"I am going to skin this big cat."
"Do you think we ought to stop for that?" asked Peleg.
"Yes."
"Then let me help."
"No, you keep guard. Our guns may have stirred up more trouble than we know."
Acting upon this suggestion, both boys became silent while young Boone began his task.
Swiftly and deftly he slit the beautiful skin the length of the body, and then did likewise on each leg. So skilful was the young hunter that in a brief time he had drawn back the skin sufficiently to cause him to call to his companion, "Come here and help me."
Together the two boys then tore the skin from the body, and young Boone rolled the panther's hide into a small, compact bundle. He tied this securely with a deerskin thong, and then added it to his burden.
At once the boys began to run swiftly to regain the distance they had lost. They had not advanced far, however, before they saw some one approaching them on the trail.