or two, won't you?" asked Hamp.

"Yes, one of these is broken," Jerry replied. "Cut it thick."

Hamp chose a likely sapling and began to hack at it. Brick struck in now
and then. Upon the roof Jerry rearranged the disordered layers of pine
and spruce boughs. The boys anticipated a quick completion of the work
and then a much-needed sleep.

"Help! Help!"

The cry came from a pair of lusty and vigorous lungs. Their owner was
evidently some distance out on the lake and directly opposite the camp.

Jerry sprang back to the rock, and thence to the ground, landing
directly between his companions.

Again the appeal for help rang out, mingled with a blood-curdling
screech. Then followed a hoarse, quavering noise that sounded only half
human.

"Some one is in peril out there," exclaimed Jerry. "It must be one of
those strange men. The catamount has attacked him. We have got to rescue
him, fellows."

"And mighty quick, at that," added Hamp. "Come on."

The boys ran back to the cabin, where each grabbed a rifle. Then they
sped down the ravine and out on the slippery ice. The strange, unearthly
noise was twice repeated before they were twenty feet from land.

"It sounds like a college yell, only a good deal worse," declared Brick.

"I'll bet I know what it is," replied Hamp. "The man has no rifle, and
he's trying to scare the catamount off by screeching at it. I've heard
of old trappers doing that."

"And it often succeeds, too," said Jerry. "There, the fellow is calling
for help again."

"Hold on, we're coming!" shouted Hamp, at the top of his voice.

An answering hail floated back on the wind, and was speedily drowned by
an ear-splitting yowl from the catamount.

The boys ran on and on. As yet nothing was visible in the deep gloom
ahead.

"I wish we had brought a lantern," panted Hamp.

"Too late to think of that now," replied Jerry. "We've got to face the
music in the dark. If it comes to close quarters, I'll shoot at the
catamount first. You fellows be ready in case I miss."

A moment later the figure of a man loomed out of the misty gray
atmosphere thirty yards in advance of the boys. He was running toward
them at full speed, and brandishing a gun.

When the man came a little closer, the pursuing catamount could be seen
bounding along behind. Suddenly the man stopped. He turned around and
yelled savagely. The beast also stopped, and squatted on the ice.

The boys now came up with the stranger, who welc