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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rocky Mountain Boys, by St. George Rathborne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Rocky Mountain Boys
+       Camping in the Big Game Country
+
+Author: St. George Rathborne
+
+Release Date: October 19, 2011 [EBook #37803]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOYS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOYS
+
+or
+
+Camping in the Big Game Country
+
+By
+
+St. George Rathborne
+
+Chicago
+
+M. A. Donohue & Co.
+
+Made in U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAPTER I--COMRADES OF THE TRAIL
+  CHAPTER II--IN POSSESSION OF THE DUGOUT
+  CHAPTER III--THE FIRST GOOD LUCK
+  CHAPTER IV--THE WOLF PACK
+  CHAPTER V--A FIRST TASTE OF VENISON
+  CHAPTER VI--FELIX TAKES HIS TURN
+  CHAPTER VII--UNAVOIDABLE DELAY
+  CHAPTER VIII--PLENTY OF TROUBLE
+  CHAPTER IX--ADRIFT IN THE SNOW FOREST
+  CHAPTER X--TURNING THE TABLES
+  CHAPTER XI--THE BUCK'S HEAD
+  CHAPTER XII--BURNING OUT A HONEY THIEF
+  CHAPTER XIII--HUNTING THE BIGHORN
+  CHAPTER XIV--A WAKEFUL NIGHT
+  CHAPTER XV--OUT FOR A GRIZZLY
+  CHAPTER XVI--THE TERROR OF THE ROCKIES
+  CHAPTER XVII--WHEN MUSIC WAS PLAYED OUT
+  CHAPTER XVIII--A HARD CUSTOMER
+  CHAPTER XIX--BREAKING CAMP--CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOYS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+COMRADES OF THE TRAIL
+
+
+"We must be pretty nearly there now, Tom, I take it!"
+
+"I reckon we'll sight the dugout inside of half an hour or so, Felix; if
+the description, and the little chart old Sol Ten Eyck gave me, are
+correct."
+
+"Well, I'll sure be glad when we arrive, because this pack is getting
+heavier, it seems to me, every hour now. One thing certain, Chum Tom,
+we'll go out of this part of the country a heap lighter than we're
+coming in; with all this good grub swallowed up after two months
+roughing it. Been three days on the trail now, since Frazer turned us
+loose out of his big bull-boat."
+
+They were two pretty well-grown boys, the one tall and slender; while
+the other, whom he called Tom, seemed stockily built, with the ruddy hue
+of perfect health on his sun and wind tanned cheeks.
+
+Tom was really Tom Tucker, and the taller young hunter, Felix Edmondson.
+Besides repeating rifles of a modern make, and such ordinary
+accompaniments as ditty bags and hunting knives, the lads were carrying
+heavy packs on their backs, to each of which were also strapped a pair
+of snow-shoes, proving that they anticipated staying around the
+foothills of the great Rocky Mountains, for some time at least, and were
+prepared for getting around when several feet of snow covered the
+ground.
+
+They were in a region not a great distance from the border of that
+Wonderland which Uncle Sam has transferred into a grand playground,
+known far and wide as the Yellowstone Park. In fact, a range of the
+Rocky Mountains towered almost above them as they looked up, standing
+out against the blue afternoon sky like a rock-ribbed barrier.
+
+Around them lay the great forest that in many places grows at the base
+of the giant uplifts that are well called the back-bone of the
+continent. It was a wild region, seldom pressed by the foot of man; save
+when some Indian or trapper chose to pursue his calling--the "primeval
+wilderness," Felix was fond of calling it, in his humorous way.
+
+Felix was a city-bred boy who had ambitions to take up his father's
+profession later in life, and shine as a surgeon. But not being very
+strong, it was under this parent's wise advice that he was now knocking
+off for a year from his studies, and getting in the great Outdoors all
+he possibly could, in order to build himself up, so as to have a good
+foundation for the hard work that lay before him.
+
+And he was succeeding wonderfully, since there is nothing better under
+the sun to change a weakly boy into a sturdy man than this free life of
+the Wild West. If proof of this statement were needed, it could be
+demonstrated in the life of Theodore Roosevelt himself, who took the
+same course of treatment.
+
+As for Tom Tucker, he had always lived pretty much in the open ever
+since his father bought that Wyoming cattle range with its herds.
+Between times Tom had attended school, so that he was far from being
+ignorant; the fact of his great love of reading also put him in touch
+with what was going on in the world, whether in the line of scientific
+discoveries, exploration, or the constant change in the map of nations.
+
+The two lads were really cousins, and it was while Felix was paying a
+long promised lengthy visit to the home of the other that this trip to
+the foothills of the Rockies was discussed and decided on.
+
+Just at present the one great ambition in the life of the city lad was
+to bag a genuine grizzly bear. He had done considerable hunting of
+smaller game, having spent two seasons in the woods, one up in Maine,
+and the other in Canada. While he had more than one deer to his credit,
+besides wildcats, and even a wolf, Felix had conceived a desire to come
+face to face with the most dreaded wild animal of the American wilds,
+the grizzly.
+
+So they had organized this expedition, being taken in a bull-boat as far
+on the way as was possible; and after that manfully shouldering their
+heavy packs. Under such conditions they did not cover many miles a day,
+which accounted for their being so long on the road.
+
+But as Tom Tucker had said, they were now pretty near the end of their
+trail, and he fervently hoped that ere darkness descended they would
+have reached the goal of all their ambitious progress.
+
+An old trapper with whom Tom had spent part of a season in another part
+of the big game country, had a dugout up here, in which he used to
+hibernate winter after winter, sometimes with a tried and true
+companion, often absolutely alone; content to live his simple life under
+the shadow of the mighty Rockies, and take his toll of the fur-bearing
+animals that frequented this favored region.
+
+Tom had a rude map of the country, as well as directions, how to find
+the dugout when he got there. And here the two boys anticipated putting
+in about two months of the late fall and early winter, doing a little
+trapping, just for fun, and considerable hunting besides.
+
+Naturally they expected having a glorious time, as what boy, with a love
+for the woods and the chase, would not?
+
+The leaves had long since turned a russet brown, and any day now they
+might expect the first snow of the season to fall. It was a time when
+the bracing air was filled with a tonic which Felix needed more than
+anything else in the wide world; and as his lungs filled with its
+life-giving qualities, the boy from the Far East was never tired of
+telling how different he was feeling from the conditions of a few months
+back.
+
+As they struggled onward, hoping at almost any minute now to sight their
+goal, the two boys exchanged remarks concerning the matters that were
+naturally uppermost in their minds.
+
+"You said that Old Sol hadn't been up here for several seasons now,
+didn't you, Tom?" the taller lad was asking.
+
+"Why, yes," the other replied, "you see, the old fellow isn't as strong
+as he used to be, and does his hunting nearer his sister's home. Fact
+is, she won't let him come up here any more; and there are a lot of
+youngsters in her family, too, that Sol has become interested in. So
+he's satisfied to keep around there, if only they let him take a week
+now and then in the woods, with a comrade. That's how I came to know
+him, and often we spent some mighty fine days together. He taught me
+about all I know of trapping, and lots besides about the habits of big
+game animals. I'm itching to make use of some of the things that Old Sol
+handed down to me."
+
+"And the traps he said he had catched up here, do you reckon, now,
+they'll be in decent condition, or rusted all to pieces?" Felix
+continued.
+
+"Well," Tom observed, "he said he had rubbed them all over with bear's
+grease, and rolled them up in a leather cover, before he hid them away;
+so he expected they'd keep in fair shape many years. We'll have to take
+our chances on that. It wasn't the hope of making anything at trapping
+that fetched us away up here, you know. That's only a little side issue,
+you might say, just to see if we've learned anything about the game."
+
+"One thing sure, Tom, this region doesn't seem to be overrun with
+settlers, seeing that we haven't met a solitary soul these three days;
+while game seems fairly plentiful, because we sighted seven black-tailed
+deer on the way, and had a peep at some bighorn sheep yesterday away up
+on the mountain."
+
+"I've seen no sign of any one around but they told us below that once in
+a while some Indian was known to be in this part of the country, doing
+his winter's trapping. And you remember, they said that if we happened
+to run across an old Shoshone chief, who now goes by the name of Charley
+Crow, and who sometimes acts as guide for Eastern sportsmen, we ought to
+cultivate his acquaintance, because he has the reputation of being the
+straightest redskin in the whole State of Wyoming."
+
+"I remember that they said he was really a halfbreed," remarked Felix;
+"but his wife is a full blood. Perhaps we may happen to run across the
+old fellow while we're up here. I'd like to meet him, wouldn't you,
+Tom?"
+
+"Well, I don't know," replied the other, with a shrug of his broad
+shoulders, on which the big pack seemed to rest so easily in comparison
+with the way that of Felix gave him trouble; "I must say, that so far
+I've never run across an Injun I'd care much to cultivate. They're not
+what they used to be. The white man's whisky has changed them terribly.
