“I can spare the powder and lead,” Nick responded, “and at the time I couldn’t believe that the panther had been hit in the heart. He was making a furious struggle.”
“Yes,” drawled the backwoodsman, “it takes them critters some time to die. But how’d you come here?”
“I was going along the road on horseback when the animal died suddenly.”
“Died!”
“Shot.”
“Gosh!”
“It was meant for me.”
“Huh! Robbers?”
“Perhaps, but they let me alone.”
“Mebbe they knowed you was handy with a gun?”