The wildcat had turned to retreat, but the guide was too quick for it, and down went the beast with a shot through its head.

It gave a shudder or two, and then stretched out, dead.
"Is he--he dead ?" panted Dick, when he felt able to speak.
"Reckon so," responded John Barrow.

"But I'll make sure." And catching up a club, he aimed a blow which crushed the animal's skull.
"That was a narrow escape," went on Dick.

"If you hadn't come to my aid, I'm afraid he would have done me up." And he shivered from head to foot.
"You want to be careful how you attack wildcats around here, lad.

It aint likely they'll tech you, if you don't tech them.