"Never heard of one so bold!" whispered Reddy hoarsely, feeling for the weapon he usually carried attached to his belt.
"Everybody sit quiet, and see what he means to do. He won't attack us, but it may be you'll see him make a jump for the balance of that sheep over yonder. The scent of the game has aroused his hunger. Look at him raise his head to see!"
Mr. Mabie spoke these words in a low but tense tone. He was more or less excited by the strange actions of the prowling panther.
"I reckon it's a mother, with hungry cubs near by. She's just bound to get some grub for the kits, men or no men. Now, if you lie low, and watch, I reckon you'll see something you never expected to see in your born days."
Billy sat there motionless. Only Frank saw the movement of Bluff when he raised his rifle, and while he would have warned his chum against the folly of firing, before he could frame words
to carry his meaning, the quick report came, causing a sensation among those around the fire.
The crouching beast, infuriated by receiving a sudden, painful wound, launched straight out, and landed in the midst of the campers!