that riveted his attention immediately. At first he thought it was a
glowworm, or possibly a firefly that had not yet arisen from the lush
grass in which it lay concealed during the daytime.

Then, with a sudden shock, he realized what it was, for now there were
two of the glowing spots, and close together. The cat had turned its
head slightly, exposing both eyes. Like the orbs of all creatures of the
feline species its eyes in the darkness glowed as though they were made
of phosphorus.

It was far from a pleasant sight. Small wonder that the boy's hands
trembled a little as he raised his gun, so as to cover those twin spots
of yellow fire. He did not want to shoot, and only meant to do so as a
very last resort; but since there was no telling what the treacherous
brute might attempt to do, Max felt that he must keep himself in
readiness every second of the time.

One thing brought him a little reassurance; so far as he could ascertain
now, the bobcat was no longer advancing. Doubtless it lay there,
stretched out upon a convenient log, and intently watching the crouching
figure among the bushes, which it undoubtedly recognized as belonging to
the hated, and also feared, human family.

Max stared as hard as he could straight back. He wanted it to understand
that he was not in the least afraid, for that was what would count most
when facing a wild beast.

A woman had been known to set a tiger in flight by opening her red
parasol and rushing straight at him; while a bugler, about to be
devoured by a lion, frightened the animal away by waving his arms and