How long the boys sat there, staring fascinated into the branches of that tree, they were never afterward able to say. But even while they sat there motionless their minds were working furiously.
They were unarmed. If the animal attacked them they would be helpless. Instinctively they knew that as long as they remained absolutely quiet they had a chance of safety. The wildcat, puzzled by their stillness, would hesitate to spring. But if they moved——
Then suddenly Bob, as though released from the spell that held him, reached over ever so gently and his fingers closed on a stout stick that lay close to him. At the same moment his other hand grasped a heavy stone.
The other boys, guessing what he was about to do, followed his example, moving with the utmost caution. But, carefully as they moved, the slight action annoyed the crouching wildcat. His teeth showed in a wicked snarl and he crept nearer the end of the branch.
Then Bob, staking everything on sudden action, jumped to his feet, throwing the rock he held with all his force toward the huge cat and brandishing his stick wildly above his head.
The other boys followed suit, yelling like wild Indians and advancing fiercely upon their foe. It was a wild thing to do and there was only one chance in a hundred that the ruse would work. If the cat, infuriated by the attack, sprang upon them——
But no! Again that fierce growl, the flattened ears, muscles tensed for a spring——
But as the boys, shouting and waving their improvised weapons wildly, advanced bewilderment crept into the glaring yellow eyes of their antagonist. He crouched lower, he snarled angrily, he seemed about to leap.
Then, very slowly, the big animal began to retreat, inch by inch, along the branch, his body almost touching the bark, his fur bristling angrily.
Elated at the prospect of triumph the boys sprang forward with yells that started echoes sounding and resounding through the forest.