Quotation from: The Valley of the Moon

Written by: Jack London

"Mightn't that be a panther, or maybe . . . a wildcat?"

"It can't be. All the varmints was killed off long ago. This is
peaceable farmin' country."

A vagrant breeze sighed through the trees and made Saxon shiver.
The mysterious cricket-noise ceased with suspicious abruptness.
Then, from the rustling noise, ensued a dull but heavy thump
that caused both Saxon and Billy to sit up in the blankets. There
were no further sounds, and they lay down again, though the very
silence now seemed ominous.