CHAPTER XIV

A TELEPHONE CHASE


The excited screaming of the other girls brought Mrs. Murchiston to
the hall in a hurry. When she heard what had caused the excitement
she called the maids, intending to send one of them for Mr. Cameron.

But just then the woman--a farmer's wife along the road--began
talking to Ruth again, and the maids learned from her answers into
the 'phone the cause of the excitement. Go out into the open when the
catamount might be within a couple of miles of the lodge? No, indeed!

Mary threw her apron over her head and sank down on the floor,
threatening hysterics. Janey was scared both dumb and motionless.
These women who had lived all their lives in towns, or near towns,
were not fit to cope with the startling incidents of the backwoods.

The woman on the wire explained to Ruth that she was telephoning all
along the line toward Scarboro, warning each farmer of the big cat's
approach.

"But if it keeps on in the same direction it was going when we saw
it last, the creature will strike Snow Camp first," declared the
excited lady. "You must get your men out with guns and dogs to stop
the beast if you can. It's mad with hunger and it will do some
dreadful damage if it is not killed."