CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
THE WILD GOATS.
"Ach, Himmel! What is it ?" exclaimed Eric, getting closer to his brother, who also was at first a bit frightened.
"I sure I don't know," said Fritz, quite perplexed for the moment; but he was soon reassured, for the animal, which had hitherto presented itself end on towards them, so that its head and body were humped up together, now turning sideways, its change of position enabled him better to judge of its proportions.

"Pshaw!" he cried out, "it's only a goat, after all!" "A goat ?" repeated Eric, still surprised, not catching at once the meaning of the word.
"Yes; don't you remember that young Glass said there was a flock of goats on the tableland above the cliff ?" "Oh, I recollect now," said Eric, his mind quite relieved.

For the moment, he really believed that some terrible monster inhabited the desert island besides themselves; and thought that this unknown animal might possibly sally forth as soon as the sun set and darkness reigned, in search of its prey, when he and Fritz would fall victims to its rapacity.

"I did not understand you at first." "Well, it's all right now, brother, so you need not be afraid.

I cannot wonder at your alarm, however for I was startled, I must confess.
Fancy, me, a soldier, to show such want of nerve! Why, I'm as bad as you were the other morning when the penguins attacked you!" "Don't say any more about that, please," pleaded Eric, whose fright of the birds was still a standing joke with Fritz.