Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-03-12

Jads patience now nearly gave way,
and he was tempted to tear his traps up.
But ON second thoughtheresolved to try
once more. He would bait only the fox
trap.
Jad did not visit it the next morning,
as usual, for he was obliged to finish
harvesting the potatoes. But after din
ner, his father having gone to assist at
putting up log cabin for newly-ar-
rived settler, some two miles distant,
Jad and Chic set off for the brook,
Ratchet and fshpole in hand.
As they neared the place where the
fox-trap was set they heard the chain
clinking.
"I 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 Great
ure bounded and leaped frantically to
free himself; but the stake was strong
one.
After cutting stout green club three
or four feet in length, Jad stuck the
Ratchet 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,
bringing up with a sudden jerk, where
it crouched, growing low and watching
the boy with fiery eyes and ears laid
back.
"Oh, don't go so near him, Jad !"
cautioned little Chic, retreating across
the brook. "Hell fly at ye fore ye
know it j."
"Let i'm fly !" 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,
venturing up and bringing down the
club, with quick blow, just grazing
the animal as he again 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 furi-
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 club
got under the trap chain, and bringing
il up suddenly he threw the ring over
the top of the stake. With a bound the
creature was off, the chain rafting after
him and catching under roots and
stones.
There was not a 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 hemlocA, 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 F" implored little Chic, now
coming up all out of breath.
"Yes, an let him go off with pas trap
on his foot, wouldn't ye? Just like a
girl--'fraid of her own shadder 2" cried
Jad scornfullY. CT tell yer, he's got to
pay for them mink with his skin-see if
he don'tl" and he climbed on labor
iously, giving vent to his indignation in
threats which he meant to put into exc
cution.
Reaching the lower limbs, Jad
grasped the Ratchet 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 Ratchet 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 it off the limb
to- TIE ground, where for moment it lay
stunned and motionless.
Jad slipped quickly down the trunk,
thinking the victory now won. But the
animal, recovering itself, set upon the
boy with true feline grit, and the next
moment they were engaged in lively
tussle, while little Chic ran back and
forth shouting for help at the top of her
voice.
The woods resounded with the con-
fused medley. Jad now found that he
must fight for his life, and with another
desperate blow he again stunned the
creature, and, before he could recover.
the resolute bow DISPATCHED him.