“They see us,” Frank said, a little later, when they had approached much closer to the floating tree, in the branches of which the fugitives of the flood clung. “The man is shouting something, and sure enough, he seems to be pointing at the other end of the log, as if—great Cæsar!” “What is it, Frank?” asked Will, anxiously; “is the tree sinking?” “Something seems to be crouched there on the butt end of the floating tree,” was what Frank went on to say; “there, it moved then, and crawled up a yard or so nearer the people in the top. Boys, get a gun out; for I believe it’s a panther!” CHAPTER XXI—THE NEW OWNER OF THE HOUSEBOAT “A panther!” echoed Bluff, springing alongside Frank, where he could see better. “Well, what do you think of that?” cried Jerry; while old Luther came hurrying out of the cabin. “Oh! Frank, get your rifle, quick!” put in Will, nervously. “Bluff’s pump-gun isn’t such a bad weapon, after all; but with such a beast a rifle ought to be the right thing.” Frank seemed to have the same idea, for he hastened into the cabin; and when he immediately returned carrying the repeating gun that had served him on many occasions in the past, Will appeared to think that it was all over but the shouting, such was the confidence he felt in his chum. “How is it now?” asked Frank, as he came up. “Why, the tree is heading this way; that is, I mean we seem to be bearing straight down on it,” Jerry replied; and considering the excitement that all of the chums were laboring under just then, it was not strange that he found himself mixed up slightly in his description of the way things were going. “If we keep on gaining we’ll come mighty near running the tree down,” Bluff added. “And then you’ll get a chance to give the panther his passage ticket.” “But the tree acts queer,” Will declared. “Every now and then it just swings, and turns around. Now you see it, and now you don’t. Sometimes the branches are heading in our direction, and again it’s the butt; with the ugly cat lying there waiting till he gets good and hungry, when he expects to make a meal from one of that poor family.” “Huh!” grunted Bluff, “I rather think that critter is keeping an eye on us. Chances are he just feels it in his bones that we’d be bound to break up his dinner party, somehow; eh, Frank?” “He’s moving,” replied the one addressed; “and seems to be creeping toward the people right now!” “Sure!” declared Jerry; “you can hear them hollering to beat the band; but they make so much noise I don’t seem to be able to understand anything they say.” “They’re trying to tell us what the panther is doing; and begging us to shoot him as quick as we can,” Frank said, with a serious look on his face. “Which same you’re only too willing to do, I reckon?” remarked Bluff.