suppose that the huge cat that had so frightened her and the strange
boy that Mr. Cameron had brought up from Cheslow, was very near Snow
Camp as yet. Yet she glanced aside as she ran with expectation in her
eyes, and when of a sudden something jumped in the bushes, she almost
shrieked and ran the faster.

There was a crash beside the path, the bushes parted, and a great,
fawn-colored body leaped out into the path.

"Oh, Reno!" Ruth cried. "I never _was_ so frightened! You bad
dog--I thought you were the cat-o'-mountain."

But immediately she felt that her fear was gone. Here was Tom's
faithful mastiff, whose tried courage she knew, and which she knew
would not fail her if they came face to face with the panther.

She hurried on, nevertheless, to the pond, to warn the boys; but to
her surprise, as she approached the ice, she heard nothing of the
truants. There was no ring of steel on the ice, nor were their voices
audible. When Ruth Fielding reached the ice, the pond was deserted.

"Now what could have happened to them? Where have they gone?"
thought the girl.

She hesitated, not alone staring about the open pond, but looking
sharply on either side into the snow-mantled woods. Reno remained by
her and she had a hand upon his collar. Should she shout? Should she
call for Tom Cameron and his mates? If she called, and the terrible
cat was within earshot, it might be attracted to her by the sound.