Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-01-30

dared struck at the creature with al
his might. He missed, however, and
the cat darted round to the other sldt
of the stake bringing up with sudden
jerk, where it crouched, growing low
and watching the boy with tiercy eyes
and ears laid back.
.'Oh, don't 90 SO near him, Jadl''
cautioned little Chic, retreating across
the brook. Hell fly at ye fore yt
know it,"
"Let i'm flyl" cried the now-excited
boy Hes going To get his head
CRACKED fore I'm done with 'Iml Take
that We sneakin' thiefl" he added, ven.
turing 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, 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 wa:
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 it up suddenly he threw the
ring over the top of the stake. With
a bound the creature was off, the chain
rattling after him and catching under
roots and stones.
There was not a second to lose, and
the boy gave hot chase, They ran on
tor fifty rods or more; then. seeing Jad
so close upon him, the cat scratched up
the trunk of 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!" implored little Chic, now
coming up all out of breath.
''Yes, an let him 20 off with pas
trap in his foot, wouldn't We? Just like
girl 'fraid of her own shadder!''
cried Jad scorntully. 81 tell yer, he's
got to pay for them mink with his
skin-see if he don'tr' and he climbed
on laboriously, giving vent TO his in
dignatloD 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 fiercely.
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 it off the
limb TO the ground, where for a mo-
ment it lay stunned and motion
less.
Jad slipped quickly down the trunk,
thinking the victory 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 lie again stunned the
creature, and, before he could recover,
the resolute boy dispatched him.
Dropping the hatchet, Jad threw
himself on the ground, painting and ex-
ha9sted. Poor Chic now came timidly
forward. trembling and casting fright
ened glances at the animal, as II she
half expected it would even now leap
Upon her.
''Oh, Jadrr cried the little glIl, see
ing the boys tattered frock, you must
be awful hurti Aud, on, see your
arml"
mo, l amt hurt. neither" declared
Jad, stoutly, sitting up, mot much,
anyway. That's Only little scratchI''
regarding his arm ruefully.
1t was pretty big one, however.
Binding some birch withes firmly about
the creatures hind legs, Jad, with little
Chlo's assistance, dragged him to the
house.
my patience alive!' cried their
mother, running to the door, as she
caught sight of the children. "Jad
Dunlapl you venturesome boy, where
did you get that wildcat?"
lie got into our trap, an then run
off up tree with 1t, and Jad clim' up
after 'iIn," little Chic hastened to ex-
plain. Il told him not to-" she added,
seeing the gathering reproof in her
mothers eyes.
And you got well scratched" said
Mrs. Dunlap, turning Jad about and
eyeing his bleeding arm. Il guess
twill learn You to let the wildcats
alonel'
''He won't eat any more of my mink,
anyway" muttered Jad.
He did not get much sympathy from
his father either, who chided him Sc
verely for his want of pradence, and
bade him be more cautious in the fu-
ture about attacking such animals.
1t took long time to heal up Jad s
lacerated arms and shoulders, and il
was number of days before he got
over the sore2ess and lameness enough
to visit his traps. However, Jad was
not troubled again that fall, while
two more mink were added to this little
pile of furs, which he sent on hi:
fathers load down to the settlement
not long after.