They looked
curiously at Ned, who still carried the flaming brand in his hand.
"A noise like the sound of thunder away off wakened me up," said the
Panther. "Now, what have you been up to, young 'un?"
"Me?" said Ned lightly. "Oh, nothing important. I wanted to make some
investigations in natural history out there in the bushes, and as I
needed a light for the purpose I took it."
"An' if I'm not pressin' too much," said the Panther, in mock humility,
"may I make so bold as to ask our young Solomon what is natural
history?"
"Natural history is the study of animals. I saw a panther in the bushes
and I went out there to examine him. I saw that he was a big fellow, but
he ran away so fast I could tell no more about him."
"You scared him away with the torch instead of shooting," said Obed. "It
was well done, but it took a stout heart. If he comes again tell him I
won't wake up until it's time for my watch."
He was asleep again inside of a minute, and the Panther followed him
quickly. Both men trusted Ned fully, treating him now as an experienced
and skilled frontiersman. He knew it, and he felt proud and encouraged.
The panther did not come back, but the wolves did, although Ned now paid
no attention to them.
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