+In the old days they never worked, only hunted; and went to war; while
+the squaws did all the drudgery in camp. And now, as a rule, they are
+just satisfied to loaf their lives away, fed by the bounty of the White
+Father at Washington--gambling and drinking, and doing a little stealing,
+when everything else fails them."
+
+"But on the reservations many of them farm, and I understand with
+success, too," remonstrated Felix.
+
+"Oh, sure, that must be a fact," admitted Tom, readily enough, "though
+I've never seen it; but others have told me that many of the braves have
+taken to farming, and are doing well. I was only speaking of the Injuns
+who wouldn't change their way of living. But Felix, take a look at that
+monster tree over there. Seems to me that answers the description Old
+Sol gives of the big one overhanging his hidden dugout."
+
+Felix heaved a sigh of relief, as with one hand he mopped his forehead,
+using a red bandana handkerchief which he wore knotted around his neck
+in true cowboy fashion; for despite the coolness of the day, the labor
+had heated him up considerably.
+
+"I hope so, Tom," he remarked, trying to act as though after all it was
+not such a vital matter whether or not they came upon the shack that day
+or the next; but all the same his eyes eagerly sought the vicinity of
+the big tree, and he was trying to make out something vaguely resembling
+the shape of a rough dugout near its base.
+
+They kept on advancing, and Tom suddenly gave utterance to an
+exclamation of intense satisfaction.
+
+"We've arrived, all right, Felix!" he declared, positively. "It must lie
+in that tangle under the shadow of the tree. And say, this just suits me
+all to the good. Look around, and think of spending a whole two months
+in such a grand stretch of country. Here are the woods around us, where
+we must surely find lots of deer and other game; and there stands the
+range of mountains, where you're going to bag that grizzly you want so
+bad, not to speak of big-horns, such as can be found in no other section
+of the known world, I'm told. For one I'll feel like dancing a jig if it
+turns out that we've come on Old Sol's shack at last."
+
+"Well, it'd take a whole lot to tempt me to do that same," chuckled
+Felix; "and anyhow, I'm not going to begin till we make sure. When I
+throw this pack down for the last time I'll be pretty happy, though,
+Tom, believe me."
+
+"It has been pretty hard on you, Felix, for a fact," observed the other,
+"for the reason that you've not been used to carrying heavy packs on
+your back, like I am. Look at my shoulders and see what I could stand. I
+wanted you to let me take more of it in my load, you remember."
+
+"Oh! just as if you hadn't picked out all the heaviest things already,"
+declared Felix, indignantly, "why, I'm dead sure your bundle weighs a
+third again as much as mine does, right now. I'd be ashamed to let you
+tote it all, Tom, however willing you were. But do you see anything that
+looks like that blessed old dugout?"
+
+Hardly had he asked this question than the other started on a run.
+
+"That's what I do, Felix, right through that screen of bushes that
+serves to hide it from any one who didn't have a tip it was there. Make
+up your mind we're at the end of our long tramp, and in another hour
+you'll smell smoke, perhaps the tempting odor of coffee cooking. Hurrah!
+what did I tell you, old boy?"
+
+There could no longer be any doubt, for as they broke their way through
+the vines and brush that had not been disturbed for several years, they
+looked upon a sort of half cabin, and the rest dugout. The rise of the
+ground had allowed Old Sol to construct an ideal winter hiding-place,
+with the great mountains to protect him from the worst of the chilling
+northwest winds and storms.
+
+Down went both packs instantly. Tom began to caper around, to show his
+delight, and Felix actually followed suit; but more to get some of the
+"kinks" out of his weary leg muscles, for that last day's tramp had
+sorely tried the city boy.
+
+"Here it is, just as he described it to me!" exclaimed Tom, staring hard
+at the singular little shelter where the trapper had spent many a happy
+season, content to gather his share of the pelts of the wild animals
+that wore valuable fur; and secure enough meat for his own consumption
+from the elk, black-tailed deer, or it might be, some antelope that
+lingered late in the Fall in the grassy valleys of the foothills.
+
+"I suppose we might as well take a look in," remarked Felix, presently.
+
+"That's right," replied the other, readily enough. "You see, such a
+thing as locks are unknown in this country. Notice that the door has a
+bar on the outside that simply holds it shut when the owner is away, so
+that wild animals will not have a chance to sneak in, and steal his
+grub. Well, all we have to do is just to give this bar a turn--whew! she
+moves hard, as if stuck there--then push open the door, and enter!"
+
+Tom Tucker was carrying out his words to the letter, but just as he
+started to push the door back the two boys heard an ominous savage growl
+that came from within the cabin.
+
+Immediately Tom, being a boy of quick action, drew the door shut again,
+and at the same time swung the stout bar into place; after which he
+turned around to look at his amazed companion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+IN POSSESSION OF THE DUGOUT
+
+
+"Wow! would you hear that, now?" exclaimed Tom. "Pleasant sort of
+welcome to a pair of tired, footsore pilgrims, I should say."
+
+"By George! there's some sort of animal that thinks it owns the shebang,
+and has made its den in the dugout!" remarked Felix, in a tone of
+astonishment.
+
+"Just what's happened," continued his chum, stepping back, rifle in
+hand, in order to look around; "but what's bothering me, is to know how
+the beast got in, when both door and window blind were closed tight.
+Why, to be sure, it was the easiest thing going, to drop down that
+chimney! Old Sol forgot to fix that against a smart bobcat!"
+
+"A bobcat!" echoed Felix, "do you think that's all it was? Sounded to me
+heavier than any cat's growl I ever heard. You must have whoppers up
+here in Wyoming, when you find them at all, Tom."
+
+"Why, what did you think it could be?" asked the other, quickly.
+
+"My first idea was that it might turn out to be a panther," said Felix,
+"or one of those bad fighters that they call Indian devils; but then,
+you ought to be the best judge. No matter what it is, we want that
+shack, don't we, Tom?"
+
+"And we're going to have it, right away, Felix, as soon as we can
+dislodge that critter. I was in hopes he'd crawl up out of the chimney,
+and give us a crack at him; but it looks like he was too smart to try
+such a dodge, with two handy guns waiting to bowl him over."
+
+"Suppose I pound on the door, and give him notice that he'd better be
+making his way out as fast as he can," proposed the taller lad.
+
+"Let me do that, while you stand here, ready to give him a bullet the
+instant his head shows above the top of the chimney; that's made of
+slabs, you notice, and mud baked so hard that it's more like cement now.
+The light ain't all it might be; but by stepping over here, you ought to
+get him against that brighter background. All ready, are you, Felix?"
+
+"Go ahead; and it's just like you, Tom, waiting to give me the first
+chance at everything. Knock him up, and tell him to vamose the ranch,"
+with which Felix raised his Marlin repeater to his shoulder, and stood
+at attention.
+
+With the butt of his rifle Tom gave several sharp pounds on the door of
+the dugout cabin. In response, the hairy occupant simply growled some
+more. Again did Tom tap his summons, and the growling continued.
+
+"That's what I call real sassy," chuckled Tom. "He says he won't budge
+an inch, if we have got a quit claim deed from Old Sol to this shack!
+And he wants to know what we're going to do about it, either."
+
+"I don't suppose it would be the right thing to do to open the door, and
+rush the beast," remarked Felix. "They're a bad lot, and scratches from
+their claws are apt to give a fellow blood poisoning, unless he's got
+the stuff to counteract it. How are we going to dislodge that cat, Tom?"
+
+"You watch my smoke," went on Tom, "and in this case that ain't just a
+figure of speech, either, let me remark."
+
+"Smoke! Oh! I'm on to your game, old fellow; and let me say it's the
+best thing we could do. Want any help?" Felix remarked, deeply
+interested.
+
+"Not me," sang out the other, who had laid his gun aside, and seemed to
+be looking around for certain dead twigs, and such things as would be
+apt to take fire readily; "I'll get a little blaze started, and then
+give this green weed a chance to smoulder. It'll put up the rankest
+smell you ever did whiff, and when I toss the same in through the door,
+take my word for it that cat will soon make a run up the chimney."
+
+He busied himself for another minute, and then struck a match. As a
+little fire started Tom stepped back and gathered an armful of a certain
+weed that had not yet been killed by the frost. This he threw upon the
+flame, when immediately a dark smoke began to rise. As Felix got a scent
+of it he gave a snort.
+
+"You're sure right, when you said that beat anything I ever ran up
+against," he declared, vigorously; "whew! it must be the stink-weed of
+the Indians. Nothing else could throw off that awful smell."
+
+"Just what it is; and now take care, for I'm going to open the door a
+little to toss the stuff inside," replied Tom.
+
+"I see our finish, if that weed ever gets to smoking inside the dugout,"
+sighed Felix, rather disconsolately, as he held his fingers to his nose,
+and tried to deep his rifle in position at the same time.
+
+"Oh! we'll soon chase that out with coffee and such things," returned
+the cheerful Tom; "besides, you've got to stand lots of things when you
+can't help it. Here goes, Felix. Now, Old Claws, will you be good?"
