The late-rising moon swung up from behind the dark tree-tops.

The panther had crept to within a few feet of the shack.

Suddenly it crouched and sprang upon the roof of the little camp! When it struck the flimsy roof, the boys woke up.

For an instant the whole frail structure shook; then it reeled and partly collapsed.

The boys sprang up, and as they did so a big paw with claws spread burst through the roof and came down between them! The claws opened and closed as the paw moved to and fro.