"I don't know. Of course it's not a tiger, for there are none in this
country except in circuses. Maybe it's a wildcat."

"Oh, they are terrible. But this doesn't look like the wildcat Flaming
Arrow shot in the backwoods."

"No, it doesn't," agreed Alice. "But we must do something to save those
children!"

Tommy and Nellie, all unconscious of their peril, were still sorting
their blossoms beneath the tree.

"If we could only get them out of the way--somehow," urged Alice. "Then
we might hurry off before the beast could spring."

"But it might chase after us--and them."

"That's so. One of us had better go for help. You--you go, Alice. I--I'll
stay here," faltered Ruth.

"What! Leave you alone with that beast? I will not!"

"But what can we do?"

Alice thought for a moment. The animal in the tree had apparently not
seen them--its attention was fixed on the two children. Then, as the
girls watched, they saw it move slightly, while its tail twitched faster.

"It's getting ready to spring!" whispered Alice.