can,
spitting out the poison."

"Good gracious!" cried Bobolink, "but won't he get the dope instead of
you, then?"

"It would never hurt him," answered Paul, quickly, "unless he happens to
have a cut about his mouth. If that is the case he must never try to
suck a snake bite. Hot water will help nearly as well as sucking. Then
use some of the strong ammonia that is in a little bottle, to burn the
wound. Never mind the pain, for your life is in danger. Another bottle
holds some aromatic spirits of ammonia, which can be taken inwardly, as
it is useful to keep up the strength and nerve of the wounded fellow."

"Is that all?" asked the interested Jud.

"Pretty much all," Paul went on. "Don't keep on the tight cord or
bandage more than an hour, for it stops circulation, and might bring on
mortification, father says. Ease up on it for a bit. The arm will sting
like fun, but stand it. If the patient shows signs of collapse, tighten
the cord again for a time. Do this several times until you can take the
cord off for good."

"Oh! I see," said Bobolink; "by that time the poor chap will either be
recovered or else have kicked the bucket. But I do hope none of us get
mixed up with one of that old cripple hunter's left-overs. I'm going to
keep my eyes about all the while."

"That's a good idea," declared Paul, laughing; "and every fellow ought
to follow suit. But let's go back to the camp now, boys. We've had about
as much as anybody can cram into their head at one time."

"Here, Paul, please take a look at these marks, and tell me what sort of
an animal made 'em!" called out Jud, who had been bending over, half on
his knees, as if deeply interested in what he had found.

All of them hurried to the spot.

"Perhaps he's found the spoor of a runaway elephant!" suggested
Bobolink, wickedly, with that passing circus in mind.

"More'n likely," observed Philip Towne; "it's a wildcat that's been
prowling around the camp. Once, when I crawled out to take my watch, I
thought I saw a pair of yellow eyes staring at me over the edge of that
little cliff back of the tents."

Paul made no remark. He was himself bending over now, and looking at the
ground just where Jud pointed. Those who were watching him saw Paul
start, and look closer.

"It must be a lynx; or perhaps a regular old panther has come down here
from the North Woods," said Bobolink, really beginning to believe such a
thing might be so.

"Hardly," remarked Paul; "bu