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"I am sure he will be!" replied Godfrey. In any case Carefinotu showed himself quite at home with the food placed before him.
Godfrey tried to make him understand that he had better remain indoors, that there was no necessity to keep a watch as no wild animal had been noticed; but Carefinotu was obstinate. He therefore had to have his way.
Neither Godfrey nor Carefinotu, on account of the situation of the windows, which were cut straight through, could see the assailants, nor, in consequence, could they fire with any chance of success. It was now the door which the beasts attacked, and it was only too evident that it would be beaten in by their weight or torn down by their claws. Godfrey and the black had descended to the ground.
Decidedly Carefinotu endangered his life in thus constituting himself the guardian of Will Tree; but he had understood that he could thus be of service to his liberators, and he persisted, in spite of all Godfrey said to him, in watching as usual over the general safety. A week passed without any of these formidable visitors appearing in the neighbourhood.
But take my advice, Tartlet, and in the common interest do not tempt fortune twice!" The professor, slightly annoyed, allowed himself to be convinced; he threw the gun on to his shoulder with a swagger, and both our heroes, followed by Carefinotu, returned to Will Tree.
Then, while Godfrey selected a place whence he could command the opening, Carefinotu went to another spot whence he could deliver a cross fire. And they waited. Under these circumstances it certainly looked as though the besieged were safe from attack. Godfrey endeavoured to discover what was passing beneath them; but the night was still too dark.
Godfrey did not go very far from the dwelling, unless there was a necessity for his doing so. While the sheep and goats grazed on the neighbouring prairie, they were never allowed out of sight. Generally Carefinotu acted as shepherd.
Tartlet and Carefinotu, stretched on their beds inside Will Tree, were trying in vain to sleep. Godfrey, by the struggling light of a torch, was turning over the pages of his Bible. About ten o'clock a distant noise, which came nearer and nearer, was heard outside away towards the north. There could be no mistake.
Already the now distant roaring could be heard as they approached the environs of Will Tree. It was as though quite a menagerie of wild animals had been suddenly set free on the island! However, Godfrey and Carefinotu, without troubling themselves about Tartlet, who could be of no use, were keeping as cool as they could, and refraining from firing unless they were certain of their aim.
"Yes," responded Tartlet; "and we shall have to keep a watch on his cannibal instinct." "Well, Tartlet! We shall make him get over the taste of human flesh if he ever had it!" "I would not swear that," replied the professor. "It appears that once they have acquired this taste " While they were talking, Carefinotu was listening with extreme attention. His eyes sparkled with intelligence.
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