l he could hear was the occasional dropping
of water from one leaf to another over his head.

"Maybe I had better arouse the others," he murmured, for the barking
of the dog had apparently not disturbed them. "I am sure the dog
wouldn't bark unless there was a reason for it; would you, Dandy?"

Tom looked at the animal and saw the dog had his nose pointed up in
the tree next to that which the launch was under. He peered in the
direction and gave a start.

Was he mistaken, or had he caught the glare of a pair of shining eyes
fastened upon him? Tom was naturally a brave boy, yet a strange shiver
took possession of him. The dog now bristled furiously and gave two
sharp barks in quick succession.

"Hullo, what's up?" came from Dick, who was awakened.

"I believe there is some wild animal up yonder tree, spotting us,"
answered Tom. "I think I just caught a glimpse of its eyes."

This announcement caused Dick to rouse up, and taking his pistol he
crawled to the bow of the launch and joined his brother on the tree
limb. Just then the dog started to bark furiously.

"There he is!" cried Tom, and raised the pistol he had in his pocket.
There could be no mistake about those glaring eyes, and taking hasty
aim, he fired.

The report of the firearm had not yet died away when there came the
wild and unmistakable screech of a wounded bob cat--a wildcat well
known in certain portions of our southern states. At the same time
the dog began to bark furiously, and everybody on board the launch
was aroused.

"What's the matter?"

"Who fired that shot?"

"Vos dose rascals here to fight mit us alretty?"

"It's a bob cat!" cried Dick. "Tom just fired at it!"

"Look out, it's coming down!" yelled Tom, and that instant the bob
cat, unable to support itself longer on the tree limb, fell with a
snarl on the rubber covering of the launch, carrying it down upon
those underneath.

The next few minutes things happened so rapidly that it is almost
impossible to describe them. The bob cat rolled over and over, clawing
at the rubber cloth and ripping it to shreds. The boys tried to get
another shot, but did not dare to fire for fear of hitting each other.
But the dog leaped in and caught the bob cat by the back of the neck,
and an instant later cat and canine went whirling over the side of
the boat into the waters of the lake.

"They are overboard!" cried Sam.

"Make a light, somebody!" yelled Songbird. "It isn't safe in the dark."