CHAPTER XIII.
THE LAST OF THE CATAMOUNT.
Before the boys, at a distance of barely twelve feet, crouched the huge catamount, screeching with fury and hunger.
Bitterly, in that awful moment, did they repent the folly of venturing forth unarmed.
Brick and Hamp grabbed each other, and stared wildly about as though they expected a way of escape to open before their eyes.
Jerry was two feet in front of his companions, and when he saw that the hungry beast was about to spring, he uttered a terrific yell, and nearly let the lantern drop from his nerveless fingers.
The cry was wrung from his lips by sheer fright, but it served a good and unexpected purpose. The catamount was disturbed by the shrill echoes of a human voice. He turned tail instantly, and bolted several yards down the tunnel. Then he wheeled around again, and squatted low. His fiery eyes glared at his intended victims, and his long tail smacked the snow. He wailed several times in a whining key.
The boys were too badly scared to realize or to follow up their advantage. For the moment they were without wits or presence of mind.