Frank, the Young Naturalist | Page 6

active for his age, and possessing a good share of
determined courage that sometimes amounted almost to rashness, it
must be confessed that his feelings were not of the most enviable nature.
He had not yet discovered the animal, but he knew that he could not be
a great distance off, for the weight of the trap and clog would retard
him exceedingly; and he judged, from the appearance of things, that he
had not been long in the trap; perhaps, at that very moment, his glaring
eyes were fastened upon him from some neighboring thicket.

But the young naturalist was not one to hesitate long because there was
difficulty or danger before him. He had made up his mind from the first
to capture that wild-cat if possible, and now the opportunity was fairly
before him. His hand was none of the steadiest as he drew off his glove
and placed his fingers to his lips; and the whistle that followed was low
and tremulous, very much unlike the loud, clear call with which he was
accustomed to let Brave know that he was wanted and he hardly
expected that the dog would hear it. A faint, distant bark, however,
announced that the call had been heard, and in a few moments Frank
heard Brave's long-measured bounds as he dashed through the bushes;
and when the faithful animal came in sight, he felt that he had a friend
that would stand by him to the last extremity. At this juncture Frank
was startled by a loud rattling in the bushes, and the next moment the
wild-cat sprang upon a fallen log, not half a dozen rods from the place
where he was standing, and, growling fiercely, crouched and lashed his
sides with his tail as if about to spring toward him. The trap hung from
one of his hind-legs, but by some means he had relieved himself of the
clog and chain, and he moved as if the weight of the trap were no
inconvenience whatever. The young naturalist was frightened indeed,
but bravely stood his ground, and clutched his ax desperately. What
would he not have given to have had his trusty double-barrel in his
hands! But he was not allowed much time for reflection. Brave
instantly discovered the wild-cat, and sprang toward him, uttering an
angry growl. Frank raised his ax and rushed forward to his assistance,
and cheered on the dog with a voice which, to save his life, he could
not raise above a whisper. The wild-cat crouched lower along the log,
and his actions seemed to indicate that he intended to show fight.
Brave's long, eager bounds brought him nearer and nearer to his enemy.
A moment more and he could have seized him; but the wild-cat
suddenly turned and sprang lightly into the air, and, catching his claws
into a tree that stood full twenty feet distant, ascended it like a streak of
light; and, after settling himself between two large limbs, glared down
upon his foes as if he were already ashamed of having made a retreat,
and had half a mind to return and give them battle. Brave reached the
log just a moment too late, and finding his enemy fairly out of his reach,
he quietly seated himself at the foot of the tree and waited for Frank to
come up.

"Good gracious!" exclaimed the young naturalist, wiping his forehead
with his coat-sleeve, (for the exciting scene through which he had just
passed had brought the cold sweat from every pore in his body); "it is a
lucky circumstance for you and me, Brave, that the varmint did not
stand and show fight."
Then ordering the dog to "sit down and watch him," the young
naturalist threw down his ax, and started toward the house for his gun.
He was still very much excited, fearful that the wild-cat might take it
into his head to come down and give the dog battle, in which case he
would be certain to escape; for, although Brave was a very powerful
and courageous dog, he could make but a poor show against the sharp
teeth and claws of the wild-cat. The more Frank thought of it, the more
excited he became, and the faster he ran. In a very few moments he
reached the house, and burst into the room where Uncle Joe and Archie
and two or three hired men sat at breakfast. Frank seemed not to notice
them, but made straight across the room toward the place where his
shot-gun hung against the wall, upsetting chairs in his progress, and
creating a great confusion.
"What in tarnation is the matter?" exclaimed the farmer, rising to his
feet.
"I've found the wild-cat," answered Frank, in a scarcely audible voice.
"What's that?" shouted Archie, springing