+
+He gathered up the smouldering weeds, and opening the door with one
+hand, suddenly tossed his burden within, slamming the barrier shut
+again, and turning the bar. They plainly heard some heavy object come
+with a crash against the door, as if the cat had sprung savagely, hoping
+to land on its enemy, as it undoubtedly considered the one who was
+bothering with its peaceful occupation of the apparently abandoned
+shack.
+
+Snatching up his gun, Tom sprang back to where he too could get a dim
+view of the top of the short chimney, not more than ten feet away.
+
+"You first, remember, Felix; I'm only going to break in if you fail to
+get him," he said, hastily.
+
+They plainly heard the cat jumping around within the place, as though it
+resented the odor of smoke, and such smoke too! Felix certainly could
+sympathize with the animal.
+
+"He's coming!" warned Tom, suddenly.
+
+A distinct scratching sound came to the ears of Felix. He understood
+what must be the cause of this; the inmate of the dugout was about to
+vacate. Defying all other arguments, the cat had to succumb to that of
+smoke from the stink-weed.
+
+Felix kept his eyes fixed on the top of that stumpy chimney, and his
+gunstock was already fast against his shoulder.
+
+"There," exclaimed Tom, as something pushed up into view, and the form
+of a big bobcat was seen emerging.
+
+It had just about all appeared in view, when the report of the Marlin
+sounded sharply through the neighboring woods, where perhaps a gun had
+not been fired for several years, so far as they knew.
+
+"Back!" cried Tom, dragging at the arm of his comrade, as the monster
+cat came whirling down toward them, in such a mixed-up mess that it was
+impossible to say whether the animal were in its death throes, or making
+a savage leap at its tormentors, though in either case it was the safe
+policy to sheer off.
+
+When the cat landed on the ground they both saw that it had received its
+death wound, and hence there was no need of a second shot from either of
+their guns.
+
+"That settles him for good," remarked Tom, when, with a last spasmodic
+movement, the savage looking beast stiffened out. "Nice to have such a
+warm welcome, eh, when you get to your future snug home? Now to kick
+that weed out of doors in a big hurry, Felix."
+
+"Go slow," warned the other.
+
+"What for? Do you think there might be another inside? Not much. If one
+had to vacate, the other would have been on his heels. This was an old
+hermit cat, without any family, I guess; and a buster, too. Here goes,
+then."
+
+With that he flung open the door. No growling greeted them, which was a
+pretty good indication that the shack had yielded up its entire quota of
+cats.
+
+Tom jumped in and in a trice had tossed out the smouldering weeds; which
+Felix trampled under foot, until they ceased to give out any smoke or
+smell.
+
+"Pretty rank in here, what with the cat and the weed; hard to tell which
+is the worse," declared Tom; "but we'll remedy that right quick."
+
+Both boys bustled about, getting wood for a fire; and Tom selected as
+much fragrant burning fragments as his knowledge of the forest trees
+allowed. They carried this into the dugout, the shutter of which had
+been opened to admit of fresh air.
+
+The big fireplace seemed to fairly yawn, and ask for a supply of fuel,
+and in a very short time they had the fire going briskly.
+
+First of all, they did everything possible to get rid of the awful
+odors. The two big packs were brought inside and opened, so that the
+coffee could be reached, and once Tom had sprinkled a few pinches of the
+powdered grain on the hearth, and set a burning brand alongside, to
+cause it to catch fire, a different scent filled the place.
+
+"Is that any better?" he asked, laughingly.
+
+"A thousand per cent," replied Felix. "But say, I'm as hungry as a bear;
+and we can't get supper any too soon to suit me."
+
+"Same here," chirped Tom; with which remark he started in to make
+immediate preparations for the meal.
+
+Expecting to depend for the most part on the game they would find, for
+their subsistence while in the wilderness, they had carried only certain
+things along, in the shape of bacon, salt pork, coffee, tea, some sugar,
+flour, rice, hominy, and about a quart of onions for an occasional
+relish. That, with their blankets, some extra clothes, and ammunition,
+made up the heavy packs which the boys had been carrying on their backs
+for three full days now--the snow-shoes counted for little, as they were
+light weight.
+
+While Tom made the coffee, Felix busied himself in cooking some of the
+bacon. Until they had managed to knock over a deer, or supplied
+themselves with meat in some other fashion, they must make a raid daily
+on their scanty stock of food.
+
+"But tomorrow we'll both get busy, and see what we can bag," remarked
+Tom, when the other mentioned this depressing fact.
+
+There were a few crackers left, as well as some cheese, upon which they
+had subsisted at "noonings" on the way, not wishing to bother lighting a
+fire, and spending time in cooking anything, when in such haste to get
+located in their quarters.
+
+Altogether they had a good satisfying meal, and Felix declared after it
+was over that he felt many times better.
+
+"I'm going to smoke one pipe, just to give a flavor to the old shack
+where Sol burned many a pound of the weed in his day," remarked Tom,
+settling back comfortably, with a block of wood to support him.
+
+"And what's in the wind then?" asked his cousin.
+
+"I might try my hand at taking our first pelt," chuckled the other.
+
+"Oh! yes, to be sure, I'd about forgotten that he's got a fur worth
+keeping. And Tom, every time we look at it, won't we just remember what
+a welcome he gave us on our arrival. To be sure it was only in growls;
+but then, that's the only language a poor old cat's got. But when you
+say you mean to try your hand, you're only joking, because I wager you
+took off many a pelt when out with Old Sol Ten Eyck."
+
+"Of course, and I hope I haven't forgotten the lessons he taught me; for
+there never was a better trapper known than Sol in his prime. He's
+brought in the skins of every kind of animal in the country, from a
+black fox, down to muskrat hides, when you couldn't hardly give these
+last away. But nowadays, with the big demand for all kinds of furs, and
+a shortening supply, the muskies are fetching a price that makes it pay
+a fellow to gather them."
+
+"That's what I understood from a big fur dealer," Felix went on to
+remark. "What's going to happen when all the seals and foxes and mink
+and otter are gone, nobody knows. He said that people would either have
+to quit wearing any kind of furs; or else be satisfied with muskrat, or
+something that never will be extinct."
+
+"Look at the wolf, for instance," said Tom. "Time was, when it hardly
+paid to skin one on the ranch, when we shot them. How is it now? Why,
+they've found that those skins make the finest kinds of warm coats for
+men driving in automobiles; and the consequence is the price keeps going
+up right along. Mr. Wolf has a rough road ahead of him in the next ten
+years. But nobody will cry if he's wiped out, because he's a bad lot,
+and sure death to young calves in the herd."
+
+Felix was not addicted to the smoking habit, which probably was a good
+thing, as he lacked the robust figure of his western cousin. But Tom did
+certainly seem to suck a great deal of consolation from that little pipe
+of his, and the other boy had no objection to the fumes, indeed, the
+fragrant odor of the tonca bean, which was mixed with Tom's tobacco
+rather pleased his senses.
+
+After he had finished that one pipe, Tom arose, and picking up his
+knife, said he would step out to attend to the dead cat.
+
+"If I can't get the right light, why, I might hang the old boy up from
+the limb of a tree until morning," he said; "only that's likely to fetch
+others of the breed yowling around tonight. But I'll see."
+
+A full moon had arisen after sunset, and while the trees kept much of
+her light from reaching the ground, still it was far from dark. Tom,
+however, was particular with respect to how he took off any pelt, and
+decided that it had better wait until morning. He stood outside there
+quite a little while, until Felix came to the door to ascertain what he
+was doing.
+
+"Not taking time to bother with the hide tonight, then?" he asked, as he
+discovered the dead cat swinging about six feet from the ground, having
+been fastened there with a stout cord.
+
+"Changed my mind, and concluded it would make a better job in daylight,"
+answered the other. "But I was standing here, listening to something
+that ought to make you feel happy."
+
+"What was that?" asked Felix, his curiosity of course aroused.
+
+"I heard a 'woof woof' over there that told me a bear was passing by,
+and had got a whiff of human presence here," Tom went on to say,
+chuckling in his usual way.
+
+"And do you think it could be a grizzly?" demanded Felix, thrilled with
+the very thought of such a thing.
+
+"Oh! well, I never shot a grizzly, myself, and in fact only hunted for
+the breed once; so my ear isn't educated enough to tell the difference
+between the sounds made by a cinnamon, and his black cousin; but then, a
+bear means game, one way or the other; and that suits us both. Besides,
+bear steak ain't so _very_ bad, even if it is tough generally. We'll
+look up that gentleman tomorrow, Felix, just as sure as anything."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE FIRST GOOD LUCK
+
+
+One side of the cabin had a couple of rude but serviceable bunks built
+in the wall. Here the boys arranged their blankets; and thus prepared to
+put in their first night in camp with a roof over their heads.
+
+They already saw where they would have numerous things to do in order to
+feel comfortable when the snows of early winter struck them; but there
+would be plenty of time for all that, as the days glided on.
+
+After all, the night proved to be a quiet one, in spite of Tom's
+expressed fear that the swinging body of the cat might attract others of
+its species, who, gathering around, might think to hold a regular "wake"
+over the remains.
