While she spoke she had run into the hall and caught up Tom's light
rifle. She knew where his ammunition was, too. And she secured half a
dozen cartridges and put them into the magazine, having seen Tom load
the gun the day before.

"You'll shoot yourself!" murmured Helen.

"I hope not," returned Ruth, shaking her head. "But I hope I won't
have a chance to shoot the panther. I don't want to see that awful
beast again."

"I don't see how you dare, Ruth Fielding!" cried Helen.

"Huh! It isn't because I'm not afraid," admitted her chum. "But
somebody must tell those boys, dear."

Ruth had already seized her coat and cap. She shrugged herself into
the former, pulled the other down upon her ears, and catching up the
loaded gun ran out of the kitchen just before Mrs. Murchiston, who
had suddenly suspected what she was about, came to forbid the
venture. Ruth, however, was out of the house and winging her way down
the cleared path toward the pond, before the governess could call to
her.

"Oh, she will be killed, Mrs. Murchiston!" cried Helen, in tears.

"Not likely," declared that lady. "But she should not have gone out
without my permission."

Nor was Ruth altogether as courageous as she appeared. She did not