Part Five Summary

"Wildcat" details the obsession with a wildcat that is supposedly in the area. Old Gabriel is the grandfather to several of the boys in the story who intend to go out hunting the big cat. Old Gabriel tells the boys not to go that they do not have the right weapons to hunt a cat that is likely to kill them for blood. The boys scoff and say that wildcats only want cows, not people. Old Gabriel tries to convince the boys otherwise but the boys gently mock the old man, not believing that he knows anything at all about wildcats.

The whole way through the story, all the people comment on how they can smell the wildcat. No windows are open in case the cat should try to jump into the house and kill someone for his blood.

The cat...