Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-02-26

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 most of
his mink-traps, and, what was more ex-
asperating, 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 heresolved 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 q newly-ar-
rived settler, some two miles distant,
Jad and Chic set off for the brook,
Ratchet and fishpole in hand.
AS they neared the place where the
fox-trap was set they heard the chain
clinking.
az 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 a 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 sudden jerk, where
it crouched, growing low and watching
the boy with fiery eyes and ears laid
back.
sob, don't go 80 near him, Jad |"
cautioned little Chic, retreating across
the brook. "He'll fly at ye fore We
know It'll"
"Let i'm fly |" cried the now-excited
boy. "He's going to get his head
cracked fore I'm done with 'im Take
that, We sneakin' thief !" he added,
venturing up and bringing down the
club, with a quick blow, just grazing
the animal as he again jumped to the
other side.
Then round and round the stake they
flew, Jal humping the ground, trap,
anything but the cat, which adrOitll
kept out Of his reach, all the time furi
Dusty 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 clut
got under the trap chain, and bringing
it up suddenly he threw the ring ovel
the top of the stake. With Il bound the
creature was off, the chain rnttling aftel
him and catching under roots ant
stones.
There was not c second to lose, ant
the boy gave hot chase. They ran oil
for fifty rods or more then, seeing Jat
so close upon him, the cat scratched III
the trunk of G heml ock, trap and all
and from the branches glGred at tn
painting and excited boy.
Jad's courage was now up to the high
est pitch, and throwing down his clul
he began to climb the rough trunk.
"Don't go up there, Jad, for pity
sake, don't " implored little Chic, nov
coming up all out of breath.
eyes, an let him go off with pas ira
on his foot, wouldn't ye? Just like
girl fraid of her own shadder " erie
Jad scornfully. 81 tell yer, he's got t
pay for them mink with his skin-see
he don'tl" and he climbed on labor
iously, giving vent to his indignation il
threats which he meant to put into exc
cution.
Reaching tho lower limbs, ia
) grasped the Ratchet firmly, ready for a
: assault. AS he came within yard {
? the cat it kept clawing and maxim
attempts to leap down upon the boy
head, all the time growing fercely
: Throwing the Ratchet back over h
shoulder as far as he could reach, ia
8 struck at the big head in the crotch {
: the tree just above him. But I'll
: creature lodged the blow. He agai
struck and missed but the next time
( was fortunate enough to hit the cat G
!, the head, fairly knocking it off the lin
o 10 the ground, where for moment it 10
n stunned and motionless.
" Jad slipped quickly down the trunl
:, thinking the victory now won. But I'll
Q animal, recovering itself, set upon IL
d boy with true feline grit, and the me-
IS moment they were engaged in live
y tussle, while little Chic ran back an
# forth shouting for help OF the top Of h,
It voice.
a The woods resounded with the col
&" fused medley. Jad now found that
:, must fight for his life, and with anoth
Is desperate blow he again stunned IL
creature, and, before he could recove
o the resolute boy dispatched him.
It Dropping the Ratchet, Jad threw hir
T. self on the ground, painting and e
D hausted. Poor little Ohio now can
n timidly forward, trembling and castir
It heightened Chances at the animal, as
Il he half szi jsc -. it it would sysn no
it leap upon her.
g "Oh, Jadl" cried the little girl, Sc
Is ng the boys tattered frock, "you mu
90 awful hurt And, oh, see 20
n fnr