20 A WEAPON OF NATURE. 



The female advanced with the slow, cautious movement of her species, her head 

 held low between her shoulders, which lumped up in a peculiar way as she walked, 

 her jaws slightly parted, her eyes fixed upon the youth, while an occasional growl 

 and her whole demeanor proved that she did not mean to give the road to him who 

 stood in her way. 



Bob saw the decayed bark of the tree crumble and break under the sharp claws 

 that pierced it, as she approached, and none knew better than he what the result 

 would be of a hand-to-hand encounter with such a ferocious foe. 



But what cause had he to fear with his formidable Winchester, which he 

 knew so well how to handle ? A minute or two must pass before the brute could 

 approach nigh enough to attack and that gave him abundant time in which to aim 

 and fire. 



The plan of turning to flee never once entered his mind, for such a course, in the 

 presence of a wild animal, inevitably hastens its assault. 



With that coolness which was one of the lad's most remarkable traits, he 

 brought his rifle to a level, and was taking aim at a point midway between the 

 glaring eyes, when he recalled that the magazine of his gun did not contain a single 

 cartridge ! 



Bob had disregarded the fundamental rule of the hunter, which is, after 

 discharging his gun, instantly to reload, so as to be ready for any emergency. 



True, the task of preparing his breech-loader was so slight that this rule lost 

 half its force, when the modern weapon was compared with the muzzle-loader of 

 our fathers' days, but the youth felt he had no time in which to get his favorite 

 weapon ready for the charge of the beast. 



He was the owner of a fine, five-chambered Colt's revolver, thrust in his hip 

 pocket, not to mention the knife at his .waist; but he might well distrust the effect- 

 iveness of those weapons after his experience with the male leopard. 



It was useless to regret his thoughtlessness, for at the moment he recalled it, it 

 may be said the peril was upon him. He had not time to prepare his gun, nor did 

 he wish to appeal to the revolver, though he hastily drew it, meaning to empty 

 every chamber into the front of the leopardess, before she could fasten her claws 

 upon him. 



At such times a person thinks fast. Bob was handicapped by his position on 

 the tree, and wished so strongly for more space in which to maneuver, that he 

 began moving backward, trying to do so with such deliberation that his foe would 

 not notice it. 



But this was extremely difficult, as you can readily understand, because of the 

 straitness of his support. It was necessary to step with the utmost care, and since 

 he was not a trapeze performer, he found himself unable to retrograde, keeping his 

 eyes on the beast at the same time, without imminent danger of being precipitated 

 into the deep waters beneath. 



At this moment, when it may be said matters had reached a crisis, a discovery 

 flashed upon Bob with the suddenness of inspiration. 



