thing they are out on the lake looking for us. They can't
see the tunnel in the dark."

"Mebbe they are half-starved and need help more than we do," suggested
Hamp. "We've got to go out and see, fellows."

"That's right," cried Jerry. "Come on."

He snatched the lantern and dived into the tunnel, followed by his
companions. They had not the slightest doubt that Raikes and Bogle were
outside.

In their confidence and hurry, they committed the grave error of leaving
their rifles behind. It never occurred to them that the strange cries
might have another and totally different origin.

So, with empty hands, the lads crawled hastily forward on hands and
knees down the long, straight passage that led to the open lake.

Suddenly a sharp, blood-curdling cry vibrated on the pent-in air, and
that instant a long, tawny beast, with glaring eyeballs, took shape in
the gloom, just beyond the lantern's flashing rays.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE LAST OF THE CATAMOUNT.

Before the boys, at a distance of barely twelve feet, crouched the huge
catamount, screeching with fury and hunger.

Bitterly, in that awful moment, did they repent the folly of venturing
forth unarmed.

Brick and Hamp grabbed each other, and stared wildly about as though
they expected a way of escape to open before their eyes.

Jerry was two feet in front of his companions, and when he saw that the
hungry beast was about to spring, he uttered a terrific yell, and nearly
let the lantern drop from his nerveless fingers.

The cry was wrung from his lips by sheer fright, but it served a good
and unexpected purpose. The catamount was disturbed by the shrill echoes
of a human voice. He turned tail instantly, and bolted several yards
down the tunnel. Then he wheeled around again, and squatted low. His
fiery eyes glared at his intended victims, and his long tail smacked
the snow. He wailed several times in a whining key.

The boys were too badly scared to realize or to follow up their
advantage. For the moment they were without wits or presence of mind.

"Run!" yelled Jerry; "run for the cabin!"

Running was out of the question, but the boys did the next best thing.

Turning around, they fled up the passage on all fours, momentarily
expecting to feel the claws of their enemy. Six arms and six legs
revolved wildly. Jerry held grimly to the lantern, and it's friendly
light showed the way.

But ere the lads