Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

10 THE OLD STORY REVERSED. finds himself in a predicament, with his gun so far away from his hand. Every time he makes a move as if to secure it he is greeted with a growl, just as if the gray tiger-cat were warning. him against the act. ‘(Good Heaven! I guess I’m done for this time sure. Come all the way from New York—escaped the pit- falls set by the bears in Wall street, to be made a meal of by a miserable cat. Seems to me I ought to have a knife on my person’’—a search, a groan— “hang the luck! I loaned it to that wretch, Senator John, when we cooked dinner. That settlesme. How the demon glares at me. I’ve heard of the power of the human eye—here’s a chance to try it. Now for it!” It is a battle royal for a minute—Bob stares as though a kingdom were at stake—well, all he possesses in the world 1s. ‘lm afraid it’s no go—the beast looks as though he would spring at any minute. I must make a des- perate effort to reach my gun. Confusion! I don’t believe I charged it again after bowling over the rabbit that made our dinner. Unlucky fates—what shall I do—light up another cigar ?”’ This he actually proceeds to do, each movement being greeted with that ominous growl, for the savage beast, possibly, construes his action as one of defiance. He nas just tossed his match aside when the idea strikes him that if he could start a fire among the dead leaves he might scare the dreadful monster away, for all animals fear fire as Satan is supposed to regard holy water. Thinking thus, and mentally congratulating him- Connicooolks.Conn