But there was no time for all this to be done, even if Phœnix and Chap had been expert in the management of anchors and sails, which they were not. The panther was evidently making for The Rolling Stone as a place of refuge, and from the way he was swimming he would quickly reach it. He seemed to totally disregard the presence of two boys on board, or the fact had escaped his attention. The sound of the firing had, of course, awakened Chap, and he and Phœnix were hastily discussing what they should do. Phœnix seized a hatchet, and posted himself by the side of the boat. “If he comes near, I’ll brain him,” said he. Chap snatched up the shot-gun. It had been pronounced harmless to panthers, but it might frighten the brute. The panther was now within four or five feet of the boat, and Phœnix stood ready, with his hatchet raised. Chap kneeled down, and leaned over the boatside, and as he did so, he involuntarily reached out his gun toward the panther. This action seemed to irritate the beast, and he was so near that he actually opened his mouth, and took hold of the muzzle of the gun. At this instant Chap pulled both triggers, and two loads of number two shot, in almost compact masses, entered the panther’s brain. When the boys looked at the water, there was nothing but a swirl of ripples where the angry head had just been seen. “You’ve settled him!” cried Phœnix; but still he stood ready with his uplifted hatchet. In a moment the body of the panther reappeared, now nearer the boat, one side uppermost, limp and motionless. “He’s dead!” cried Chap. “Grab him! Don’t let him sink again!” And, throwing down the gun, he leaned over the side of the boat. “Look out!” cried Phœnix. “If he isn’t dead, it won’t be much fun to grab him.” [Illustration] CHAPTER XXI. THE METROPOLIS OF THE INDIAN RIVER. Phil, Adam, and Mr. Pitman had been standing on the shore, watching with breathless anxiety the rapid course of the events recorded in the previous chapter. As the panther neared the boat, they were almost wild with terror, but they could offer no help, and the two boys seemed to be doing all that could be done. Their eyes were now so accustomed to the obscurity of the night, and there was so much reflected starlight from the water, that they could plainly see the panther’s head as it swam, and Phœnix’s form was very distinct as he stood with uplifted hatchet. They saw that Chap had the gun, and each in his heart hoped that he might fire it and frighten away the beast. When the gun was fired, and the triumphant cries of the boys were heard, Adam shouted across the water,-- “Look out! he’ll be at you again!” The good sailor had no idea anything had happened, but that the panther had been frightened away by the discharge of the gun. The dark reflection of the boat made it impossible for him to see what was going on in the water close to its side. Chap, however, was not to be discouraged by Adam’s shout or Phœnix’s warning.