+
+In fact, neither of them heard anything from the time they lay down
+until dawn came, and with it a desire for breakfast.
+
+Feeling considerably refreshed, the two comrades set about accomplishing
+some of the numerous duties that had been laid out for the day.
+
+Breakfast disposed of, they started to fix up the interior of the dugout
+shack, so as to make it seem more comfortable. Dozens of little things
+needed to be done. The roof showed signs of wear in several places, and
+had to be patched against the time when the cold winds would whistle and
+moan around the corners the livelong night, trying to get a nip at their
+toes and fingers.
+
+During the morning, then, they were constantly busy, and before noon
+came around the camp looked a thousand per cent more cheerful.
+
+"Begins to seem like somebody lived here, eh?" remarked Tom, as he
+looked about him with a satisfied air; he was rather "fussy" about how
+he did things, never being content to have them just "passable;" the
+best was none too good for him, Tom always declared; meaning that if
+anything was worth doing at all, it was worth doing well.
+
+Tom had taken off the skin of the wildcat which was making a den of the
+dugout at the time of their arrival. This he had stretched in the proper
+fashion, over a thin piece of board, many of which they found in a
+corner of the place, having evidently served Old Sol for years in the
+same way.
+
+Strange to say, Tom, knowing the secrets of trappers had not cut the
+skin underneath at all but turned it inside-out; this is called
+"casing," and the skin is dried with the flesh side out. Besides
+wildcat, a few other animals are also treated this way, notably 'possum,
+muskrat, mink and otter. As for beaver, raccoon, marten, fox, lynx,
+wolf, coyote and skunk, these may be slit underneath, and when stretched
+on the board, the hair is allowed to be on the outer side.
+
+They are never cured near a fire or in the sun; the shade, where the
+wind can get at them being much more preferable, if "prime" or
+first-class pelts are desired; and of course that is the aim of every
+trapper.
+
+Of course, one of the first things both boys had done on this morning
+was to take a look for signs of the bear Tom had heard passing in the
+night. The experienced Western lad had no difficulty in finding the
+tracks, and he showed his chum how the animal, after standing at a
+certain point, evidently sniffing in the direction of the smoke that
+came from their chimney, had made an abrupt turn, and headed once more
+for the neighboring defiles of the mountains, evidently not caring to
+remain in the vicinity of man, whom his instinct told him must always be
+the mortal enemy of his species.
+
+"He was a bully big grizzly, too, all right, Felix!" announced Tom,
+pointing to the tremendous size of the footprints, with the marks of
+terrible claws showing; for a bear, like a dog, lacks the peculiar
+ability of the cat tribe to draw back its claws entirely except when
+needed.
+
+Felix looked rather longingly toward the great rocky uplifts that seemed
+so very close by, although he well knew it was quite likely to prove a
+little undertaking, reaching any of the gulches and canyons that pierced
+the massive barrier.
+
+"Not today, but soon, I hope," he remarked, turning with a smile toward
+Tom.
+
+"That's right," remarked the other, "all in good time. We must first of
+all manage the eating end; or before we know it we won't have any meat
+in the cabin. Then we want to look up Old Sol's cache, where he's got
+some of his traps hid away. I'd just like to set a few of the same, to
+see if the luck holds good. And when, after a while, the spirit moves
+us, why, we'll start out to get that grizzly you've been dreaming about
+so long."
+
+So Felix put the thought out of his head, and determined to abide his
+time. As he so often said, when some companion tried to make undue
+speed, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and the more haste the less speed
+to the end.
+
+"How about that cache?" asked Felix, along about the noon hour, as they
+sat and rested up a bit after working faithfully all morning at many
+tasks.
+
+"That's a fact!" exclaimed Tom, jumping up again in a hurry; "I'd let
+that slip my mind. And I'm a whole lot curious to know how the steel
+contraptions have stood the three years that have gone by since Old Sol
+was up here."
+
+"Didn't you say he wanted you to try and lug the traps back, when we
+started for home again?" inquired the other boy.
+
+"He said he had an enduring affection for the traps, and that if we
+could manage to carry a few, he'd think it just prime. I suppose an old
+fellow does kind of get attached to anything he's handled so long.
+P'raps some of the traps have histories, too. And since we expect to
+make a sledge, and pull all our stuff over the snow to where we agreed
+to meet Frazer on Christmas day, why, chances are, we can take the whole
+caboodle out of the mountains. I know it would tickle the old man a lot,
+and he's been mighty kind to me, let me tell you, Felix."
+
+"Oh! we can do that easy enough," returned Felix, always ready to
+oblige; "when we leave here there'll be plenty of snow; and with our
+shoes we can make good time, picking out a day that's suited to the
+work."
+
+Tom went over to the lower bunk. Getting down on his hands and knees he
+reached underneath, and presently drew forth what seemed to be a rudely
+made box. This he had some difficulty in opening, and when the top was
+finally pried off they found that the traps had been wrapped, each one,
+in an old, poor quality skin, that seemed to be in a pretty good state
+of preservation.
+
+Of course Old Sol had expected to be up there again on the following
+Fall, when he put his traps away like this; and never dreamed that three
+years would slip by before the cache was opened. But he had carefully
+greased them with bear's fat, and as a whole they were looking very
+decent.
+
+Altogether they made quite an assortment when Tom laid them out. The boy
+handled them almost with reverence. He knew that, as he had said before,
+each one must have a history. Many a story could they tell, if those
+grim-looking jaws could only speak--stories of captured wild animals
+galore, and of more than one fierce fight before the prisoner finally
+gave up the ghost.
+
+"Tomorrow, perhaps, we can get several of these placed," Tom remarked,
+as, having hung the traps up from pegs in the wall, he started
+preparations looking to having some warm lunch, for the day was quite
+cold. "If I go out for a little turn this afternoon, as you said, why,
+I'll keep my eyes about me for likely places. Sol, in his many stories
+about his life up here, gave me more than a few hints about the favorite
+places he had for certain animals. I rather guess this place must have
+been his pet camp, and he used several in his day."
+
+Felix was not quite recovered from his fatigue, and hence it had been
+agreed between them that perhaps he would be wise to stay in camp, and
+let Tom take the first look for meat.
+
+Tom was as tough as a pine-knot. He had been used to roughing it all his
+life, and hardly knew such a thing as getting real tired. Besides, as he
+had known Old Sol personally, the chances were he would be able to find
+a deer more quickly than his cousin might. With that rough chart to
+guide him, and the stories of the old trapper still fresh in his mind,
+Tom believed he had a pretty comprehensive idea concerning the lay of
+the land, even before he had taken one step towards exploring the
+vicinity.
+
+"The woods ought to be good enough for me," he had said; "and I hope to
+bring back a load of juicy venison; but if I don't strike up with my
+deer, why, we'll just have to fall back on that piece of ham that's left
+over."
+
+"I hope not," remarked Felix, with a shrug; "I'm just tired of ham and
+bacon for a steady diet, and ache to have a piece of venison between my
+teeth. So here's wishing you the best luck ever, Tom, which is saying a
+good word for myself, too."
+
+When Tom shouldered his gun, and took one last look at the now cozy
+interior of the cabin, he smiled back at his chum.
+
+"Let me tell you, Felix," he remarked, "it looks good to me already; and
+I just know we're going to have the best sort of time up here, if only
+we manage to keep the wolf from the door."
+
+"I'll do all I can to assist," laughingly responded Felix, little
+dreaming how shortly circumstances, just then utterly unseen, would
+bring these words of his companion forcibly before his mind.
+
+"If you feel like it, Felix, you might be cutting up that big limb that
+was torn off the tree in some storm; we can't have too big a pile of
+fire wood, against the coming of winter, you know; and once we get a
+string of traps to look after, the less time we have to spend in
+chopping wood, the better."
+
+And with these words, followed by a cheery wave of his chum's hand, Tom
+strode off for his first side hunt. They really were in need of fresh
+meat. Some five days had passed since leaving home, and with three to
+feed part of the time, this had made a little hole in the stock of
+provisions brought along with them.
+
+Tom had done a great deal of hunting, and was familiar with most of the
+tricks resorted to by those who are most successful in getting game. Of
+course he took occasion to notice the direction of the wind before
+leaving the cabin. It would be the height of folly to try and stalk a
+deer with the breeze blowing his scent directly to the delicate nostrils
+of his intended quarry, for the wary animal must detect his presence
+long before he could hope to get within gunshot, and as a consequence
+would be off "like a streak of greased lightning," as Tom himself put
+it.
+
+As he went along, the boy kept his eyes about him, observing numerous
+things of a nature to interest a hunter and trapper. The sigh of the
+wind through the tree-tops was sweetest music in the ears of Tom Tucker;
+many a night had it lulled him to sleep when in the woods; or stealing
+softly over the grassy prairie, where the cattle grazed, it had carried
+with it the chirp of crickets and katydids and all the other familiar
+sounds of a summer night on the range.
