With a quick motion Bob whirled about and took hasty aim; then fired. A second later the report of Joe's gun rang out. "Missed!" cried Joe in horror. "Both shots missed!" "Well, we won't miss again," said Bob, gritting his teeth. "We've got to stop him." Bob jumped to his feet and took aim. Five shots followed in rapid succession. Joe continued the defense with his revolver. When the deadly fire ceased, the tiger cat was literally riddled with bullets. It gave a convulsive twitch and rolled over, dead. "Finally stopped him," muttered Joe, his face wet with perspiration. "And a powerful fellow, too." "One can do a lot of things if he has to," remarked Bob, putting his gun back in its holster. The youths lost no time in getting out of the cave. They would have liked to remain in its cool retreat much longer, but they realized that it was necessary to get back to camp. "Won't our dads and the others be tickled beyond words when we tell them we've found water!" smiled Joe, as they crawled through the narrow passageway. "Tickled is too weak to describe it," said Bob. "I bet old Tishmak will hug us to death." At last they reached the outside and turned their footsteps toward camp. It was but a short distance away, beyond the tall precipice at the entrance to the cave. The youths put unusual energy into their legs and in but a few moments were met by all of their friends. Their fathers, in particular, rushed forward anxiously. "Where have you been so long?" demanded Mr. Holton, vexed to the utmost that the young men should stay away from camp for an indefinite period without giving an explanation of where they were going. Joe's father's temper was also wrought up. "Did something hold you back?" he asked. "Yes," Joe answered quietly. "Several things kept us from returning sooner. But it may interest you more if we tell you that we've found water." "Water!" Mr. Lewis was all excitement. "You mean--you actually have located a well?" Mr. Holton and Dr. Kirshner listened breathlessly. Fekmah translated joyfully to Tishmak. "Not exactly a well," returned Bob, "but something just as good. An underground pool. And how cool it is! Come on," he added. "I know you're all dying for a drink." Hastily the men followed their young companions over to the large cliff. Then, after crawling through the small opening, they found themselves at the edge of the pool of bubbling water. For a moment the men could hardly believe their eyes. At last! Water! Suddenly, as though urged on by some unseen power, they bent down and drank until they could hold no more. It was pleasure unthinkable! At last Dr. Kirshner straightened up. "I've never had such enjoyment in years," he said happily, and then added: "Lucky that our thirst was no worse than it was, or it would have been necessary to restrain ourselves from drinking too much at once."