The panther turned aside from the trail and with silent grace leaped to the ledge, gaining a position on a level with Ollie—still unconscious of its presence. A cold sweat broke out on the big man’s forehead. The great hands worked. His breath came in quick gasps. It could not be laid to his door. He had only to withdraw, to stop his ears and run, as he had fled that afternoon. God! How slowly that thing crept forward, crouching low upon its belly, its tail twitching from side to side, nearer, nearer. Young Matt felt smothered. He loosened the collar of his shirt. The moon—the moon was so bright! He could even see the muscles in the beast’s heavy neck and shoulders working under the sleek skin. Suddenly the words of the shepherd came to him, as though shouted in his ears, _“Remember the other beast, lad. Don’t you see it is this victory only that gives you the right to think of yourself as a man?”_ Ollie was almost brushed from his place as the big mountaineer sprang from the shadow, while the panther, startled by the appearance of another man upon the rock, paused. An exclamation of fright burst from young Stewart, as he took in the situation. And the giant by his side reached forth a hand to push him back, as he growled, “Shut up and get out of the way! This here’s my fight!” At the movement the wild beast seemed to understand that the newcomer was there to rob him of his prey. With a snarl, it crouched low again, gathering its muscles for the spring. The giant waited. Suddenly the sharp crack of a rifle rang out on the still night, echoing and echoing along the mountain. The panther leaped, but fell short. The startled men on the rock saw it threshing the ground in its death struggle. “That was a lucky shot for you,” said Ollie. “Lucky for me,” repeated Young Matt slowly, eyeing his well dressed companion; “Well, yes, I reckon it was.” “Who fired it?” The big fellow shook his head in a puzzled way. Stewart looked surprised. “Wasn’t it someone hunting with you?” “With me? Huntin’? Not to-night;” muttered the other still searching the hill side. “Well, I’d like to know what you were doing here alone, then;” said Ollie suspiciously. At his tone, Young Matt turned upon him savagely, “’Tain’t none of your business, what I was a doin’ here, that I can see. I reckon these hills are free yet. But it’s mighty lucky for us both that someone was ’round, whoever he is. Maybe you ain’t thankful that that critter ain’t fastened on your neck. But I am. An’ I’m goin’ to find out who fired that shot if I can.”