+
+Never a leaf came floating to the ground near him but that his quick eye
+sought it out instinctively. If some little squirrel rustled the leaves,
+his ear was on the alert, even as his eager finger touched the trigger
+of his gun, ready for a shot at a bounding black-tail deer.
+
+So Tom went on for perhaps an hour.
+
+He was not more than half a mile away from the camp at most, since he
+had considered it good policy to make a half circle, covering as much
+ground as possible in this, his first tramp.
+
+So far he had seen nothing worth shooting at, though signs of deer had
+caught his watchful eye numerous times; and he felt sure they used these
+grounds for feeding purposes, as there were patches of green grass every
+little while.
+
+And then, all of a sudden, there was a loud rustle of the leaves that
+sent a thrill through the young hunter. He saw a deer leap over a fallen
+tree with all the ease in the world, and start to bound away, taking
+great springs. Instinct rather than anything else caused Tom to throw
+his rifle to his shoulder; and then he fired, just as the buck turned
+slightly in order to avoid some obstruction, which Tom had already known
+would make him veer.
+
+With a crash the deer went down. Throwing another cartridge into the
+firing chamber of his gun, Tom started full speed toward the spot, ready
+to finish his quarry, if such a thing proved necessary; for he had known
+deer to get up again, full of fight, after being thrown to the ground by
+a shot.
+
+But that first well-placed ball had accomplished its work. The buck was
+dead by the time Tom reached the spot, pleased with his success, which
+he looked upon as a splendid sign of future luck.
+
+As the afternoon was well along, and he would have half a mile to "tote"
+his burden, the boy lost no time in setting to work removing the skin of
+the animal, and then cutting the deer up, so as to secure the choice
+portions, including of course the two haunches.
+
+Outside of the hams and perhaps the shoulders there is not a great deal
+about a deer worth taking; so in due time Tom had packed all he wanted
+in the hide, which he made up into a compact bundle, and threw over his
+shoulder.
+
+Thus loaded, and in a happy frame of mind, he started in the direction
+of camp. Never once during his hour's tramp had Tom been compelled to
+guess where the dugout lay. The woods were as an open book to him, so
+accustomed was he to unconsciously noting many little things around
+him--the moss on the trees; the way the forest monarchs inclined away
+from the prevailing storms that came from the west in this region,
+sweeping down the sides of the mountains; with these and many other
+signs to tell him, a hunter can read locations as easily as you or I
+might a printed page in a book.
+
+Tom had been moving along a short time in this way when suddenly he
+stopped to listen. The report of a gun had been borne to his ears, and
+from the direction of the camp, though the breeze was not favorable for
+carrying sounds.
+
+"Hello!" he started to remark; when to his surprise a second shot
+followed the first, and quickly came a third.
+
+By this time Tom was excited. He fancied that this might be a signal
+calling for help, as is well known among woodsmen, and cattle rustlers.
+Thoughts of the rough characters said to be somewhere in this vicinity,
+after being run out of Yellowstone Park by the soldiers guarding the
+preserves, flashed into his mind.
+
+And so Tom, hastily throwing his pack up over a limb, where it would be
+safe for a while at least, and carefully noting the spot, so he could
+find the meat again, started on a wild run for the location of Old Sol's
+hideout.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE WOLF PACK
+
+
+When Felix found himself alone he set about doing a number of things
+which he had in mind, meaning to tackle the wood problem when it got
+later in the afternoon.
+
+Time passes quickly when any one is busily employed, and so the hour
+slipped by almost before he knew it. From some distance away there
+suddenly came the report of a rifle. Felix listened eagerly, but no
+second shot sounded. This seemed to tell him that none was needed.
+
+"I reckon Tom got what he wanted that time," he said to himself, as he
+went on doing what had engaged his attention; "when he lets go,
+something generally drops. Makes my mouth water, just to think of having
+a saddle of venison hanging up here for a starter. And then it'll be my
+turn next to make a try. Yes, Tom was right; and it sure does look like
+we were going to have the time of our lives up here in this Rocky
+Mountain foothills country."
+
+He remembered after a bit that there was only a scant amount of wood
+handy, and that Tom had hinted about laying in a further supply.
+
+"Guess I'll just get a bucket of water, and then take to the axe for a
+spell," he remarked to himself, for, like a good many other people,
+Felix was quite food of talking to himself when alone.
+
+Among other things they had found an old but serviceable galvanized
+bucket, which Old Sol had carefully greased, and put away for future
+use. It had taken Felix not a little time to get it in fairly decent
+shape again; but it would hold water, and that was a fortunate thing.
+Under such conditions campers have no right to be overly particular
+about the looks of things; and a little rust never hurt any one yet,
+Felix stoutly declared.
+
+So, taking the bucket, he set out for the spring, which happened to be
+about two hundred feet away from the dugout.
+
+No doubt Sol Ten Eyck was fully aware of the existence of that same fine
+spring when he started to locate his trapping cabin here in the
+wilderness; in fact it had everything to do with his selecting that
+particular locality for putting up his dugout-shack.
+
+He had told Tom that that spring must be connected with some of those in
+the National Park; because, no matter how cold the winter was, it never
+froze up. What water came from it might get as hard as anything in the
+zero temperature; but as for the spring itself, it continued to cheerily
+bubble forth all through the wintry weather, defying Jack Frost to seal
+its mouth.
+
+Felix was thinking of his chum as he made his way toward the spring.
+Doubtless he pictured Tom as busily engaged preparing the carcass of the
+deer for transportation to the camp; and he could in imagination almost
+see the pleasure his cousin was taking in his work.
+
+"There never was a better chum than Tom," Felix was saying to himself,
+as he dipped his bucket carefully into the water; and then, noticing
+that in approaching too closely he had caused the water to become
+slightly "roiled," he poured this away, and stooping there, waited a few
+minutes until it should settle again.
+
+A sound caught his hearing that caused him to quickly look up, and then
+turn his head. What he saw gave the boy a thrill such as he had seldom
+experienced before.
+
+One, two, three savage looking animals were standing there, staring at
+him in a hungry way, just as though they considered themselves in good
+luck to come upon a dinner so easily.
+
+They had all the appearance of dogs, but although Felix could not own up
+to any considerable experience with wolves, he knew in a flash that that
+was what these visitors must be.
+
+And they looked dangerous, too. A single wolf is a cowardly beast, and
+will almost always slink away from a human being; but when in company,
+or running with a pack, he becomes an entirely different sort of animal.
+At such times, especially when sharp pressed by hunger, in the middle of
+the winter, he will break into the sheep-fold of a farmer, and even pull
+down a running horse that has been exhausted by a long flight.
+
+Felix had read many a wild story of wolf hunts in Russia; and knew with
+what fierceness the animals on the Siberian steppes often chase
+travelers in native vehicles, frequently devouring men and horses.
+
+So he did not underestimate the wolves that so suddenly appeared before
+him as he stooped over the spring, bucket in hand.
+
+It flashed upon him that save for his hunting knife he was wholly
+unarmed just then; for his trusty Marlin had of course been left in the
+cabin; and what use would a five inch blade be against a trio of active,
+vigorous and reckless wolves, bent upon securing a dinner?
+
+He stood up, and took a step toward the cabin. Ominous growls greeted
+the act, as though they would warn Felix that they did not mean to allow
+him to gain the shelter of his fort.
+
+Felix had another thrill about that time. The first had meant only
+excitement; but this went further, and whispered of alarm as well.
+
+How they bared their white fangs, and raised the long hair on their bony
+shoulders, to show that they were primed for fight.
+
+The boy realized that unless he proved himself quick-witted the chances
+of his ever getting to where he could snatch up his good rifle, and give
+them what they deserved, would be pretty slim.
+
+At such a time as this the brain works as if on fire. It seemed to Felix
+as though a score of things flashed through his mind at the same
+instant. He wondered if he could frighten the animals by dashing at
+them, waving his arms, and letting out a few wild whoops, for sometimes
+wolves are sent into a panic by the sound of the human voice.
+
+But if the expedient failed, why, it would bring him all the sooner to
+grips with the three hairy scamps that seemed to invite a trail of
+strength, and resourcefulness.
+
+How about the bucket--could he knock upon the bottom with his knuckles at
+the same time, and add to the din, so as to produce a temporary fear in
+their hearts?
+
+The cabin was only two hundred feet away, and Felix just knew he could
+fairly fly over this distance, given half a chance; but if they
+recovered soon enough to leap after him, was he not likely to have them
+on his back before he could get inside and slam the door shut?
+
+But something _must_ be done!
+
+He could see them edging a little closer all the while, as though unable
+to hold themselves wholly in check. And they were spreading out more in
+the shape of a fan, too, as if they knew the best way to trap him.
+
+Whatever was to be done, he must lose no more time about it, or the
+attack would follow, and then it would be too late to devise any scheme
+looking to creating a diversion.
+
+It seemed as though just at that instant Felix remembered something that
+promised to open up a possible avenue of escape.
+
+When he was sitting there, resting for a few minutes, he had picked up
+the newspaper that had been wrapped around some of their smoked meat.
