Part 9 (1/2)
”But how about the hole in the roof?” questioned Brick ”It won't do to go to bed and leave that open The cataht rain or snow,” added Hamp
”It won't do either,” asserted Jerry, ”but I'm not so positive about the cataht Co”
Jerry mounted the rock, and then climbed partly out on the roof The others procured hatchets and started toward a copse of young timber that lay behind the cabin
”You'll need another prop or ton't you?” asked Hamp
”Yes, one of these is broken,” Jerry replied ”Cut it thick”
Haan to hack at it Brick struck in now and then Upon the roof Jerry rearranged the disordered layers of pine and spruce boughs The boys anticipated a quick completion of the work and then a much-needed sleep
”Help! Help!”
The cry cas Their oas evidently some distance out on the lake and directly opposite the caround, landing directly between his coled with a blood-curdling screech Then followed a hoarse, quavering noise that sounded only half human
”Some one is in peril out there,” exclaie ot to rescue hihty quick, at that,” added Hamp ”Corabbed a rifle Then they sped down the ravine and out on the slippery ice The strange, unearthly noise ice repeated before they were twenty feet froood deal worse,” declared Brick
”I'll bet I knohat it is,” replied Ha to scare the cata at it I've heard of old trappers doing that”
”And it often succeeds, too,” said Jerry ”There, the fellow is calling for help again”
”Hold on, we're co!” shouted Ha hail floated back on the wind, and was speedily drowned by an ear-splitting yowl fro was visible in the deep glooht a lantern,” panted Hamp
”Too late to think of that now,” replied Jerry ”We've got to face the music in the dark If it comes to close quarters, I'll shoot at the catamount first You fellows be ready in case I ure of a ray at toward theun
When thecata behind Suddenly the ely The beast also stopped, and squatted on the ice
The boys now caladly
”You are just in tier My rifle dropped in the snow, and is good for nothing Shoot the creature, if you can”
At sight of the rescuers, the cata in a half circle, evidently afraid to venture nearer
Jerry took aier He missed, however, and when Brick and Hareat leaps