wisely.

"Then out with it, Frank, and don't keep me wondering. Besides, I
reckon that we'll have another bellow from the old mountain at any time
now."

"I guess you didn't notice something queer about that animal, then,
Bob?"

"About the panther, you mean?" came the reply. "Well, to tell the
honest truth I was knocked all in a heap when I missed hitting him, and
didn't have time to bother looking at him close enough to see anything.
But what was so funny about him, Frank? Did he have only one eye; or
was he three-legged?"

"Oh! nothing of that sort," declared the other; "so far as I know he is
in possession of all his members. It was about his neck."

"What about it? Did he have a rubber neck, you mean?" demanded Bob,
trying to be a little humorous so as to conceal the fact of his
excitement.

"The beast had a collar on!" Frank remarked, positively; "and that
means he must be the pet of somebody who has a hiding place in this
cave!"

CHAPTER XVIII

A GUESS THAT HIT THE BULLSEYE

As Frank made this astonishing declaration his chum looked blankly at
him, the information having evidently surprised him not a little.

"A tame panther, you mean, Frank?" he exclaimed, weakly.

"That's just what I'm hinting at," replied the other, positively.

"With a collar around his neck, too?" murmured Bob.

"Yes. I saw it as plain as I see you now," Frank went on. "It was
when I jumped forward, and gave him the first crack that made him fall
away in a hurry. A collar that was broad and stout. Why, Bob, when he
threw back his head to avoid punishment I could even see where a chain
could be fastened, and the animal kept in confinement."

"Whew! but he acted like a wild one, all right," protested Bob.

"He sure did, Bob; but that was because he had already been stirred up
by the fight with Spanish Joe. I reckon the cowboy must have give him
a few jabs with that handy knife he owns. Anyhow, the panther was
spoiling for a scrap, and didn't care a cent how many there were."

"That was before you gave him his finish with that fire-stick, Frank.
Didn't that knock the old chap silly, though? Why, it took all the
fight out of him, for a fact. He was the tame panther all right when
he ran away, with his tail between his legs. Think he'll tackle us
again?"

"No telling; but I don't believe the beast cares much for running
against my torch again. It might pay for both of us, though, to keep
on the watch,"