174 
THE PANTHER. 
we were last night. He killed one of Mr. 
Wilbur’s pigs. Only think of our mimick¬ 
ing them and laughing about them with 
one so near, and the hoys going off by 
themselves, too!” 
“ They were a good deal nearer than we 
were, it seems,” said Richard. “They 
heard it scream two or three times while 
they were gone after water, and found a 
place where it had scratched a tree. They 
told Mr. Crediton ; and that was the reason 
he was in such a hurry to get us out of the 
woods.” 
“But why didn’t you tell the rest of 
us?” asked Annie, rather displeased for 
a moment. “I think we ought to have 
known.” 
“Whatwas the use?” asked Sidney. “It 
would only have frightened the little ones 
and made it so much the more troublesome 
to take care of them. It would not have 
made any difference in the danger,—if danger 
there was; and they might just as well 
enjoy their walk.” 
“To-be-sure,” assented Annie, after a 
little reflection: “ it was the very best way; 
but I don’t believe I should have done it. 
