Fred, as the growl was
repeated.

"Where did it come from?"

"I don't know. But it was close at hand."

Thoroughly scared, both boys looked on all sides. Then, of a sudden, Fred
let out another exclamation.

"There it is! Right on the shelf of rocks yonder! Oh, Andy, it's a
mountain lion!"

CHAPTER XXVII

THE MOUNTAIN LION

It was a time of extreme peril, and both of the Rover boys realized it.
The shelf of rock was not over twenty feet ahead of them, and on this
rested the mountain lion, crouched as if for a spring.

Fred had scarcely spoken when both horses began to snort and stamp their
feet as if wanting to turn and run away.

"Look out!" screamed Andy, "or the horses will take us right back among
those mad cattle."

With the discovery of the mountain lion, that lay close to the rocky
shelf with glaring eyes and tail that swept nervously from side to side,
the boys had noted that the animal was as much penned in as they were
themselves. Beyond the shelf was an overhanging cliff, so that further
progress in that direction was cut off completely. Had this not been so,
it is more than likely that the mountain lion would have turned and slunk
away, for like all wild beasts they do not fight unless they think it is
necessary to do so.

"Come on--give him a shot!" exclaimed Fred, as soon as he could recover
from his astonishment.

His weapon was handy, and in a moment the pistol rang out sharply, and
this shot was followed by one from his cousin.

Had the two boys been on the ground their shots might have been more
effective. But it was another task to aim from the back of a restive
horse that was threatening every instant to bolt, and so both bullets
merely grazed the mountain lion's side.

But these shots, mingled with those coming from the plain below, had one
good effect. The cattle had been stopped in their mad flight and now they
turned back in the direction in which the cowboys wanted them to go.

As the pistols rang out the mountain lion gave a scream of commingled
pain and rage. Then it crept forward several feet and made a movement as
if on the point of leaping for Fred and his steed.

"Back up! Back up, Fred!" yelled Andy, and fired a second time, and his
cousin did likewise.

This time the aim of the boys was better, and the mountain lion was hit
in one of the forelegs and in the flank. It made a sudden leap, but the
wound in the leg made it fall short, and it fell down between t