These animals doubtless generally lived in the forests of the Far West, but pressed by hunger, they had ventured as far as Prospect Heights.

Perhaps they had smelled out the inhabitants of Granite House.

"Now, what are these feline creatures ?" asked Pencroft.

"They are tigers," replied Herbert.

"I thought those beasts were only found in hot countries ?" "On the new continent," replied the lad, "they are found from Mexico to the Pampas of Buenos Aires.