Henry's hand moved slowly to the end of a stick, the other end of which was a glowing coal.

Then he seized it and hurled it directly at the inquisitive head.
The hot end of the stick struck squarely between the yellow eyes.

There was a yelp of pain, and the boy heard the rapid pad of the big cat's feet as it fled into the swamp.

Then he turned over on his side, and laughed in genuine pleasure at what was to him a true forest joke.

He knew the panther would not come, at least not while he was in the hut, and he calmly closed his eyes once more.