He now began to feel more wonder than fear.
"What in the name of creation is the meaning of that concern, and what sort of animal is caged in it ?" he muttered, staying his retreat.
The Lieutenant debated whether or not to approach and examine the interior of the odd-looking hut.

It seemed hardly possible that any human being could be within, although it was certain there was some living object there.
"At any rate I'll stir him up," he concluded, resolutely approaching.
The growls were now redoubled, and he really believed some four-footed animal was the cause of all the uproar.
"It may be the Shawnees have attempted a little pleasantry after their bloody work, and caged up some poor creature within those logs," thought he.

"I'll let him loose if such be the case." He placed his hand upon the stump of a log nearest to him, when a thunderbolt appeared to have exploded before him.

He started back as though he had received an electric shock.

A perfect battery of howls was leveled against him, and for a moment his ears were stunned with the deafening uproar.