The experiment met with an immediate success, for there broke forth a fresh series of explosive snarls even more ferocious than any that had gone before. Steve drew up in a hurry, evidently under the impression that he was in danger of being made the object of an attack. "Yes, she's there still, Jack!" he exclaimed, just as though there could be any doubt of such a thing. "I saw her move, in the bargain," his companion went on to say. "She has kept on a line with us all the while, and still bars the way." "This is simply disgusting," fretted Steve. "It's something that can't very well be helped," Jack told him: "and so what's the use of feeling bad about it. There are other days coming, when we may be able to pass along here without being balked by a mother cat with kittens. You know the old saying, 'what can't be cured must be endured,' so we'll have to make the best of it." "Does that mean we're at the end of our rope for today, Jack?" "Seems that way, Steve; the cat rules the roost this time, apparently." CHAPTER IX BACK TO THE WOODS CAMP Steve had a fairly well developed stubborn streak in his nature, and he certainly did hate to give a thing up, once he had got started. Worst of all was the fact of their being compelled to acknowledge defeat through a miserable wildcat; had it been a panther now, a tiger, or a lion, he might bow to the inevitable with a good grace; but cats, in his mind, were always to be associated with the night-singing Tommies at home, for which species he felt a contempt that could best be displayed by a rock thrown from a bedroom window. "Shucks! I hate to do it, but just as you say, Jack, the beast is set on drawing a regular dead line ahead of us, which we can't pass without a fight. So when you're ready give the word and we'll quit cold. I'll never feel like telling any of the fellows at home, though, how two of us were forced to turn tail by just one measly cat." "We might sit down here for a spell, and see if the brute will slink away," suggested Jack, evidently also averse to giving up so easily. "Good idea," agreed Steve; and accordingly they found a convenient log upon which they could rest while waiting to see how the plan worked. Time passed, and Steve kept his face turned toward the spot where the last savage snarl had been heard. He had a vague suspicion that perhaps the beast might try to stalk them, just as he had seen a domestic tabby do a sparrow at home. When fully ten minutes had crept by Jack made a slight move. "Well, we can't hang out here much longer," he was saying; "already the afternoon is so far along that I'm afraid we'll never be able to get back to camp before dark sets in. Let's make a move, and test things." Hardly had they done so than once again they heard a repetition of those warning growls. Jack shrugged his shoulders and laughed drily.