A panther and its prey!
A panther and its foe!
Quickly raising his rifle the young man, with nerves as steady as steel and lips compressed with a fierce courage, took a quick aim and the hammer fell. Then a sharp, whip-like crack, and, with a scream that seemed half-human, the panther gave a leap from the tree, straight toward the girl, but, impelled by agony and a baffled purpose, the leap sent him several feet past the crouching figure of the maid.
Chauncy had expected this, and before the animal could turn he was upon it, knife in hand.
A few stabs sufficed to let out the little life that was in the panther, and then Chauncy arose to his feet.
Wiping his bloody knife upon the body of the slain creature, he put that weapon back into his belt.
Then for the first time he turned his eyes upon the maiden he had saved. A cry of surprise and admiration came from his lips as his eyes fell upon her. She was now upon her feet. Large, flashing black eyes, a pearl-like forehead, chin and nose, an exquisitely molded mouth, all framed with silky black hair which reached far below her waist!
Such was the picture before the young man.
The wild look was still in her eyes as she turned them upon her rescuer.
“I hope you have not received any hurt,” said he, advancing.