blowing all sorts of weird notes on his instrument.

Another man Max had heard of, upon finding himself at the mercy of a
tiger, being utterly unarmed, was inspired to throw himself over, so
that he stood upon his hands, waving both feet in the air, and in this
posture advancing, finally dropping upon all fours, and still running
toward the beast. Unable to understand what manner of creature this was
the tiger slunk away.

For a space of perhaps five minutes, which to Max were like so many
hours, the curious bobcat remained there, watching him as a cat might a
mouse at play. Then the boy plainly heard the animal give a snarl as of
utter disgust, and the glowing orbs vanished; while he could hear the
pat of velvet-shod feet as they landed on another log.

At any rate, the beast had withdrawn, much to the relief of the lad. And
again he was free to take up his own business of watching for the return
of the occupant of the strange cabin on Catamount Island.

Another period of waiting, and Max again caught a slight sound. At first
he feared that his former visitor, the bobcat, had returned with the
intention of making a closer investigation; but, after listening, he
became convinced that this was not the case.

Now it was a peculiar rustling among the dead leaves that lay under the
trees, no fire having ever swept across the island, at least for many
years. The sound was really continuous, and could hardly be made by the
passage of any animal--mink, skunk, weasel, 'coon, 'possum or even
muskrat.