+Despite its greasy condition Felix had become interested in an article
+on some subject of surgery that happened to catch his eye. This he had
+partly read through; and then, wishing to complete a certain task with
+which he was engaged, he had doubled the paper up, and unconcernedly
+thrust it into a rear pocket; little dreaming how in doing this he might
+have been actually saving his own life. So do trifles sometimes turn out
+to be of the greatest moment.
+
+This paper, with its greasy surface, would make a fierce flame, if only
+for a brief time; and he always carried a bountiful supply of matches
+along with him; for Tom had advised this, as a precaution, in case he
+ever became lost, when each one would be worth a priceless sum.
+
+No sooner had the idea flashed into the mind of Felix than he put his
+hand around, in hopes of feeling the doubled paper. His heart was in his
+throat when at first he failed to touch anything, then he remembered
+that it was in the other hip pocket he had thrust the paper.
+
+So he drew it out, rustling in a manner that elicited a fresh chorus of
+snarls and growls from the three guards, who stood between him and the
+shack where safety for him lay.
+
+Crunching the paper up, Felix next sought for a match. He had a little
+safe in one pocket of his trousers; but so clear was his mind at this
+critical stage of the game that he instantly remembered placing several
+matches loosely in the side pocket of his coat, where he could get at
+them more easily when starting a fire for supper.
+
+So ugly did the wolves act about this time that he was almost afraid
+they were determined not to wait any longer, but proceed to open
+hostilities. And so he continued to talk, and call out at them the
+while, in hopes of averting the crisis until he had started things
+moving himself.
+
+Straight ahead of him lay the dugout. Once he began running he must make
+record time, and keep in a direct line for the door. How fortunate that
+he had left this wide open when starting after that bucket of water! All
+he would have to do would be to fly through that friendly aperture,
+snatch hold of the door, and fling it back of him. Then his next move
+would be to make one leap for the corner where the Marlin stood; once he
+felt its convincing metal in his hands, and after that he would not care
+a snap of his fingers for all the timber wolves that existed within a
+radius of ten miles.
+
+All these preliminaries Felix seemed to settle, just like a great
+general would his plan of campaign; only he had to do it out of hand.
+The impatient and hungry wolves would not wait his pleasure; they wanted
+things to be moving along.
+
+Felix had let the empty bucket drop to the ground when his brilliant
+scheme came flashing into his mind, so that both his hands were free to
+conduct the work he had arranged.
+
+First of all was the striking of the match, and this he would have to
+accomplish along one leg of his trousers, as Tom always did. The act was
+greeted by more nasty and irritating snarls, as the three wolves moved
+still closer, hardly able to hold back longer.
+
+When the flame of the match was communicated to the greasy newspaper, of
+course it flashed up splendidly.
+
+This was his chance, and delay now would be apt to injure his prospects
+of being able to reach the shelter of the cabin.
+
+So Felix began to wave his flaming torch, made up of the twisted
+newspaper, and at the same time sprang straight at the three wolves. He
+knew that such a move would add to their temporary panicky state of
+feeling and give him a chance to cover some ground.
+
+And as he started to jump at them, he also called out at the top of his
+voice, and waved both arms, as though he might be an animated human
+windmill in action, bearing down upon them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A FIRST TASTE OF VENISON
+
+
+"Get out! Get out, you rascals!"
+
+That was about the burden of what Felix yelled, as he dashed at the
+three timber wolves; although, when put to it afterwards he could never
+be sure of what he said, only that he endeavored to make his whole
+appearance as fierce looking as possible.
+
+It seemed to be a success, too, for the animals turned tail, and bolted.
+Wolves, as indeed about every other wild animal in the woods or in the
+mountains, inherit a peculiar dread of fire, though of course the only
+acquaintance most of them have with its terrifying qualities is when a
+forest or a prairie fire threatens their lives.
+
+Even before the white man came to these shores of America, the Indians
+knew how to use flint and steel in order to kindle their fires; and
+besides, now and then, doubtless conflagrations may have occurred
+through fire coming down from the clouds, and the lightning striking
+some dead tree in the woods.
+
+Thus the fear of flames is born in these predatory animals; and as even
+in the broad daylight the wolves saw the greasy newspaper flash up into
+a little pyramid of fire, they just "scooted for all they were worth,"
+as Felix afterwards declared, when telling the story of his little
+adventure.
+
+He did not even waste a second in glancing over his shoulder as he ran,
+in order to ascertain how far this fear carried them. Chances were, they
+would quickly get over the condition of panic, especially when seeing
+their expected dinner making off in that vigorous fashion. And Felix
+knew that once this occurred, they would be racing after him as fast as
+they could run.
+
+As the boy had always been fond of baseball, and kindred games, while at
+school, doubtless he could look back to many an occasion when he put in
+what he considered his "best licks" in endeavoring to stretch out a
+two-base hit into a three-bagger; or possibly trying to steal home, when
+the ball was being sent back to the pitcher, and his club needed a run
+the worst kind, to win.
+
+But Felix always claimed that had he been able to cover ground on those
+occasions as rapidly as he did when those three wolves were after him,
+he might have easily counted a home-run on that two-base hit; or be
+sitting on the home plate by the time the pitcher was ready to throw to
+catch him.
+
+He fairly flew, every muscle and nerve being "on the job," as he called
+it. The yawning open door was just in front of him; but by now he could
+positively hear a terrible scratching sound in his rear, which must be
+produced by the scrambling of his lupine foes over the intervening
+ground.
+
+They had recovered from their temporary scare, and were after him at
+full speed, bent on pulling him down as they would a wounded deer.
+
+But he reached the dugout, and shot through that opening like a flash.
+At the instant of doing so he reached out, and catching hold of the
+door, gave it a desperate fling.
+
+He heard it strike something, which could only be the head of the
+foremost wolf. And turning as quickly as possible, Felix threw his
+weight against the door, which was even then commencing to move inward,
+under the rush of enemies without.
+
+But there was enough of vigor and alarm in the boy to crush the door
+fast; after which he secured it with the bar.
+
+He was safe, then, and had cheated the hungry beasts out of their
+expected dinner. Felix seemed to experience a sudden change in the state
+of his feelings. He had been alarmed before; now he was angry at those
+three bold beasts. And turning around, he picked up the Marlin with
+which he expected to get his ferocious grizzly; and which had been
+chosen particularly on account of its hard shooting qualities, as well
+as its faithfulness in a pinch, the mechanism never failing to work, as
+some guns have a weakness for doing.
+
+Once he had the hammer drawn back, and Felix walked deliberately over to
+the door, which he meant to swing open. He might have taken to the
+window just as well, but somehow he felt so fortified by this accession
+of the repeating gun that he scorned such "baby" action.
+
+Taking down the bar, he allowed the door to open just a few inches. That
+gave him the chance he wanted to see the gleaming eyes and the red mouth
+of a wolf not two feet away.
+
+With the shot he saw the animal roll over in convulsions; while the
+other two lost no time in making hasty tracks away from that dangerous
+locality.
+
+And here was where Felix showed that he knew what he was doing when he
+selected the door instead of the smaller opening that served as a
+window, since it actually had a pane of glass, and a movable sash--he was
+enabled to immediately step outside, gun in hand, and take a couple of
+shots at the fleeing wolves.
+
+With each report one of the scampering beasts rolled over. It was as
+fine shooting as Felix had ever done in all his life, and he had always
+been accounted a rather clever hand with either rifle or bird gun.
+
+"All down in that alley; set 'em up again!" he exclaimed, thrilled with
+the remarkable success that had followed his work.
+
+Not one of the ferocious beasts got up again, to try and limp away; so
+that the young Nimrod was not compelled to use more than a single
+cartridge apiece.
+
+But when, presently, he went to the spring for that bucket of water,
+Felix, you may be sure, carried the rifle along with him; and the three
+cartridges that had been ejected were replaced by fresh ones.
+
+There were no more wolves hovering around in that immediate
+neighborhood, apparently, and he was not disturbed any further. So Felix
+set about chopping his wood in the most unconcerned way possible, after
+examining the bodies of his prizes, and dragging them into a row under
+the big tree.
+
+A short time later he heard Tom's "cooie," and answered it. Of course
+the other had ceased his wild run as soon as he caught the regular sound
+of the descending axe; but when he came up presently, fairly panting for
+breath, his face displayed more than ordinary curiosity.
+
+"What was it, Felix?" he asked.
+
+"Do you mean, why did I fire those three shots?" asked the other,
+meaning to tantalize his chum a little; for he could see how Tom was
+burning up with eagerness to know the cause of the firing.
+
+"Yes, yes, of course. It's generally the signal that a fellow needs
+help," said Tom, eagerly.
+
+"Well, my time for needing help had about passed when I let drive with
+the Marlin gun," Felix went on, in a mysterious way that the other could
+make nothing out of. "But if you could have dropped in here about a
+minute before that time, I tell you now, you'd have been the most
+welcome sight my eyes could have looked on."
+
+"But why? Open up, Felix, and tell me what happened. You shot something,
+didn't you?" Tom went on to demand.
