fort and its surroundings.

Half of the rocks were passed when he came to a sudden halt. A low groan
ahead had reached his ears. As he stopped and listened the groan was
repeated.

"That sounds familiar," he thought. "I've heard that before. But where?"

At last he made up his mind that the sounds came from some wild animal
that was wounded, and plucking up courage he moved forward again, but
with his rifle before him, ready to shoot at the slightest provocation.

"The panther--and dying!"

The young officer was right. There on a shelf of rocks lay the wounded
beast, its breath coming short and heavy, and its eyes letting out a
glassy stare that caused the captain to shiver in spite of himself.

At the sight of a human being the panther tried to rise. But the effort
was too much for it, and it sank down, groaning with pain, in a pool of
blood which had formed.

At first Captain Moore thought to finish by putting a bullet through its
head, but then he remembered that ammunition was scarce and lowered his
rifle.

"He'll be dead by the time I get back," he thought, and continued on his
way up the mountain side.

At last the top was gained, and he looked around eagerly. At first only
the plain far below met his view, but presently he made out a spot which
he knew must be the fort. But all was in a blue haze, and no details
could be distinguished.

Having spent quarter of an hour on the mountain top he picked his way
back to where he had left the panther. The creature had now breathed its
last, and lay stiffened out on the rocky ledge.

"I must have something to eat, and so must Peck," he said to himself.
"Panther steaks may be tough, but they will be better than nothing.
I'll go back for the hunting-knife and cut off as much meat as we'll be
likely to need for a couple of days."

When he reached Peck's side he found the soldier sleeping quietly, and
did not disturb him. Going back, he cut off a generous slice of the
panther meat, leaving the rest to the wild beasts.

The captain hated to build a fire, fearing it would attract the
attention of the enemy, but he did not wish to eat the meat raw, and
presently, having no matches, shot his gun into the midst of some dry
leaves. By this means he soon had a blaze, which he fed with the driest
wood he could find, thus avoiding a great cloud of smoke. Over the blaze
he cooked the steak, which was soon done to a turn.

When Peck awoke he felt stronger, and readily