concerning the outcome; because Davy kept on asserting his positive
belief that it was a real true panther that lay in the aperture above,
and not a make-believe.

"I only hope Thad can dodge right smart if the old thing does come
whooping out at him!" was the way Davy put it; at which the eyes of
Bumpus grew rounder and rounder, and he began to quietly edge away from
under the tree, an inch at a time; for he hoped none of his chums would
notice his timidity, because Bumpus was proud of having done certain
things in the line of bagging big game, on the occasion of their trip to
the Far West.

"There," remarked Step Hen, "he's getting up pretty far now, and I
reckon must be close by the place where you saw your old panther, Davy."

"Yes," added Giraffe, "and you notice that Thad's marking time, so to
speak, for he's hanging out there, and trying to see what's above him."

"A scout should always use a certain amount of caution," interposed
Allan; "there are times when a fellow might take chances, if it's a case
of necessity, and quick action is necessary in order to save life; but
right now Thad's only carrying out the rule he's always laid down for
the rest of us.

"Be prepared, you know, is the slogan of every scout, and that's what
he's doing. He wants to be sure of his ground before he jumps."

"Hub!" grunted Davy, "if I'd stopped to count ten before I slid down, I
wonder now what would have happened to me. Some fellers act from
impulse every time, and you can't change the spots of the leopard, they