Part 15 (2/2)
”Why, yes, kid,” observed the old cowboy, in answer to a question Bluff had put, ”sometimes I've knowed 'eht froood an'
hungry, an' he ain't afraid of anythin' but fire Then, ag'in, I've knowed 'em to act as cowardly as coyotes I kinder reckon the season has considerable to do with their actin'”
”But that was only one man The beast wouldn't dare juht be?” continued Bluff, who seeht
The old cowpuncher laughed as though amused
”That's somethin' I'd hate to commit myself on, younker All I say is a painter ain't to be depended on He ain you'd be fair astonished at his darin' Long ago I ive him more of a chance than I could help It's war to the knife between un workin' too quick to please me when I sees the yaller eyes of a painter hoverin' round my caerly
”I reckons they are, kid; leastways all that I ever see wasout for a brand hich to light the cigarette he had been rolling between his fingers, just as Reddy was also doing at the time
”Like those yonder, do youbehind Billy, to a point where the dense thicket came close to the border of the camp
Every eye was instantly turned in that direction Frank hilowing eyes a those bushes, eyes that had all the attributes of the cat tribe
Various exclaum! It's a painter, sure as you live!” said Billy calmly
”Never heard of one so bold!” whispered Reddy hoarsely, feeling for the weapon he usually carried attached to his belt
”Everybody sit quiet, and see what he means to do He won't attack us, but it may be you'll see him make a jump for the balance of that sheep over yonder The scent of the gaer Look at him raise his head to see!”
Mr Mabie spoke these words in a low but tense tone He waspanther
”I reckon it's a et sorub for the kits, men or no men Now, if you lie low, and watch, I reckon you'll see so you never expected to see in your born days”
Billy sat there motionless Only Frank saw the movement of Bluff when he raised his rifle, and while he would have warned his chu, before he could fra a sensation a beast, infuriated by receiving a sudden, painful wound, launched straight out, and landed in the midst of the campers!
CHAPTER XIV
THE COWBOY GUIDE
Everybody was in ardless of appearances; others rolled aside, bent upon placing some little distance between the to work the un in order to secure a second shot, but as so often happens when the hunter is excited, he failed to accoe
Theclose to the fire
Perhaps what actedonceso many which he should attack If he only knew froiven hiony there would have been no hesitation at all
One, however, did not join in the almost universal retreat Thisforward at the tiht his cigarette So, heavy stick that stuck out of the fire, andpanther
Frank never forgot that spectacle The panther, with ears flattened back, and fangs exposed, snarled and carried on just like a big house cat when assailed by a sh trying to reach the ar brand caused too ly beast would not give way, and leap out of its perilous position