CHAPTER XVIII

WILDCAT AND WATER

Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder. He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.

By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible. As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.

Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.

"Get off!" screamed Henry. "Get off! Help! help!"

And then he went down, not because he thought of doing so, but because he could not bear the weight. The stream closed over him and he went directly to the bottom.

This time the wildcat did not let go its hold. It clung desperately and when Henry tried to shake it off it only sunk its nails deeper into his flesh. Mechanically he started to scream, when the water rushed into his mouth, almost strangling him on the spot.

By this time Dave had reached the surface, and the rings and bubbles showed him plainly where Henry and the wildcat had gone down. With swift strokes he swam to the river bank, just as several rangers came running to the scene.

Based on the article and the following list of answers, write a list of questions.

1. Henry
2. the wildcat
3. No
4. because he could not bear the weight.
5. No
6. The stream
7. No
8. Henry tried to shake it off
9. No
10. Dave
11. No
12. Yes
13. No
14. to be both powerful and bloodthirsty
15. he dived and went down
16. soldier
17. Get off
18. the water rushed into his mouth
19. bubbles
20. several rangers
1. Who was underwater?
2. What put him there?
3. Did he fall on purpose?
4. Why then?
5. Was it in a lake?
6. What then?
7. Did the cat release him or keep a grip underwater?
8. What caused it to grip tighter?
9. Were they floating?
10. Was anyone else there?
11. Was he calm when the attack happened?
12. Had he seen cats before?
13. Only once?
14. What did he know about them?
15. What was his automatic response?
16. What was Henry's occupation?
17. What did he tell the cat to do?
18. What caused him to choke?
19. How could Dave tell where they were underwater?
20. Who finally got there?