"Are their eyes always yellow?" asked Bluff eagerly.

"I reckons they are, kid; leastways all that I ever see was marked that
way," replied the cowboy, reaching out for a brand with which to light
the cigarette he had been rolling between his fingers, just as Reddy was
also doing at the time.

"Like those yonder, do you mean?" said Bluff, pointing behind Billy, to
a point where the dense thicket came close to the border of the camp.

Every eye was instantly turned in that direction. Frank himself was
thrilled when he discovered that there were twin glowing eyes among
those bushes, eyes that had all the attributes of the cat tribe.

Various exclamations arose from the group.

"By gum! It's a painter, sure as you live!" said Billy calmly.

"Never heard of one so bold!" whispered Reddy hoarsely, feeling for the
weapon he usually carried attached to his belt.

"Everybody sit quiet, and see what he means to do. He won't attack us,
but it may be you'll see him make a jump for the balance of that sheep
over yonder. The scent of the game has aroused his hunger. Look at him
raise his head to see!"

Mr. Mabie spoke these words in a low but tense tone. He was more or less
excited by the strange actions of the prowling panther.