“Really? Is it gone? What did you do?”
Joe told of what had happened. When he had finished, his chum regarded him admiringly.
“Good for you, old boy,” praised Bob, patting his friend on the back. “I’d have never thought of doing anything like that. But now suppose I take up the watch for a while. I’ll keep on the lookout for that leopard.”
But Joe refused, saying that his watch was not yet over.
“I’ll call you later,” he said, and Bob again retired.
Toward the end of his guard Joe heard a mysterious cry, similar to that he had heard several days before. It was most blood-curdling, sending chills down his spine. Whether it was of animal or human origin the youth had no idea.
Bob too heard the unearthly sound later during his watch, and was as frightened as his chum had been.
“The Forest of Mystery!” he breathed, looking about rather fearfully. “Certainly seems mysterious. Things could be happening right at this minute that nobody knows anything about.”
At the first streak of dawn Bob awoke Joe, although the latter was still very sleepy.
“Let me wait a little bit longer,” pleaded the latter, rubbing his eyes.