Where the bullet struck the puma it was not easy to say. But the animal gave a quick snarling cry and wheeled about. He raised himself a trifle from the ground. It was Barney’s chance. “Bad cess to ye!” he muttered, and drew quick aim. Crack! Another bullet struck the puma. But the animal had already made its spring. Straight for the covert of its human foe it shot. Captain Nicodemus saw that his life hung in the balance. He did not shirk the responsibility. It was a momentous occasion. He raised himself and took cool and steady aim. If his bullet hit the mark he would stop the beast. If not—then the worst might happen. It was a moment of brief suspense. All his nerves were on the qui vive. Then he fired. Crack-ack! Two reports blended in one, for Barney fired at the same moment. One moment the puma was in mid-air, then fell, turning a dozen somersaults. When it ceased its terrific death struggle the two hunters ventured to approach it. A more ferocious beast could not be imagined. “Egad!” exclaimed Nicodemus, as he placed fresh cartridges in his rifle, “the beast gave us quite a tussle. We’re in high luck!” “Begorra, I believe yez, sor!” agreed Barney. “I niver was more skeered in me loife. One moment I thought it was me the omadhoun was after, then I thought it was yesilf.” The captain laughed and kicked the body of the dead lion. “I’ve half a mind to take his skin!” he said, “but I don’t believe it would pay. On my word, I think I see a mountain antelope yonder. Let us try for him!” Both hunters started to creep up the mountain side. Upon a distant spur of rock, sure enough, there stood a goat. Nearer they crept. It was necessary to proceed with the greatest caution. These mountain goats were shrewd and exceedingly wary. But it did not spy its human foes, however, until they were within gunshot. Then both fired. One or more of the bullets hit the mark, for the goat gave a spring in the air and fell. It came sliding and rolling down the mountain side, and fell almost at the feet of the hunters. In a moment its carcass was secured. Nicodemus was well satisfied. The object of the expedition had been accomplished, and he did not care to go further. The goat was slung over his shoulders, and he proposed to return to the air-ship. This, however, was speedily discovered to be not such an easy matter. They had wandered far and somehow lost their bearings. The region had all a peculiar sameness. It was some while before Barney was able to decide the direction from which they had come. But the points of the compass were finally settled, and they set out upon the return. But though they journeyed on for an hour, no sign of the air-ship was seen. Finally they were brought to a halt by a deep chasm, with sides too precipitous to descend. Here they were forced to come to a dismayed halt. “By whales!” exclaimed Nicodemus Beere, “here’s a pretty how d’ye do! Where are we, Barney? Do ye know?”