ext
room. Each one stretched himself out at full length, taking hold of the
leg of the man in front of him. In this way they worked themselves
through, like a great serpent.

A very peculiar sensation came to Willis, who was second in the line, as
he worked himself along the dark passage. "If the roof should cave in
just a little, what a death!" He was busy with such thoughts when Chuck,
who was just ahead of him, suddenly backed into him and whispered,
"Look!" He looked ahead, and there, somewhere in the darkness he saw two
small, yellow-green lights. Willis clutched Chuck by the arm and
whispered hoarsely, "It's an animal!" Word was passed from one to the
other as they emerged from the Auger Hole that there was a wild-cat in
the Mud Room.

Mr. Allen always carried a gun on these trips, unknown to the fellows. As
he took in the situation he quietly drew the revolver from his pocket and
took a few steps forward. He began to think what the possible results of
shooting might be. He had often heard of mines caving in as the result of
a loud report, and of the vibrations from shouts closing the entrance to
caves. It would be unwise to shoot, but perhaps more unwise to go away
and leave the animal there. Some unarmed party might fall upon it. Many
things were suggested, many possibilities talked over; but there seemed
to be some objection to all. The eyes seemed to go out now and then, and
occasionally there was a sad, low whine that made the cold chills run up
and down each fellow's back. Sleepy had made sure of his safety by
returning through the Auger Hole. Mr. Allen made no reply to their many
inquiries--he seemed to have lost his power of speech. He stood with
muscles taut and gun ready. He despised indecision, yet--what should he
do? He thought of the mountain lion that had been killed on the carriage
road to the Peak the spring before. Could this be its mate? He tried to
think what the characteristics of a bob-cat were. He wondered if perhaps
it had already attacked some one; perhaps killed him, and even now was
guarding the dead body--perhaps not dead yet. His arm twitched nervously.
He was losing his self-control. There was absolute silence now except for
the whine of the beast. Did a lion whine? He could not think.

They could not have told how long they stood there silent. Presently
Shorty Wier pushed himself to the head of the group and, without a
moment's warning, flashed his electric spotlight and began advan