ill thrashed around, snapping and
snarling in a fashion that would have frightened any hunter.

The shot from the gun awakened the fury of the first wildcat, and
crouching low it came toward Whopper step by step, its two eyes
glowing like tiny electric lights. Whopper tried to run, but he
was fascinated by the sight and too much overcome to move a step.

"Look out, Whopper!" screamed Snap, and then he raised his own gun
to take another shot. But the hammer merely clicked. He tried it
again, in increased haste, and as a consequence shot wild, the
charge going over the wildcat's head.

Then the wildcat made a leap, striking Whopper and hurling him
over backward. As he went down the second wildcat lurched itself
forward, and in a twinkling both were on the young hunter, snapping
and snarling as though about to eat him up!

CHAPTER XIX

SOME UNLOOKED-FOR GAME

It was a moment of dire peril and no one realized it more than did
the young hunter who had been attacked by the two wild beasts of
the forest. Like a flash he rolled over and doubled up to prevent
the wildcats from reaching his head and neck.

This quick movement sent the animals to the ground, and as they
landed Snap jumped forward and struck one of the wildcats with
the stock of his gun. It was a telling blow, for by luck more
than judgment it crushed the beast's skull.

The attack on its mate caused the other wildcat to pause. Then,
filled with a sudden fear, and failing to get at Whopper's throat,
it commenced to retreat.

"It's running away!" shouted Snap. "Kill it, Shep!"

The doctor's son had been dancing around, trying to get in a shot
without injuring Whopper.

Now he leveled his shotgun and banged away. It was a close-range
hit, and the head of the wildcat was almost blown from the body.

It was several seconds before the three boy hunters realized that
the battle was at an end. Slowly Whopper turned over and looked at
the two dead animals. He rose to his feet, panting heavily.

"Are they bo---both dead?" he asked.

"As dead as nails," answered Snap.

"I thought I was---was going to be---be chewed up!"

"It was a narrow escape."

"Say, after this, do you know what I think? I think we had better
kill the beasts first and take the pictures afterward!"

"Then we'll not have such good photos," returned the doctor's son.

"Yes; but what good are photos to a fellow if he gets killed?"
questioned Whopper ruefully.

"W