Part 15 (2/2)

On went the boys, groping blindly frole at the storehouse bothered theether in a confused heap

Soled, and by pure luck Haood time toward the next curve

Brick was not so fortunate He went head first into the storehouse, and only discovered the mistake when his arms struck the rocky sides of the cavity

There was no tiry snarl fro-flash he remembered that there was a smaller cavity beyond the storehouse proper Could he squeeze into it?

He did not stop to consider, but plunged forward at once He found the hole, and in a trice his arht fit, but he kicked and scra no heed to bruises or lacerations At last his legs were free, and he dropped down between the rocks

There was barely rooht position, and even then his head scraped a sharp point of rock But surely the catamount could squeeze after hi, whining noise close by, followed by a blood-curdling screech He believed that his companions had fled and left him to his fate He had matches in his pocket, and almost unconsciously he drew one out and struck it

It ell that he did so The cataer cavity beyond His wicked head, with its flattened ears, was just gliding into the crevice that led to Brick's retreat The lad uttered yell after yell, and the brute paused A moment later he retreated to the outer nited his handkerchief, and tossed the fla mass forward

The blaze showed Brick a slab of loose rock lying at his feet He snatched it up, and wedged it into the crevice with all his ht He tore off his coat, and jammed that in beside the rock

The handkerchief was now nearly consumed, and when the last spark faded away, the catamount came on h the tunnel with disan to tear at the obstacles that blocked the crevice

Brick shouted for help as he pulled the two reers let theround proved futile

Suddenly Brick felt a stinging sensation, and half of his shi+rt-sleeve was ripped off his left arh the crevice

Brick retreated as far as possible, wedging hihtly between the rocks that he could scarcely move a limb Here he crouched and tre down his arm, but he felt no pain He wondered why the boys did not come to his rescue Scarcely a foot away the cata every now and then to utter a fearful screech The brute had doubtless been prowling about on the lake since the beginning of the storer

Suddenly a rattling noise told Brick that the slab of rock was loose, and a moave himself up for lost

Let us return, for a short time, to Hamp and Jerry

Spurred on by mortal fear, they turned all the curves of the tunnel with a speed and accuracy that they could scarcely have excelled by the light of a lantern Not until they tumbled breathlessly into the cabin, and scraped a match, did they discover Brick's absence Then the tu out behind thee in the storehouse,” cried Jerry, ”and the cataet at him”

”That's just it,” echoed Hamp ”Come on, quick, or we'll be too late”

In threerapidly back through the tunnel Jerry had a rifle, and Ha shot Fro the lantern, and in the other was thrust a bunch of pine boughs soaked in oil As the boys advanced, they heard Brick's cries for help,of the catamount

”So far he's safe,” whispered Jerry ”I'll shoot first, and you be ready to follow”

”I'll give the brute both barrels, if they're needed,” muttered Hamp

They were now at the wall of the ravine, and a e that led to the storehouse The rocks were in sight, but no cata and whining led with Brick's hoarse cries

The boys crept nearer and nearer They were tre a little now, but they went pluckily on