CHAPTER XVIII
Dick and the Panther
Dick Dare had no doubt that the animal in the pit with him was apanther. He judged by the growl, which was stronger than would have beenthe case had the animal been a wildcat.
He felt that he was indeed in a serious predicament. Had he had hispistols, or even a knife, he would have stood some chance to hold hisown against the animal, but he had no weapons of any kind.
So he simply stood still, at one corner of the pit, and kept his eyes onthe two balls of fire.
There was silence for a few moments, and then Dick saw the two red spotsmove, and he was confident they were advancing toward him, slowly butsurely.
Dick guessed that the animal had likely been but a short time in thepit, and was not hungry, still he realized that he had before him adangerous antagonist.
What should he do? What could he do? He did not feel that he could doanything, but he was tired of standing still, and so he began movingslowly along the wall, his back against it.
When he had taken a few steps, his foot struck against something, andfeeling down, he found that it was a limb of a tree perhaps as large ashis arm. Instantly his heart gave a leap of delight. Likely this was alimb that had been used by the person who dug the pit, to climb up outof the pit on, after shooting an animal that he had trapped, and if Dickcould get the limb leaned up against the wall, he might be able to climbout, though he would likely be attacked while trying to do so.
He would try, however, and he lifted the limb, and leaned it against thewall, at the corner, and at the same moment he heard the low, menacinggrowl of the animal. He whirled about, quickly, and yelled "Scat,"waving his arms frantically. The animal slunk away, with a snarl offright.
Then Dick turned, and seizing hold of the stick, began climbing withdesperate energy and swiftness. He expected every moment to feel theclaws of the animal, but did not, and to his delight he succeeded inreaching the top of the pit and getting out on solid ground.
He did not know how long he had been in the pit before regainingconsciousness, but guessed it was not long.
He heard the growls of the animal and its footfalls as it went runningaround the pit, but this did not worry Dick now. He was at a point theanimal could not reach, and safe from attack.
Dick stood there a few moments, listening intently. He did not hear anysounds to indicate the presence in the vicinity of any Indians, or ofhis friend, Ben.
Dick presently gave the signal whistle, the same as Ben had done whensearching for him, and listened intently, but heard no response. Againhe repeated the signal, with the same result, and he knew that Ben wasnot within hearing.
Dick pondered a few moments. What should he do? Which way should he go?Should he return to Peaceful Valley, or should he go on towardNinety-Six. What would be Ben's course?
After giving the matter considerable thought, Dick decided to continueonward toward Ninety-Six. He believed that Ben would do the same, and hewas eager to find Tom, and was somewhat anxious regarding his fate.
"Yes, I'll go on in the direction of Ninety-Six," murmured Dick. "LikelyBen will do so, and I will meet him again, and if not, I may find Tom."
So Dick set out through the forest, heading toward the west. He walkedsteadily for two or three hours, and then, feeling tired, he lay down atthe foot of a tree and was soon asleep.
When he awoke it was morning, he rose and looked about him. On all sideswas the wilderness, the timber being all around him. Nowhere were thereany signs of Indians.
"I wish I could find a settler's home," murmured Dick. "I am feeling theneed of some food. Well, perhaps I may happen upon one, soon."
Then he set out, still heading westward, and walked steadily onward anhour or so, when he came to a little cabin in an open space in theforest.
"Good," thought Dick. "Now, I shall be able to get something to eat,likely."
Dick advanced and knocked on the door, which was opened a few momentslater by a tall, roughly-dressed man, who looked like a hunter andtrapper.
"Good morning, sir," greeted Dick. "I would like to get something toeat."
"All right, stranger; come right in," was the reply. "Ye are welcome toall the grub ye can eat, such as it is."
"Thank you," said Dick, and he entered and took a seat, while his hostplaced some meat and corn cakes on the rude table at one side.
"Now set up here, and eat all ye want," said the man.
Dick did so, and when he had talked with the man a few moments, helearned that he was a hunter, but that he was a patriot, and the youthlearned that it was about forty miles to Ninety-Six.
"If ye're going over in that part of the country, ye'll have to keepyour eyes open," said the hunter. "The redcoats and redskins both arethick over thar. Only yesterday the savages caught a couple of youngfellows and were going to burn them at the stake. I was about an' with afriendly Indian's aid crawled up just in time to cut loose their bondsor they would be on the road to kingdom come before now."
"My kind preserver," gasped Dick, "I thank you for myself and for Ben,my comrade."
Naturally there was a long talk, and Dick repeated time and again hiswords of appreciation. Finally with a last grasp of the kindly hunter'shand he took his departure.
The man insisted on Dick taking a package of food with him, which theyouth did, and he was glad afterward that he did so, for he did not comeupon another cabin during that day, and would have had to go hungry, butfor the supply he had brought with him.
He camped that night at a point which he judged was perhaps ten milesfrom Fort Ninety-Six, and slept quietly till morning.
He ate the last of the food the hunter had given him, and then set outin the direction of Ninety-Six.
About three hours later, he came to a wide open space, and looked withinterest at what he knew was Fort Ninety-Six, standing near the centerof an open space of goodly size.
"There's Ninety-Six," murmured Dick, gazing at the fort eagerly. "Iwonder if Tom is a prisoner there?"
The Dare Boys with General Greene Page 18
