“Shoot!” whispered Dick.
“I’m going to,” answered Tom, and, raising his rifle, he took quick aim and pulled the trigger.
They could hear the thud of the bullet as it struck, and the next instant,[ with a scream of rage and pain, the beast launched itself into the air].
[CHAPTER XIV]
TOM’S SCHEME
“Roll out of the way, Jack! Roll out of the way!” yelled Tom, as soon as the smoke had cleared from his line of vision, and he could see the result of his shot. The tawny beast was writhing on the ground in its final struggle, close to the prostrate youth.
“Jack! Jack! Wake up!” cried Bert.
There was no need for the last injunction, for Jack had sat up with a start at the report of the rifle.
“Look out that he doesn’t claw you!” shouted Dick, and then Jack became aware of the cause of the commotion.