146 
WILD AMERICANS 
“But this one is wild, not like the house cats , 11 ex- 
plained Uncle Ely. “It is much larger and stronger . 11 
“Will he hurt us ? 11 
“He could, but he won't. Wildcats are afraid of 
people, but if you cornered this one or caught him 
with your hands, you would have some lively scratch- 
ing and biting . 11 
“He growled at us awfully, Uncle Ely ! 11 Ginger 
was still awed. 
The three moved a bit closer to the cat's lair, back 
in the shadows, and instantly a menacing snarl and 
growl of warning was heard. 
“That's cat talk, all right," Uncle Ely said. “But 
he wouldn't act as dangerous as he sounds. If we get 
any closer, he will spring out and run for his life. He 
would — 11 
Uncle Ely never finished. 
Spitting and yowling, the beast leaped from the 
ground and rushed past the three people. 
Ginger screamed. Quick as lightning Uncle Ely 
jumped in front of the two children. Buck was white 
with fear, but he made no sound. 
In a second the cat was several feet above them, in 
a tree. 
He made a beautiful picture there, his warm red- 
