Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-24

were three Of those hated two-legged
creatures whom he feared. He could
have come down and fought his way
clear, but he was too cowardly to do
this. He preferred to remain a prisoner
in that tree, q prisoner 10 those two
dogs and his own lack Of real courage.
He was big fellow, and as Farmer
Browns Boy looked up at MIN he won
dered more than ever why stIch great,
strong animal should have run when he
could have killed or hopelessly disabled
Of one Of his great paws armed with
sharp claws.
"I wish I could get a good photo
graph of that fellow sighed he. He
Is 50 high up that he win not show
very well in q picture"
Then, why don't you so up and get
. fairly close picture?" asked Sfumpy,
winking at Cousin Tom.
mo, thank you," replied Farmer
Browns Boy He may be afraid of
dogs, but I'm no dog. and am afraid
he wouldn't have so much respect for
me You go UP and make the pictures. .
He held his camera out TO Stumpy.
Don't know how replied Stumpy,
promptly. Never did know how to
handle one of those things. Tell you
what, there is another tree alongside
that one and an easy one to climb.
You climb that one until you get right
opposite to Mr. Cat and then ask him
10 look pleasant. I'll have my gun ready
II he takes q notion 70 be unpleasant
about It. What do you say?"
Now, this was a challenge. Anyway,
Farmer Browns Boy took it that way.
Stumpy was testing him TO see how
much courage he had. He did some
quick thinking. IF there Is serious
| danger, neither Stumpy nor Cousin
Tom viii let me climb that tree, y
| thought he. ~ start TO climb and
they don't stop me. I'll know that they
think there isn't any real danger. OF
course, Stumpy doesn't think III do il.
! He thinks am scared. ! am, but I'm
not going TO LEI him know it,"
| All riRst," said he. "I'll do it," He
moved toward the tree and neither
| Stumpy nor Cousin Tom said q word.
"One Of you come give me a boost and
| help me get started" said he at the
| foot OF the tree. His camera was neld
| by strap over one shoulder. Stumpy
| came forward and boosted him up and
he managed to get hold Of some stubs
/ Then he began tn climb, and inside he
! was hoping to hear Stunpy or Cousin
/ Tom order him to stop.
/ Instead Stumpy told him TO go slowly
| and take 1t easy, making no sudden mo-
/ tons. Az he got up near the level OF
the branch OF the other tree on which
Puma was crouched the latter began to
get uneasy His long tail twitched and
he kept looking around as il for place
| to jump. Meanwhile the dogs kept ur
an excited barking At last he was
right opposite the big cat and it looked
to him as IL he must be within jumping
distance. He was shaking so with ex-
element, and perhaps fear. that he had
difiiculty In getting his camera out OF
It's case But after he had made the
first picture and the great cat had done
nothing more than growl he gained con-
i fidence
Picture after picture he made until
he had used all his Aim. Puma had
b quoted down. Apparently he sensec
that this two-legged creature In the
next tree vas harmless. Somehow Puma
no longer looked like the terrible ami
NAL he had always thought him to be
He seemed more and more like nothing
but an oeergrown. ecUd-nati1red cat n
! trouble and wondering what It was al
about.