Таинственный остров

           Thejaguarcollecteditselfforaspring,butatthatmomentashotstruckitintheeyes,anditfelldead.

           HerbertandPencroftrushedtowardsthejaguar.NebandHardingalsoranup,andtheyremainedforsomeinstantscontemplatingtheanimalasitlaystretchedontheground,thinkingthatitsmagnificentskinwouldbeagreatornamenttothehallatGraniteHouse.

           "Oh,Mr.Spilett,howIadmireandenvyyou!"criedHerbert,inafitofverynaturalenthusiasm.

           "Well,myboy,"repliedthereporter,"youcouldhavedonethesame."

           "I!withsuchcoolness!—"

           "Imaginetoyourself,Herbert,thatthejaguarisonlyahare,andyouwouldfireasquietlyaspossible."

           "Thatis,"rejoinedPencroft,"thatitisnotmoredangerousthanahare!"

           "Andnow,"saidGideonSpilett,"sincethejaguarhasleftitsabode,Idonotsee,myfriends,whyweshouldnottakepossessionofitforthenight."

           "Butothersmaycome,"saidPencroft.

           "Itwillbeenoughtolightafireattheentranceofthecavern,"saidthereporter,"andnowildbeastswilldaretocrossthethreshold."

           "Intothejaguar’shouse,then!"repliedthesailor,draggingafterhimthebodyoftheanimal.

           WhileNebskinnedthejaguar,hiscompanionscollectedanabundantsupplyofdrywoodfromtheforest,whichtheyheapedupatthecave.

           CyrusHarding,seeingtheclumpofbamboos,cutaquantity,whichhemingledwiththeotherfuel