He had an idea they were lacking in both the Bahamas and the West Indies, but not being sure, he meant to be on his guard.
Before he reached the bottom of the slope he heard a puff, and then the sound of heavy feet.

All his wilderness caution was alive in a moment, and, drawing back, he cocked the rifle.

Then he crept forward, conscious that some large wild beast was near.

A few steps more and he realized that there were more than one.

He heard several puffs and the heavy feet seemed to be moving about in an aimless fashion.
He came to the edge of the bushes, and, parting them, he looked cautiously from their cover.