First a jaguar had attacked him, and now another was stalking their horse.

He felt pity for the poor animal which was tied, and which could not escape.

Now man who had tied him must save him.

Ned knew that if he cut the lariat the horse in its terror might run away and never be retaken.

A shot might be heard by the Mexicans, but he believed that the probabilities were against it, and he decided to use the rifle.
He raised himself just a little more, careful to make no noise, and watched the jaguar stealing through the tall grass, so intent on the horse that it failed to notice the most dangerous of all enemies who lay near.