“They must have their nest or den, or whatever it is, around here,” went on Ned, “and they think we’re disturbing them. Look! They’re coming right at us! We’d better get some clubs, stones, or something.”
“How would it be to run?” asked Bob. “If they don’t want us here we’d better get out!”
“No, don’t do that,” advised Professor Snodgrass. “The minute you turn your backs they’ll spring, and a mountain lion can cover a good bit of ground in a leap. Keep facing them!”
“But for how long?” asked Jerry nervously. “They’re coming nearer all the while! Say, they’re ugly beasts!”
“Get out your jackknife and open the biggest blade,” advised Ned, in a low voice. “It’s our only chance!”
This was good advice, and the boys prepared to follow it. Meanwhile the two mountain lions were slowly advancing. Their eyes gleamed savagely and their tails lashed their lean sides while low growls came from their throats. Later the boys learned that the female lion had some cubs concealed among the rocks, and this accounted for the boldness and savage attitude of the pair.
But at present the boys were concerned only with their own safety, and they knew if the lions sprang at them there would be a savage and desperate fight with only jackknives for defense against the keen claws and keener teeth of the brutes.
But Professor Snodgrass unexpectedly took a hand in the matter.
“Keep still, boys,” he said in a low voice. “I hate to do it, but I think I can dispose of these creatures.”
He held in his hand a small collecting box.