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"You sure had a long sleep," was the hunter's greeting "I reckon you both look better"

"GoodOr is it afternoon? We're just able to move about," said Helen

"I could ride," declared Bo, stoutly "Oh, Nell, look at the deer! It's co back a little as Dale reached the caray, slender creature, s ears erect, and then with a graceful little trot came up to Bo and reached a slim nose for her outstretched hand All about it, except the beautiful soft eyes, seemed wild, and yet it was as ta ears, it gave a start and, breaking away, ran back out of sight under the pines

"What frightened it?" asked Bo

Dale pointed up at the wall under the shelving roof of rock There, twenty feet froe tawny animal with a face like that of a cat

"She's afraid of Touess I can't make friends of theh! No wonder that deer ran off!"

"How long has he been up there?" queried Helen, gazing fascinated at Dale's faoes," replied Dale "But I sent hiht"

"And he was there--perfectly free--right over us--while we slept!" burst out Bo

"Yes An' I reckon you slept the safer for that"

"Of all things! Nell, isn't he a monster? But he doesn't look like a lion--an African lion He's a panther I saw his like at the circus once"

"He's a cougar," said Dale "The panther is long and sli, but thick an' round I've had hier 'n ot him"

"Is he perfectly tame--safe?" asked Helen, anxiously

"I've never told anybody that Tom was safe, but he is," replied Dale "You can absolutely believe it A wild cougar wouldn't attack akitten"

The beast raised his great catlike face, with its sleepy, half-shut eyes, and looked down upon them