Part 16 (1/2)

Suddenly a dull crash was heard, and Brick's voice rose instantly to a shrill pitch The boys shouted in return, and Jerry quickly lighted his torch

The racket brought the cataly beast glared at the boys and the torch He was hungry for the former, but afraid of the latter He realized that he was oute that led to the lake, wailing like a spoiled child

It all happened so quickly that Jerry lost the opportunity he wanted He dashed to the angle, and pitched the torch far ahead It flared up brightly, showing the beast in a crouching attitude on the edge of the gloo out with stunning violence Its echoes were followed by a dismal wail and a shower of snow clods frouished the torch When the sh it was doubtless not far away

With a glad cry of welcome, Brick crawled out from the storehouse, coat in hand His sleeveless arm was stained with blood, and the wound proved to consist of several severe scratches

”You just came in time, fellows,” he said ”The beast had knocked my barricade down, and in a few seconds more he would have had rowled Jerry ”Seems to me I can't shoot worth a cent any etting back to the cabin instead of fooling away time here”

”You bet we had,” assented Hamp ”It's the only safe place That cataain, or he ain't the kind of an Indian devil I take him for”

Brick was nervously anxious to start, and at once took the lead of his cole, and when they were half-way through the final passage, they heard the creature's pattering strides behind them

Brick and Hamp bolted into the cabin Jerry paused on the threshold, and wheeled around He was frightened to see the catamount within six feet of him But he kept a cool head, and lifted his rifle, which he had meanwhile reloaded There was no tier

With the stunning report that followed, he rolled backward into the cabin and sprang to his feet A frightful screah the tunnel, and the startled boys hastily pushed the sled against the door Then they backed off, and waited Jerry disengaged the still burning lantern from his belt, and placed it on the floor

Another horrid screa and a crash Aent the sled, and plump into the cabin tumbled the wounded and infuriated catamount

It ell for the lads that Hamp retained his presence of un went to his shoulder Twice he pulled the trigger

Bang, bang! a rasping screechreports Then all was still When the curtain of powder s boys saw their ferocious ene in his death throes on the blood-stained pine boughs

CHAPTER XIV

A HERD OF DEER

Such a cheering arose as ht have been heard far off in the forest

The praises and congratulations of his coht a ruddy flush to Ha to do,” he protested, modestly ”When the creature bounced in, I just up and fired Jerry gets the most credit”

”No, I don't, either,” declared Jerry ”My rifleball took hih the head You saved our lives, Hamp, for the brute was crazy with pain, and would have torn us to pieces”

”That's so,” assented Brick ”I thought it was all up with us when Haly enelad you weren't in my shoes when the beast had me penned up in the crevice back of the storehouse”

When the excitement of their recent adventures had passed off, the boys discovered that they were very sleepy The night ell advanced, so they turned in without delay, per the lantern to burn dimly They were not inclined to lie down in darkness with the dead cata seemed to come quickly The boys were astir early, and had breakfast over by eight o'clock Then they crept out to the mouth of the tunnel, and were disappointed to find that the weather was unfavorable for departure A fine rain was falling froray sky, and the air was quite war,” said Jerry ”I believe it will clear off by evening and get cold Then a crust will forht, and we can start early to-”

”I hate to spend another day in this cooped-up place,” replied Brick, mournfully