Many and various were the opinions expressed, but no satisfactory solution was arrived at. The day closed dark and gloomy; great clouds swept across the sky, and the wind roared through the forest. It became so dark, and traveling so difficult, that Lawrence decided to camp for the night, and risk the chance of being overtaken. The place chosen to camp was a natural amphitheater which ran back into the mountains. It was overhung by the giant trees growing on the mountain. Supper over, the men sat for some time around their little campfire, talking over the events of the day; but gradually the camp became quiet, and nothing was heard but the stamping of the horses and the roaring of the wind. It was nearly midnight when the soldiers were aroused, not by the guard, but by Bruno, who came bounding into camp, growling fiercely, every hair on his back erect. He was trembling violently, either from fear or excitement. "Why, what's the matter, Bruno?" cried Harry. "I never saw you act like this before." "I believe he is scared," said Lawrence. "Andrew Jackson! Bruno scared!" "I never knew him to be scared," said Harry, "but I believe he is. See how he trembles." Before an investigation could be made, the horses began to rear and plunge, and the sentinels called out they were breaking loose. "See to the horses," shouted Lawrence. The men were just in time, as several of the horses had broken their halters. As it was, they had hard work to keep them from getting away. "The horses are badly frightened. They are trembling like leaves," said the men. "It must be some wild animal," said Lawrence. "Men, stay by the horses; Dan, Harry and I will investigate." Lawrence took a burning brand from the fire, and all three, well armed, started to find the cause of the trouble. Bruno at first hung back, but when he saw Harry start, he followed; but it was noticed he kept close to his master's side. The dog kept looking to the cliff back of their encampment. A large tree grew close to the cliff, and an animal could spring into it from the cliff. Cautiously the three men advanced. "See there," said Dan, pointing up in the tree. Lawrence looked, and saw up in the tree what looked like two coals of fire. "Hold your brand where I can see the sights of my gun," whispered Dan. Lawrence did so. Dan took a quick aim and fired. There came a terrible scream, a crashing among the branches, and then a huge panther lay struggling on the ground, tearing up the earth in his death agony. Bruno seemed to have recovered from his fright, for he was about to spring on the struggling animal, when Harry cried, "Back, Bruno, back!" Still Bruno would have rushed to his fate if Lawrence had not struck him a sharp rap over the nose with the burning brand. At last the beast lay still. "That was a good shot, Dan," said Lawrence. The ball had struck the panther squarely between the eyes. "What could have induced him to visit our camp?" asked Harry.