“Whew!  Hear what he says? will you?” remarked Frank.

“Why, yes, kid,” observed the old cowboy, in answer to a question Bluff had put, “sometimes I’ve knowed ’em to jump into a camp and snatch the meat right from under the nose of a feller.  Let a painter git good an’ hungry, an’ he ain’t afraid of anythin’ but fire.  Then, ag’in, I’ve knowed ’em to act as cowardly as coyotes.  I kinder reckon the season has considerable to do with their actin’.”

“But that was only one man.  The beast wouldn’t dare jump in a camp like this, no matter how hungry he might be?” continued Bluff, who seemed strangely interested in the subject, Frank thought.

The old cowpuncher laughed as though amused.

“That’s somethin’ I’d hate to commit myself on, younker.  All I say is a painter ain’t to be depended on.  He might prove a coward, like some cats, and again you’d be fair astonished at his darin’.  Long ago I made up my mind never to give him more of a chance than I could help.  It’s war to the knife between me and any such prowlin’ critter.  I can’t git my gun workin’ too quick to please me when I sees the yaller eyes of a painter hoverin’ round my camp.”

“Are their eyes always yellow?” asked Bluff eagerly.

“I reckons they are, kid; leastways all that I ever see was marked that way,” replied the cowboy, reaching out for a brand with which to light the cigarette he had been rolling between his fingers, just as Reddy was also doing at the time.

“Like those yonder, do you mean?” said Bluff, pointing behind Billy, to a point where the dense thicket came close to the border of the camp.

Every eye was instantly turned in that direction.  Frank himself was thrilled when he discovered that there were twin glowing eyes among those bushes, eyes that had all the attributes of the cat tribe.

Various exclamations arose from the group.

“By gum!  It’s a painter, sure as you live!” said Billy calmly.

“Never heard of one so bold!” whispered Reddy hoarsely, feeling for the weapon he usually carried attached to his belt.

“Everybody sit quiet, and see what he means to do.  He won’t attack us, but it may be you’ll see him make a jump for the balance of that sheep over yonder.  The scent of the game has aroused his hunger.  Look at him raise his head to see!”

Mr. Mabie spoke these words in a low but tense tone.  He was more or less excited by the strange actions of the prowling panther.

“I reckon it’s a mother, with hungry cubs near by.  She’s just bound to get some grub for the kits, men or no men.  Now, if you lie low, and watch, I reckon you’ll see something you never expected to see in your born days.”

Billy sat there motionless.  Only Frank saw the movement of Bluff when he raised his rifle, and while he would have warned his chum against the folly of firing, before he could frame words to carry his meaning, the quick report came, causing a sensation among those around the fire.