Page:They who walk in the wilds, (IA theywhowalkinwil00robe).pdf/39

 charge, flying wild, buried itself harmlessly in the side of the barn.

In the next instant, even as he clubbed his gun to meet the expected assault, he was astounded to see his supposed adversary rolling coaxingly at his feet, uttering sounds which were an unmistakable purr. His tense grip on the gun relaxed; and his amazement hitched itself up a few more holes as he saw the children fling themselves joyously upon the monster, pulling its ears and fondling its formidable jaws—while the monster, obviously delighted with their attentions, purred louder and louder.

Jim Atkinson stepped back and scratched his chin thoughtfully as understanding dawned upon him. That very day, at the post office in Bird's Corners, he had read a placard signed by one Merivale, offering a reward of three hundred dollars for the capture, alive and unharmed, of his escaped puma. The placard went on to say that the animal was harmless and affectionate, and answered to the name of Mishi.

"I'll be damned if 'tain't the very one," he muttered. "An' if it hadn't been for Sadie bein' that quick, I'd have shot him!" This was an unpleasant thought, and he dismissed it.

"Mishi," said he authoritatively, "come here!" And the monster, gently disengaging himself from the children, came fawning to his knees, overjoyed