The eyes were those of some wild beast, but what, Phil could not tell.
The animal was not looking at Phil, but at the carcass of the deer, which had been hung up in a low tree not far from the clump of bushes.
Stealthily the animal came into the opening, and with the ease of a cat, leaped into the tree.
"It's a wildcat--or something like it," thought Phil, and raised his gun to fire.

Then of a sudden he commenced to shake from head to foot, so that to aim was entirely out of the question.

He had what is commonly called among hunters "buck fever," a sudden fear that often overtakes amateur hunters when trying to shoot at big game.
"Oh, what a fool I am!" the boy told himself, and tried vainly to steady his nerves.

He hit the front tent pole with his foot, making considerable noise.
"What's the matter ?" cried Dave, waking and leaping to his feet.

"What are you doing, Phil ?" "Noth--nothing," stammered the shipowner's son.