+
+"I shot three times, and there were just that number of the scamps, Tom."
+
+Whereupon Tom glanced around, and in consequence quickly discovered the
+several forms of the defunct beasts lying in a grim row under the big
+tree.
+
+"Well, I'll be hanged if it wasn't a whole pack of wolves; and what
+fierce looking fellows, too!" he exclaimed, as he hurried over to
+examine them.
+
+"Huh!" grunted Felix; "I reckon each one looked about as tall as a house
+to me, when they stood there, and showed me by their bared fangs, and
+savage growls, that they didn't mean to let me make a dash from the
+spring to the shack without tackling me."
+
+"The spring! D'ye mean to say they waylaid you there? But how lucky it
+was that you didn't forget to have your gun along!" ejaculated Tom.
+
+"That's where the joke comes in," remarked the other, drily; "because it
+never once occurred to me that a fellow ought to go to get a bucket of
+water, with his gun under one arm. It was in the cabin at the time,
+more's the pity."
+
+Tom plumped down on the ground, and mopped his face with his bandana;
+his run had apparently heated him up considerably.
+
+"Spin the yarn, Felix; don't keep me guessing so hard. However in the
+wide world did you keep them off till you grabbed up the gun?" he urged.
+
+"Couldn't have done it at all, I give you my word, because they were
+just bent on tackling me off-hand; but it chanced that I had an old
+newspaper in my pocket."
+
+"A newspaper!" echoed Tom; "what under the sun did that have to do with
+it! How could a paper interest wolves? Come on, tell me what you did,
+Felix?"
+
+"Struck a match, and made a bully old torch. Then I just jumped for 'em,
+and hollered to beat the band!" replied the other, with a grin.
+
+Tom's face was a study as he listened, and he too smiled broadly.
+
+"A great stunt, my boy, it sure was," he went on to say. "And so that
+scared 'em off enough for you to get inside, where your gun was, did
+it?"
+
+"But only by a close shave," replied Felix. "One of the critters came
+slap up against the door even when I was banging it shut; and they all
+tried to outpush me."
+
+"Then I suppose you just opened the little window, and gave the sassy
+beasts one, two, three, eh, Felix?"
+
+"Just what I did, only it was the door I opened a little, Tom. After I'd
+bowled one over, the others put for shelter, just as I expected; and so
+I was able to just step outside, and plunk the runners as neat as you
+please. I'm some proud of those two shots; they were as good as anything
+I ever did at my best."
+
+"Well, you have done yourself proud, let me tell you that; but in my
+mind the best part of the whole business was where you thought up that
+clever dodge of using that newspaper for a torch. It was a stroke of
+genius," said Tom, earnestly, and there could be no doubt that he meant
+it.
+
+"But I heard you shoot; did you get any fresh meat? Excuse me for
+asking; but I'm that hungry for a bite of venison I'll have to forget my
+manners, Tom?"
+
+"Oh! I downed a young black-tail buck, and was toting the meat to camp
+when I heard you shoot three times. Of course I just thought you'd
+visitors here in the shape of that Abe Cozzins and Perley Kline we've
+been hearing so much about, as guides who've been doing all sorts of
+tough things, been fired from the Park, and are suspected of shooting
+game on the Government reservation. You just bet I did some tall
+sprinting for a while; then when I heard you start chopping, I knew you
+must be all right; but by that time I was too much worked up to turn
+around and go back for the venison I hung on a limb. I'll do that as
+soon as I get my breath once more."
+
+Felix swung his axe merrily, while the other watched him.
+
+"You couldn't have better exercise than that for broadening your chest
+and hardening your muscles don't you know it, Felix," Tom asked,
+presently.
+
+"Sure I do, and that's a sly hint I'm to be the steady wood chopper
+while we're up in camp at the foot of the Rockies," replied the other,
+laughingly; "but I really like the handling of an axe first-rate; and
+with more practice I think I'll be able to bring it down exactly where I
+want, every time, just like those loggers up in Maine do."
+
+"Well, I must say you're in an awful big hurry to load up with pelts,"
+Tom continued, with a whimsical grimace in the direction of the three
+wolves. "Here you hardly get in camp before you begin by knocking over a
+big cat that crawls out of our chimney; and before a single day goes by
+you've lain out a heap of fine wolf hides for me to stretch and dry. At
+that rate I see myself keeping busy right along and we'll have a load to
+take back on our sledge that'll make Frazer's eyes stick out of his
+head. I kind of think he laughed in his sleeve at the idea of two boys
+catching any of these fur bearing animals. He'll have another guess
+coming. But I ought to be hiking out after that venison. I'd hate to
+have any critter make way with it, after going to all the trouble I did,
+eh, Felix?"
+
+"And then, we need it in our business so bad, too," remarked the other,
+drily; "so I think you'd better be getting it, Tom."
+
+Accordingly, Tom started off again to retrace his steps, promising to be
+back in half an hour or less. With the pleasing prospect of fresh meat
+for supper, Felix worked with additional vim, as he swung the light axe
+they had carried with them through the three days they had been on the
+trail up here.
+
+Now and then he would steal a glance toward the row of grim trophies
+that had fallen to his skill as a marksman; yet from certain words that
+dropped from his lips it was evident that Felix gave much of the credit
+to his faithful gun.
+
+"Just point it straight, and it'll do the rest every time," he chuckled,
+with a fond look at the rifle snuggled down close to where he was
+working, so that he could snatch it up at a second's warning, if
+necessary.
+
+After a time the cheery whistle of his chum was heard near by, and then
+Tom appeared, staggering under his load, but making light of it when
+Felix protested that he should not have tried to carry so much.
+
+"Plenty of meat for a week or two, because it'll keep sweet and nice in
+this mountain air, and particularly at this time of year," Felix had
+said, as he helped unload the pack-horse and sized up the cuts.
+
+"Don't examine 'em too close," remonstrated the Nimrod; "I never was a
+good hand at butchering; though I had ought to be, because I've been
+raised among cattle, and have cut up many a steer. But it answers our
+purpose."
+
+"Well, if you call that poor work, you'll take a fit when you see what I
+do," remarked the other, shaking his head in despair.
+
+As the afternoon was now getting along, they determined that they might
+as well start things moving, looking toward supper. Both of them were
+fairly wild to get the first taste of meat on the trip.
+
+At home, and cooked in the civilized fashion, with possibly only a poor
+appetite spurring one on, venison is apt to seem dry eating; but take it
+out in the woods with the proper surroundings, and hunger that is
+clamorous in its demands; with the game cooked after the hunter's
+fashion, and there is nothing more delightful. Just so the coffee tastes
+like nectar out of a rusty old tin cup, while at home much of the
+pleasure is lost if there happens to be a crack in the delicate china
+cup in which the fragrant juice of the Java bean is served. The
+conditions and surroundings have a great deal to do with the enjoyment
+of a thing; and venison was never intended to be eaten over a snow-white
+table cloth, and flanked by cut glass and china and silverware.
+
+While Felix commenced to get supper Tom gave his attention to taking off
+the gray "jackets," as he called them, of the wolves.
+
+"Some day, not a great ways off," he remarked, "they'll be keeping a
+chauffeur or a gentleman in a car snug and warm, and that's a better use
+for them, than just covering three pesky calf-killers. I'm always
+tickled all to death to see a wolf knocked over, I despise the breed so;
+they're so sneaky and so cruel."
+
+"Well, they looked that way to me, let me tell you," remarked Felix from
+within the shack, where he was busily employed; "especially when they
+drew back their lips and showed me what long fangs they had, all of 'em.
+But all's well that ends well; and we've got a nice bunch of wolf pelts
+to start on."
+
+After awhile the tantalizing odor of coffee began to steal out to Tom;
+and then this was supplemented by the delightful smell of frying meat;
+for they had fetched along a good-sized frying pan, without which Tom
+never would go camping.
+
+He had just washed up, after completing his job, so far as the first
+part of it went, when Felix announced that supper was ready.
+
+"I reckon you'd better take a look around tomorrow," Tom remarked, as
+they sat there by the fire, enjoying a bountiful meal that made both
+boys as contented as kings. "I had my inning today; and besides, I've
+got lots of work to do, what with getting these wolf pelts fastened on
+stretchers; and setting a few traps in places not a great ways from the
+shack. And after the time you had, I give you fair warning that I'll
+never be caught out, with my gun at home. If you'd had time, of course,
+you could have climbed a tree; but those hungry chaps didn't mean to let
+you try such a dodge. Chances were they'd have nabbed you in three
+shakes of a lamb's tail."
+
+"But we've got enough meat for awhile, haven't we?" asked Felix.
+
+"Better lay in a stock while the chance offers," replied the other,
+wisely. "If we want to keep it I know how the Indians jerk their
+venison, and it ain't half way bad, cooked in a stew, or eaten as it's
+dried. Pemmican they call it, and some of the lot they carry is about as
+black as your hat, from the smoke it was dried in. An Indian brave can
+run for days with only a handful of that stuff along to nibble at when
+he feels faint. It's a life saver, all right."
