The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-08-19


Two days passed, and not mink had
been near, but the bait was gone out of
the steel trap and also from two of the
mink traps. With his usual persever-
ance Jad rebaited them and waited.
The bait was again eaten out of the most
of his mink traps, and what was more
exasperating another mink had been
caught and eaten.
Jad's patience now nearly gave way,
and he was tempted to tear his traps up.
But on second thought he resolved to
try once more. He would bait only the
fox trap.
Jad did not visit the next morning, as
usual, for he was obliged to finish har-
vesting the potatoes. But after dinner,
his father having gone to assist at put
ting up log cabin for newly-anived
settler, some two miles distant, Jad and
Chic set off for the brook, hatchet and
fishpole in hand.
As the neared the place where the fox
trap was set they heard the chain clink-
ing.
81 bet my head we've got him !" Jad
cried, excitedly, dashing through
clump of cedars.
And sure enough, there he was! A
big, round-headed wildcat!
At Jad's sudden appearance the crea-
ture bounded and leaped franticag 20
free himself, but the stake was a strong
one.
After cutting stout green club three
or four feet in length, Jad stuck the
hatchet beneath the strap which he wore
for belt, and going as near as he dared
struck at the creature with all his might.
He missed, however, and the cat darted
round to the other side of the stake,
bring up with sudden jerk, where it
crouched, growing low and watching
the boy with fiery eyes and ears laid
back.
ooh, don't 60 so near him, Jad !" eau
toned little Chic, retreating across the
brook. He'll fly at ye fore ye know itp
"Let 'em fyw cried the now excited
boy. "He's going to get his head
cracked fore I'm done with i'm! Take
that, ye sneakin' thief /" he added, ven
turing up and Bringing down the club
with quick blow, just grazing the ami,
nal as he jumped to the other side.
Then round and round the stake they
flew, Jad humping the ground, trap,
anything but the cat, which adroitly
kept out Of his reach, all the time fui-
ously snarling and splitting 1t was
hard telling which was pursuer as they
gyrated about the stake amid perfect
whirlwind of dead leaves.
But in an unlucky moment Jad's chain
got under the trap chain, and, bringing
it up suddenly, he threw the ring over
the top of the stake. With a bound
the creature was off, the chain rafting
after him catching under roots and
stones.
There was not second to lose, and
the boy gave hot chase. They ran on
for fifty rods or more then seeing Jad
so close upon him, the cat scratched up
the trunk of a hemlock, trap and all,
and from the branches glared at the
painting and excited boy.
Jad's courage was now up to the high
est pitch, and throwing down his club
he began to climb the rough trunk.
Don't go up there, Jad, for pity sake,
don't 4" implored little Chic, now COM
ing up all out of breath.
Eyes, an let him go off with pas trap
on his foot, wouldn't YEP Just like a
girl-'fraid of her own shadder!" cried
Jad, scornfully. II tell yer, he's got to
pay for them mink with his skin-see il
he don'tp and he climbed on laboriously,
giving vent to his indignation in threats
which he meant to put into execution.
Reaching the lower limbs, Jad grasped
the hatchet firmly, ready for an assault
As he came within yard Of the cat it
kept clawing and making attempts to
leap down upon the boys head, all the
time growing fercely. Throwing the
hatchet back over his shoulder as far as
he could reach, Jad struck at the big
head in the crotch, Of the tree just
above him. But the creature lodged
the blow. He again struck and missed;
but the next time he was fortunate
enough to hit the cat on the head, fairly
knocking IL of the limb to the ground,
where for moment il lay stunned and
motionless.
Jad slipped quickly down tho trunk,
thinking tho yictoynow won But the