the moment it appeared. He started in his place.
He recognized it instantly as the most feared of all the wild
things in the mountain wilderness--a panther. He saw it sniff the
footprints on the trail--Ollie's footprints. He saw it pause and
crouch as it caught sight of the man on the rock.

Instantly wild and unwelcome thoughts burned within the strong
man's brain. The woodsman knew why that thing had come. Against
such a foe the unconscious weakling on the rock there, calmly
puffing his cigar, would have no chance whatever. He would not
even know of its presence, until it had made its spring, and its
fangs were in his neck. The man of the wilderness knew just how it
would be done. It would be over in a minute.

The giant clenched his teeth. Why had he not gone on to his home
after leaving the shepherd? Why had he followed that impulse to
stand again where he had stood that afternoon? Above all, what had
possessed him--what had led him to creep to his present position?
He shot a quick glance around. How bright--how bright the moon
was!

The panther turned aside from the trail and with silent grace
leaped to the ledge, gaining a position on a level with Ollie--
still unconscious of its presence. A cold sweat broke out on the
big man's forehead. The great hands worked. His breath came in
quick gasps. It could not be laid to his door. He had only to
withdraw, to stop his ears and run, as he had fled that afternoon.
God! How slowly that thing crept forward, crouching low upon its
belly, its tail twitching from side to side, nearer, nearer. Young
Matt felt smothered. He loosened the collar of his shirt. The
moon--the moon was so bright! He could even see the muscles in the
beast's heavy neck and shoulders working under the sleek skin.

Suddenly the words of the shepherd came to him, as though shouted
in his ears, "Remember the other beast, lad. Don't you see it is
this victory only that gives you the right to think of yourself as
a man?"

Ollie was almost brushed from his place as the big mountaineer
sprang from the shadow, while the panther, startled by the
appearance of another man upon the rock, paused. An exclamation of
fright burst from young Stewart, as he took in the situation. And
the giant by his side reached forth a hand to push him back, as he
growled, "Shut up and get out of the way! This here's my fight!"

At the movement the wild beast seemed to understand that the
newcomer was there to rob him of his