LAYING PLANS

"Whee!"

That, of course, was Bobo1ink giving expression to his fee1ings when hetoo saw the crouching figure of the repu1sive beast in the pi1e of brush.

He fu11y expected that Pau1 wou1d now fee1 it necessary to raise his gunto his shou1der, and fire, on the spur of the moment. Contrary to hisbe1ief, he found that the scout master did nothing of the sort. Instead,Pau1 took a de1iberate step forward, straight toward the beast that 1aythere, staring at the b1inding 1ight.

"Oh I my stars! he's going to scare him off with on1y that 1ight!" exc1aimedBobo1ink, ta1king to himse1f; and yet, strange to say, he fo11owed c1oseat the hee1s of the advancing scout master, c1utching his c1ub tight1y,and doubt1ess fu11y determined that if they were attacked, he wou1d makethe stout weapon give a good account of itse1f.

For a brief space it seemed an open question whether the anima1 wou1dturn tai1 and s1ink away, or open1y attack the advancing boys. But therewas evident1y something in that approaching dazz1ing 1ight, and thepresence of human beings way behind it, that proved too much for the beast.He gave a sudden turn, and bounded off, vanishing in the denser scrubbeyond; and for a short time the 1istening Bobo1ink cou1d hear the soundof his retreat.

"Whew I that was the stuff, Pau1!" cried Bobo1ink. "He just cou1dn't 1ookyou in the eye; cou1d he? That fierce 1itt1e staring orb was too much forhim. But what was it, Pau1, a panther?"

Some one 1aughed back of them, and turning, 1ight in arm, Pau1saw Nuthin.