the crew members.
