The Black Panther of the Navaho

"Shore I'm shy a good hat! " exclaimed Big John whimsically, as they slackened speed and began to look about through the gloom for some sign of the Colonel and the pack train. He took off his old Montana Stetson and twirled it ruefully in his hands. It was black as the night, where it had been gray, and out of two holes up near the crown he stuck two fingers and wiggled them at the boys. "I shore oughtta go on the stage after that panther stunt, boys," he drawled, his face breaking into a slow grin. "When I left you, I worked around to whar the Injuns hed their big fire an' got me some charcoal. Then I crep' over to them rocks an' lay thar, waitin' till you come, and blackin' up the ole cage all over good. Then I cuts two holes in her, an' dolls her up with yore matches tied in two round bundles. Arter a while, when I thinks you-all shore must be hyarabouts, I spits on me hands and rubs them matches good. Shore 'twas funny! " he chuckled. "I looks me ole sombrero over an' like to hev scairt myself to death with them two fox-fire eyes glarin' at me out'n thet black hat! But 'twan't a fleabite to the way them redskins lit out, an' you two boys allowed to sell yore lives dear when I lets out that yelp intended to represent a panther's call an' oozes out into the scenery!"

"I was just frozen stiff with fright," admitted Scotty frankly. "We thought it was the Old Boy, himself, coming for us! -- I'm not sure about it, even now!"