Part 4 (1/2)
Max was just in the act of declaring that if there was one dish of which he was particularly fond it was frogs' legs, and that he meant to start on a hunt for some of those bl.u.s.tering fellows in the morning, when a shriek that was entirely different from anything else, broke upon their startled ears.
In spite of all their boasted self command, Steve, Owen, as well as Max, Toby and Bandy-legs scrambled to their feet, and looked at each other speechlessly, while their faces certainly took on a degree of pallor that was remarkable, considering how red were the flames of the fire that tried to paint their cheeks a rosy hue.
CHAPTER IV.
THE SUDDEN AWAKENING.
”Oh! what do you suppose that was?” demanded Bandy-legs, his voice quivering.
”It might have been a wild-cat,” suggested Owen, cautiously, as if trying to recall just what he had read about the cries of these animals, when roaming the woods at night.
”Mebbe it was an owl!” remarked Toby, actually forgetting to stammer in his new alarm.
”Max, whatever do you think?” asked Steve, turning on the boy he addressed; for if any one could know it ought to be Max.
”Well, to tell the honest truth, fellows, I'm nearly as much in the dark as the rest of you,” admitted Max, looking perplexed.
”But then you've had experience, and ought to know what sort of racket a bobcat makes when he's on the rampage?” insisted Steve, belligerently.
”On the rampage! My goodness!” echoed Bandy-legs, at the same time making sure to move still closer to the blaze; for he suddenly recollected that nearly all the really dangerous beasts of the wilds are afraid of fire.
”It came so suddenly, and lasted so short a time, that I didn't have much of a chance to make up my mind,” Max went on; ”but if you really want me to say what I suspect made it, I will.”
”Go on,” Steve said, encouragingly, ”I guess we can stand it all right.”
He had picked up the shotgun which Max had thought best to bring along, though not expecting to use it in shooting any game like rabbits, squirrels, partridges or quail, since summer was the off season for such things. And when Steve became excited he looked very warlike indeed.
Why, Bandy-legs began to feel more confidence just by looking at the ferocious expression Steve a.s.sumed. It was good to feel that you had a ”fighting chum” nearby, in time of need.
”Yes, let's have it, Max; we're ready to hear the worst,” Owen went on.
”It sounded more like a human voice than anything else I can think of!”
was what Max immediately said, very calmly indeed.
”Just what I thought you'd give us!” cried Steve, making a move as though ready to spring away into the surrounding darkness, gun in hand.
”Hold on,” added Max, taking a firm hold on the coat of the impulsive chum; ”we'd like to know why you try to run off, when I remarked that I thought it mightn't be an animal at all, but a human being?”
”Why?” repeated the other, struggling a little as if wanting to break away, but finally giving up the effort, ”because I just know who it is, that's what, and I'd give a heap to lay my hands on him, that's all.”
”B-b-but, Steve, mebbe the r-r-rest of us'd l-l-like to know, too,”
stammered Toby, eagerly.
”Yes, and sure you wouldn't be rus.h.i.+ng off like a house afire, to leave us here without the gun, while you lost yourself in all this tangled undergrowth,” Owen suggested, reproachfully.
Steve looked a little conscience stricken.
”That's right, it would be mean of me, fellows,” he admitted, as he glanced at the gun he had s.n.a.t.c.hed up so eagerly. ”And likewise silly in the bargain, because in this pitch darkness I'd like as not only stub my toe, and take a beastly header into some snake hole. I guess I'll simmer down, and stay where I'm most needed.”