AN ENDLESS CAVERN CHAIN
"I see what you mean, Lanky, and hear the growling to boot!" exclaimed Frank Allen.
"Some sort of wild creature makes its den in these caves!" ejaculated Lanky. "Maybe it's a wolf, or else a big cat! It might even be a mountain lion."
"We can't do anything but make a stab at guessing," Frank told him. "One thing is certain—we've either got to turn tail and quit, or else——"
"Plug it!" snapped Lanky decidedly. "Here, Frank, hold my light so I can kneel down and sight between those twin yellow spots."
"It's a risky thing to do, Lanky. But, for one, I don't want to go back like a whipped cur, just because of a lone cat! Wait a minute! I've got an idea that may pay."
He took the burning torch and started to fix one end in a crevice about six feet up from the rocky floor.
"Bully for you, Frank! I get you," cried Lanky, grasping the idea in a flash. "Two guns ought to make surer work of the spitter than one. Now, count three when you've got your aim, and we'll fire together."
At the word both reports rang out with a deafening concussion echoing and re-echoing along the passage. There was no attack, but the boys, as they pumped another cartridge into each gun chamber, could detect a strange shuffling noise. Then all became deathly still again.
"Huh! got him that time, all right!" said Lanky triumphantly.