"What can we do?" Ruth returned. "If we move toward them, or call out, the beast may spring on them. What is it—a tiger?"
"I don't know. Of course it's not a tiger, for there are none in this country except in circuses. Maybe it's a wildcat."
"Oh, they are terrible. But this doesn't look like the wildcat Flaming Arrow shot in the backwoods."
"No, it doesn't," agreed Alice. "But we must do something to save those children!"
Tommy and Nellie, all unconscious of their peril, were still sorting their blossoms beneath the tree.
"If we could only get them out of the way—somehow," urged Alice. "Then we might hurry off before the beast could spring."
"But it might chase after us—and them."
"That's so. One of us had better go for help. You—you go, Alice. I—I'll stay here," faltered Ruth.
"What! Leave you alone with that beast? I will not!"
"But what can we do?"