of he and lose a
shot here in the timber."

Never was Charley more excited. They continued on the trail with
increased caution. In every dark shadow Charley fancied he saw the
figure of a crouching beast about to spring upon them. He knew that a
lynx was a big cat, and he could not but wonder if, in spite of Toby's
assurance, it would not attack them from ambush. He had seen fierce
panthers in the zoo at home, and with every step the lynx grew in his
imagination to the proportions of the panther.

He recalled a story he had read of an attack a lynx had made upon a
hunter, and the more he thought of it the surer he was that at any
moment he would feel the lynx upon his back clawing and tearing at his
throat. Afraid, wild eyed, and peering into every shadowy recess as they
advanced, he still had no thought of deserting Toby. Come what might, he
was determined to see the adventure through. In this he was heroic. One
who faces danger without fear or appreciation of the danger displays no
bravery. But he who faces danger, drawn on by duty as Charley felt it
his duty now to stick by the side of Toby, believing himself in great
peril, but still not flinching, is truly brave.

The sun had dropped behind the western hills, and the first hint of
twilight was settling among the trees, when Toby without warning halted
and froze where he stood. Then it was that Charley saw in the shadows
ahead two eyes glowing like balls of fire and the outlines of a great
crouching creature.

IX

THE FAR WILDERNESS

Deliberately Toby raised his rifle to his shoulder, so deliberately that
Charley was sure the lynx would spring upon them before Toby could fire.
Charley held his breath, and then Toby's rifle rang out. The lynx gave a
feeble lunge, and the next instant lay crumpled in a heap.

"We got un! I knocked un over!" cried Toby exultantly as the two ran
forward to the prostrate animal.

"That was a fine shot!" Charley shouted, quite beside himself with
excitement, and now breathing freely again.

"He'll be a fine surprise for Dad!" exclaimed Toby, surveying the
carcass with vast pride. "Won't he and Mother be glad of un! The fur's
not prime, but 'twill be fair, and 'tis the first fur we gets this
year!"

"He won't kill any more of our rabbits!" Charley boasted, touching the
furry coat of the dead animal.

"The one he kills back there where we sees un, were the last un for
he," agreed Toby.

"How'll we carry it?" asked