The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1907-11-08
They HEARD A NOISE
The Young Women Were
Sure 1t Was a Panther

Supper was over. The camp fire
had nearly died out, even as had the
desultory conversation OF the outing
party.
The autocrat arose from his seat
on the old log. and yawned audibly.
Clearly his last story had not inter-
ested the crowd. and he had sat in
silence, bordering over it until he
had begun to get drowsy.
Now, Mrs. Chaperon," he said lam
guidly, IF you ladies are trifie tired
we will excuse you from this nocturnal
visitation we intend making on the
finny tribe. You may stay here and
watch the camp and we men folks will
hike for the creek. Billy's asleep over
there in the hammock. SO We will leave
him as your silent sentinel. don't be-
lieve anything will disturb YOU how
ever"
20, we are not the least bit
afraid. Take Billy with you; he's get
ting lazy"
Billy, over in the hammock, blink
ashes from his pipe on the tree behind
him.
Yes, I'll 60" he said, arising.
Never did have any luck loafing
where I wasn't wanted"
So the men strolled off toward the
creek, a quarter Of a mile away; and
the feminine side of camp life soon
-, Il,
now in more comfortable negligee,
chatted quietly by the fireside. Some
how they were not as gay as usual.
Still, they were not sleepy; every one
seemed just to enjoy her own particu-
lar mood and was very thoughtful and
generally silent. Away up above them
a full moon shone down through the
sturdy pines. OFF in the distance
they could hear the mOnOtonous roar
of the little cataract down on the
stream, and internationally the cry Of
the hounds arose from far across the
creek, where they were trailing a
fox, or perhaps an elusive deer. Elk
cept for these sounds all was very
quiet and time passed slowly. Some
how it was lonesome.
jeanette. gazing dreamiiy into the
fire with chin resting upon her hands,
suddenly sat upright.
"Listen!" she said
What is it, dear?" asked Mrs. Chap
eron.
II heard the awfullest thing just
now There it is again! It's COM
ing toward u.s."
A deep, reverberating noise-half
growl, half roar-seemed to fill the lit
tie valley, echoing from bluff and bluff.
Its a catamount!" exclaimed Bea-
trice.
"Oh! isn't it terrible? | know it's
coming here" said Augusta.
ME for the tent Build big fire."
comrlacently remarked the matter-of-
face Alice.
No; we had better go down toward
the creek and call the men" said Mrs.
Chaperon. Mr.. Adams can shoot the
panther. He took the gun with him"
But the creature Is down there
somewhere l heard it" mourned
jeanette, tearfully. Il wouldn't go
through those dark woods for all the
money in the world"
Nonsense. Jeanette" urged Mrs.
Chaperon. I'VE can't stay here. Get
lantern and come quickly. Animals
will not attack light"
Ten min rtes later the midnight fish
ermen were surprised by five young
women crashing through the under
brush toward the creek bank, halloo-
ing at every step, their hair dishev-
eled, their clothing torn and their
hands and faces scratched by the
branches. Three of the five carried
lanterns.
What's the matter?" called the in
corrigible Billy from a limb that hung
out over the stream. Whats the
matter; lost something?" He sat non
chalently putting away at a pipe, his
big straw hat pulled down over his
ears and his line and pole both dang
ling carelessly in the dark, ripping
water.
Hello! What's up" shouted the au-
tocrat further up stream.
"W-we heard cat-a catamount!
Its after u.s." chartered Jeanette.
All were silent. From down the
creek came the same deep, roaring
growl, echoing weirdly over the quiet
water and on the night wind
Billy laughed cheeFfulE.
That's a bullfrog" he said. Girls,
run for your lives
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