m.

A stranger would have been at a loss to guess what sort of creature
could produce so frightful a sound, but Madame La Tour recognized it at
once, and she perceptibly shrank closer to Raoul as she said in a
startled voice:

"It is a _loup cervier_, Raoul, and right in our way!"

CHAPTER VII

AT CLOSE QUARTERS

Raoul knew the scream also, and something about the animal from whence
it came, and he first looked carefully at his gun to make sure that it
was ready for instant use, and then peered into the obscurity of the
thick evergreens, in the attempt to locate the fierce brute which had
thus challenged their passing.

What Madame meant by _loup cervier_ was what is now known as the
"Indian Devil," or catamount, a species of puma that could be very
dangerous when in a fighting humour, as this one evidently was.

"Don't be frightened, Aunt Constance," said Raoul sturdily. "I'll
shoot him dead the moment I see him," and he brought his gun to his
shoulder as he spoke.

"Wait, wait until you can see him plainly," said Madame under her
breath. "You must not miss."

There was a rustling among the branches, another blood-curdling scream,
and then the hideous face of the creature appeared, its eyes flaming
with fury, and its cruel teeth showing white among the rigid bristles
that protruded from its furry cheeks.

Now if Raoul had been alone, he would assuredly have been nervous
enough to make it a difficult matter to take good aim, but the presence
of his aunt made him forget himself utterly in his loyal determination
to protect her from the impending peril. He felt as firm as a rock.
Not a nerve quivered, and, aiming straight between the baleful eyes, he
fired.

The report rang out on the still evening air, and was instantly
followed by a snarling shriek from the wounded animal, so charged with
fury that Raoul instinctively pressed his aunt back out of the path.

Just as he did so the puma sprang at them, for it was not killed, a
slight movement of its head as Raoul fired having caused the bullet to
strike too high, and plough through the fur on the forehead, instead of
burying itself in the brain.

Raoul's sudden movement caused the brute to fall short, and ere it
could gather itself to spring again the boy, clubbing his gun, struck
at it with the heavy butt.

It was the best thing to be done under the circumstances, and yet, when
the maddened catamount, squirming around as if it were made of rubb