The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-26
OUR BOYS AND GIRLS

them Tor rev mlnutesi then Catherlno
asked question.
Rob, have you noticed that this camp
looks as II the people here expected visits
from the 1ndianso An the cabins are
built Of heavy logs and all the windows
are guarded by thick plank shutters that
a sledge hammer could hardly break.
I've wondered why that is; know now;
1t is to keep the Wild beasts IRON break
ing in"
Now, see here, Kitty, Don't 50 to
having spasms over what Dave Brant
said II any wild beasts should happen
to come round. YOU do just as said, try
TO keep your wits about you, and not have
Mysteries the way girls always do, OF
course you can't DO anything; nobody eN-
poets that; hut do try not 70 lose your
wits; il you did, you'd only be In the way
OF the rest OF us I've been thinking
since Dave lerJ and know just what
I'd"
He stopped rlght there. His sister
caught him by the arm again, and they
both held their breath, while they felt
an icy sensation creeping along their
splnes, A terrible cry, such as they had
never heard before. tore through the si-
lent darkness Of the woods, Before Il
had fairly died away. It came again, At
first It was like the scream Of an angry
cat only many times louder; then II
quavered through the air like the high
pitched wall Of a woman ln mortal terror
or distress; sunk into vicious snarl, and
rose again to a piercing screech.
"A panther as sure as YOU liver Rob
whispered. II heard one in the Zoo, and
/ know. I don't wonder you are scared.
Kitty; l was frightened myself. just at
first"
His voice shook as II he were a little
frightened even yet, Catherine had let
so Of his arm and was standing erect,
apparently forgetful that she was TO run
into the house and shut the door
Where DO you suppose 1t is'' she said.
The sound seemed to come from over
there, pointing in the direction that Dave
bad takeut "Oh. Rob, Wouldn't It be
dreadful-You know we haven't seen or
heard anything Of Dave since he started.
I should think he would have run back
here when he heard that awful scream
Rob" Her voice was whisper again.
Look there"
He looked where she pointed. There, |
in the open window OF the cook-cabin. |
were two great fiery eyes looking at
them. As IL enraged at being discovered, !
the creature uttered another terrible cry. /
Catherine turned and fed like a hunted 4
deer to the cabin that they lived In. The /
campfire was between 1t and the cook
cabin, and II was very good place to
20 under the circumstances. Rob did not
exactly run. but he followed somehow in
the same direction. Before he got to the
.abin. he met Catherine running at full
speed towards him She was carrying
, rife and cartridge belt.
Here" she said, putting the rife in his
hands. Get on the right side of the fire
again. then take steady aim and shoot
him right between the eyes, the way you
said"
Good for you" Rob's voice and hand
10Th shook a little as he took the rifle.
II was just coming after this. You
20 right back nito ten house; then, II l
shouldn't kill him at the first shot-You
lnow they're more dangerous when they
IRE wounded. and its no place for a girl.
Now. whatever you do keep you head.
Don't get excited AMI go to screeching.
Toum only annoy me II you do that"
Fer answer Catherine took him hy the
arm and led him back 10 their former
place on the other side OF the camp fire.
rhe great eyes were stin glaring from
he open window. At sight of the brother
ind sister against the background Of fire,
he panther uttered another scream. but
= not move from its former position.
Now said Catherine. Steady aim,
you know"
/
ully as he could, and pulled the trigger.
rhe rife might as well have been a fish
ng rod. for no report followed.
Don't you do something with that lit
le hammer first?" Catherine asked limo
entity.
Then Rob saw that he had forgotten TO {
ock the gun before pulling the trigger.
he threw back the hammer with an
ngry jerk, brought the weapon again 10
lis shoulder, and again failed TO fire. The !
panther snarled at them, apparently IN
malicious triumph.
Something's the matter with IT," said
Rob, despairingly, throwing the rife 10
he ground. 1T won't go of. You get I
ack to the house as quick as you can. {
told you to DO that before. That fellow .
gon't stay where he is all night and hen I
make things lively when he comes this '
ray, Why don't you go? III come too, 9
+ you like
Rob, II you can't kill that creature, T
re must shut him up where he is" was (
,atherlne's answer 10 this proposition.
Shut him up! Shut up a panther
iaybe you think that's a COW. in there. b
'ou 90 into the house and shut yourself {
p"
She turned from him, and instantly she {
vas like another shadow among the shad-
VS. Of the woods. He thought she had &
one to the house, but in a moment her 1
odce, low and clear, reached him from a
he opposite direction. /
Stay right there, Rob where he can
ee you all the time, and keep him busy !
,oking at you II you can. And don't fire /
hat gun unless you have to-" /
What did she mean? What was she 2
ding OF do? Where was she? He had /
he answer to all three questions in s
ioment. The path to the cOok-cabin was
road and unobstructed, and the freight
hone family but clearly upon the little r
ar struct,tre Fran rho dense under. a