Some dull embers smouldered before it; for Herb, even
while preparing supper, had kept the camp-fire very low, lest any
wandering clouds of smoke should interfere with the success of his
calling.
Now he heaped it high, throwing on without stint withered hemlock boughs
and massive logs, which were soon wrapped in a sheet of flame, making an
isle of light amid a surrounding sea of impenetrable darkness.
Many times during the night the watchful fellow arose to replenish this
fire, so that there might be no decrease in the flood of heat which
entered the tent, and kept his charges comfortable. Once, while he was
so engaged, the placid sleepers whom he had noiselessly quitted were
aroused to terror--sudden, bewildering night-terror--by a gasping cry
from his lips, followed by the leaping and rushing of some brute in
flight, and by a screech which was one defiant note of unutterable
savagery.
"Good heavens! What's that?" said Cyrus.
"Is it--can it--could it be a panther?" stammered Dol.
"Get out!" answered Neal contemptuously. "The panthers have got out long
ago, so every one says.
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