CHAPTER IX
PLANNING A SURPRISE
“More trouble ahead!” cried Roger, starting back, for he did not fancy a hand-to-hand conflict with that furious beast, intent on claiming the game that had fallen to Dick’s gun.
“Do nothing rash!” admonished the other, who knew the headstrong ways of his cousin, and wished to prevent any action that might precipitate a struggle.
“But see how the beast acts! As if he owned the earth, Dick!”
“Well, what of it?” came the steady reply, for Dick was hastening his reloading operations while talking, something Roger did not seem to have thought of.
“But you shot the bull, Dick,” urged the other.
“Then I make of him a present to our friend, the big cat,” Dick told him. “We have quite enough meat out on the open, all we can manage. Besides, I pity your teeth if you ever try to bite into the flesh of that tough old rascal. Move around, and let the cat be. That’s all he asks of us.”
“But, Dick, I don’t like to let it seem as though the two of us were afraid of just a hungry panther,” remonstrated Roger, who was proud of his valor.