CHAPTER XX—DONE IN THE DARK
One who has never been in the woods at night and heard such a strange, awesome, blood-chilling sound cannot understand the shuddery feeling that creeps over the flesh of the listener.
In his veins Crauthers seemed to feel his blood turning to ice-water. His heart stood still when the second cry came, then leaped and pounded so violently that there was a pain in his breast.
“There’s one of your wild animals, Mark!” said Stark, who was not a little nervous himself, although he wished to hide the fact.
“For the Lord’s sake keep still!” breathed Crauthers, his dark teeth knocking together tremulously as he uttered the words. “What can it be?”
“Here’s your chance to hunt a wild animal,” said Hogan. “Go out and tackle it.”
“Why, you know I haven’t a weapon!”
“Bunol will lend you his knife.”
“No,” said the Spaniard. “The knife I have not.”
“Haven’t even a knife?” gasped Crauthers. “I’ve got a revolver, but I didn’t bring it. Great Scott! not one of us is armed! What if we are attacked?”