The moon, which had risen, made the surroundings quite visible. Turning my head, I saw my father some distance away standing perfectly still, his face turned toward the road, his rifle raised to his shoulder. I also stood still, scarcely breathing, until he set his rifle on the ground. As he did so he glanced at the house. Seeing me he called out roughly, "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to go in?" "Is it a tiger?" I said with teeth chattering. "I don't know," he answered; "but do as you're bid." I had to obey, and stepping in, soon cuddled myself under the heavy fur coat that served as my comforter. But though I lay down I could not fall asleep until my father came in and quietly but a little more slowly than usual, got ready for bed. I heard my mother whisper: "Did the tiger come?" and father's answer: "I think so, but for some reason he went away." "Will he return?" from my mother. "How do I know?" came impatiently from my tired father, and I fell asleep. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 10: The Siberian tiger, one of the finest in the world, is found only in the Eastern part of the country.--THE EDITOR.] CHAPTER VII THE NIGHT ALARM A few hours before dawn I was awakened by our dog barking angrily, yet with a peculiar note showing fear and disdain. I could also hear him leaping up and down in one spot near the very door of our house. Instead of answering barks, the neighboring dogs gave forth long and deep howls. There was such a noise and mooing of the cows in the corral that it seemed to me they must be trying to stamp or hook each other to death. Father and mother were already up, and I heard father's deep command: "Get me a lantern." As soon as the match was lit I saw him as he stood in his night shirt but with his fur hat on his head and a rifle in his hand. As soon as the lantern had been lit, he seized it and rushed to the door, putting on his overcoat as he ran. I arose hastily, put on my fur coat, grabbed the hatchet lying by the stove, and followed just as he cheered on the dog who ran before him to the corral, barking loudly.