Tigre by Jim Kjelgaard

Author:Jim Kjelgaard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, adventure, jaguar, Mexico
Publisher: Reading Essentials
Published: 1961-06-11T00:00:00+00:00

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7

Man-Killer

Down in the corral, the bunched nannies and kids talked in muted voices, as they discussed in their own fashion the tigre's second coming and his going. Snorting angrily, Brother Goat pawed the place where the great spotted cat had spun round and round when the bullet smashed into him. He knelt to scrape the place with his horns, driven to near madness by the scent of the blood that had been spilled there.

Sam and Pepe sat perfectly still, shocked into motionless silence by a sudden realization of just what they had seen and done in a few fleeting seconds. The tigre's appearance, the shot that had wounded him and his disappearance only now became real, and, for a moment, full comprehension of this reality was too much for these two human minds to bear.

Sam finally broke the silence. "If he isn't hit hard, I'm afraid we're in for trouble, Pepe.

"How so?" The boy spoke in a half whisper.

"If he gets into the jungle, how the blazes are we ever going to track him?"

Pepe remained silent for another moment, striving to rid himself of a steel band that tightened about his head and prohibited any clear thought. Then the band burst and he knew. The tigre had indeed come again, and Pepe would have breathed easily if he had been killed in the corral. But he had not been killed there, although he was wounded. Perhaps he would go now to die in the jungle—although there was also the possibility that he would recover. If he did, he would certainly again attack the goats—and he would continue to do so until none was left. Now, while he was hurt, was the time to follow and put an end to him. It was unthinkable to let him escape.

Pepe exclaimed. "Look at Brother Goat!"

"I see him. He's about the maddest goat I ever saw."

"He smells the tigre."

"I expect he does. The scent must be plain enough."

Pepe said, "When the tigre came and stole Maria, I knew I must fashion my spear. That day, I decided to let my flock graze near Muzo. The nannies and kids could run free, but Brother Goat must be tethered, so he would not chase the gardeners from their gardens. I myself led him down to the stream, and when we came to where the tigre had crossed—this was at least seven hours afterward—Brother Goat snorted and showed his anger. He knew the tigre had been present, and he hates him even more than I do."

"I didn't know goats had a scent so keen. But just what are you trying to prove?"

"He will find the tigre for us."

Sam exclaimed in amazement, "A goat track a tigre!"

"He'll not track the tigre," Pepe said. "The tracking you and I must and can do. But should we stray, Brother Goat will tell us when we again find the trail. We must not let this killer elude us!"

Sam said soberly, "You sound about as mad as that goat of yours—but your plan could work out.

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