Mrs.Walton lay awake sometime listening to the sounds outside the tent.

The crackling of underbrush and rustle of dry leaves was familiar enough in the daytime, but they seemed strangely ominous now that the lights were out.

She could not help thinking of what the Colonel had told her of the escaped panther.

She imagined the panic it would make if it should suddenly appear in their midst.

Then she thought of Hero's protecting presence, and, raising herself on her elbow, she looked across the tent to where she knew he lay asleep.