+
+"Perhaps, then, I will take a look around," Felix admitted; for he was
+eager to try his luck with the deer, as well as have a chance to observe
+what the surrounding country looked like.
+
+They passed a pleasant evening, both busy doing some little thing; for
+there could always be found plenty that needed attention; and Tom was a
+great hand to want to have everything about him shipshape.
+
+And when finally, becoming tired, the two chums turned in, they did not
+need any rocking to put them to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+FELIX TAKES HIS TURN
+
+
+So another day found the campers under the shadow of the great Rockies.
+They were up early, for it had been about nine o'clock when they turned
+in on the preceding night; and there was plenty waiting to be done.
+
+"Suppose you let the pelts go until later in the day, Tom," remarked
+Felix as they ate breakfast at the rough table, which Old Sol had built
+for his use when he used to spend so many months every winter up here,
+in this favorite nook.
+
+"What for?" asked the other, well knowing that Felix would never make
+this odd proposition without having some good reason for it.
+
+"Well," said his chum, slowly, "I'd like to go with you for a little
+while, and see how you set the traps you think of putting out. Then,
+later on in the day, perhaps after we've had a bite of lunch, I might
+try a tramp in another quarter from where you went, just to see what the
+country looks like."
+
+"Just as you say," replied Tom, readily enough. "I didn't stop to think
+that perhaps you'd like to see the operation. And I guess it's just as
+well that you pick up some information about how to do the job; because
+some days perhaps you'll want to run the line of traps yourself; and
+then you'll have to know how to set them, as well as keep your scent
+from staying around, and warning timid animals away."
+
+In about half an hour they started forth, each carrying a few traps. Tom
+had been cudgeling his brains to remember all that Old Sol had told him
+about his favorite places for setting his mink traps. There was a little
+ravine close by, through which a stream of water ran; and along the
+banks of this the wary animals abound.
+
+Perhaps Tom may not have gone about his task in exactly the same way an
+experienced trapper would; for it takes years of work to learn all there
+is to know in connection with the cunning little fur-bearing animals
+that look on man as their most implacable foe, as indeed he has been
+ever since the world began.
+
+Some people have a knack for doing this sort of thing, while others
+never seem able to learn anything about the game. Tom was one of the
+former. He had spent enough time with Old Sol to learn a great many
+points that were worth knowing. The rest could only come through
+personal experience in the field.
+
+These mink traps were set in front of certain openings in the banks
+which, from the signs, were "used" by the mink in traveling about, a
+peculiar habit they have of doing at certain times of the year.
+
+Then a couple of fox traps were left at spots which Tom understood were
+likely to bring about results. Great care had to be exercised in setting
+these traps, so as to conceal the human scent, which would come to the
+acute sense of smell of the sly fox, and completely baffle the designs
+of the would-be trappers.
+
+After that some muskrats traps were placed in a little marsh where the
+rodents lived in great numbers. They are possibly the easiest animal to
+trap there is; and as the price of their skins has been going steadily
+up from next to nothing, until now they bring as high as sixty-five
+cents apiece, it pays a trapper to devote his entire time to taking the
+rats; which, truth to tell, are really no relation to the ordinary house
+rats, but are called musquash by the Indians, and are really very tasty
+as food.
+
+It was when the boys were starting back to the dugout, after locating
+the last of their muskrat traps in the marsh, that Tom made a discovery.
+
+"Looky here!" he exclaimed, pointing to one side; "what's been going on,
+d'ye suppose? Part of a deer, and it hasn't been killed more'n a week.
+Why, the foxes haven't made way with it all. Queer those hungry wolves
+didn't scent it; but then they don't eat carrion as a rule, like the
+coyotes. They're daintier in their choice of food."
+
+"Whatever do you suppose killed this deer?" asked Felix, as they turned
+that way.
+
+"We'll soon find out," replied his chum; "but the chances are ten to one
+it was a bullet from a rifle."
+
+He bent over to examine the few remains, and presently looked up with a
+smile.
+
+"What did I tell you, Felix?" he demanded, holding some small object
+before his chum's eyes.
+
+It was a bullet, somewhat flattened from having struck the heavier
+bones, when it pierced the body of the deer.
+
+"And only a week back, you say, Tom?" remarked Felix, a frown appearing
+on his face. "Then some party has been around here a short time ago? I
+had begun to believe we were going to have it all to ourselves; but I
+suppose that would be too good luck. Any idea what sort of a man the
+hunter was?"
+
+"Injun," replied Tom, laconically, as he pointed to the mark of a
+moccasin in the soft soil near by; and which Felix noticed "toed-in;"
+for an Indian always walks that way; as Nature intended man should,
+before he began to wear stiff boots, and started to use his feet the
+wrong way, by "toeing-out."
+
+"Whew! then all I hope is, that it turns out to be that good old
+halfbreed we heard so much about, Charley Crow they call him, because
+his other name is too much for a fellow's tongue. I wouldn't mind him so
+much; and if he's starting to put in a season trapping in this
+neighborhood, why, we might make friends with him, you know."
+
+"As for me," declared Tom, with a disconsolate look on his sun-burned
+face; "you know, I don't take much stock in any Injun or half-breed. I
+only hope we have the good fortune not to run across this fellow, or any
+of his kind, all the time we stick it out up here. But then I'm
+prejudiced, I own up. Charley may be all they say about him. We'll let
+it go at that. If he doesn't bother us, be sure I'll not go ten steps
+out of my way to look him up."
+
+All the same, it made them a little serious as they walked back to the
+camp. If there were others hunting and trapping in that section, such a
+thing always opened the door for all sorts of new troubles.
+
+Supposing there should turn out to be a whole hunting party of Shoshones
+or Flatfoot Indians off their reservation, and engaged in a grand hunt;
+they would make things look pretty "sick," as Tom expressed it, around
+there, in short order.
+
+But then, fortunately perhaps, boys are not much given to forebodings;
+and presently both Tom and his chum were feeling themselves again.
+Doubtless the recollection of that deer would return to them more than a
+few times to arouse these same doubts and speculations. And every time
+Tom felt that smashed bit of lead in his pocket, he would allow himself
+to indulge in guesses that could hardly lead to anywhere in particular.
+
+It was now getting on toward noon, and Felix announced that he would not
+bother making a start until some time afterwards. There was no need of
+hurry, and inside of a couple of hours, he thought he ought to cover as
+much ground as he wanted to get over for that time.
+
+"I'd better be making a start with those wolf pelts," said Tom; "because
+there's no telling what we may have on our hands by tomorrow, if only a
+third of those nine traps bring us returns. Makes me think I'm out again
+with Old Sol. How much I'd like to have him along, right now, he's such
+a bully old chap; and with a lot of queer things to tell about his
+experiences."
+
+Although Felix did not bother to say so, truth to tell, he was entirely
+satisfied with the way things ran just then; there could not be a better
+comrade than Tom Tucker, and according to his mind, two was always a
+better number than three.
+
+He watched Tom get busy with one of the pelts, and affix it to the large
+stretching board; after he had done considerable scraping, so as to get
+the skin as free from flesh as possible.
+
+"They're prime skins, and that's what," the worker declared. "And if
+you'd shot this fellow on purpose so as not to injure his hide, you
+couldn't have done better."
+
+"That must be the one that was trying to butt in at the door when I
+opened it just a mite," declared Felix. "I gave him his right down his
+throat; for he had his mouth open, and I could see the rows of shining
+white teeth; besides his red tongue hanging out."
+
+"Of course that's it," remarked Tom. "I remember now that the others are
+shot in the side, and both of them just back of the foreleg. Great work,
+that, my boy; and when it comes to shooting I'll have to take a back
+seat, I reckon."
+
+"Lay it to the gun," chuckled Felix; "all you have to do is to stick
+that shooting-iron out, and shut your eyes as you pull trigger. It does
+all the rest."
+
+"Yes, and goes out to retrieve your game besides," added Tom, with a
+laugh. "The gun's all right, and I've used it enough to know what it can
+do; but there's a whole lot in the fellow behind the gun, as they say in
+the navy."
+
+"By the way, Tom, you'd better tell me if you think there's any chance
+of my getting lost in these same old woods. I don't know half as much as
+you do about finding my way about; and I used to have the greatest
+weakness for losing my bearings you ever saw, some time back. Yes, I
+studied up all the known ways for telling the direction, if I lost my
+compass and could point out north as well as the next fellow; but the
+trouble with me was, I couldn't say whether camp meant north, south,
+east or west, most of the time. Of course, here I'd have the mountains
+to guide me; and besides, I've got a bully little compass somewhere
+around; so I don't think I'll worry about it. And even if I did stray
+off, it could only be for a night. After several stabs at it, I'd be
+sure to arrive at the proper direction."
+
+"I don't believe you would lose yourself around here if you tried,
+Felix," asserted Tom, positively. "You're only saying that to josh me.
+But I'm not going to let it bother me any. If you don't turn up, why,
+I'll be on your trail in the morning." Tom said this jokingly, never
+dreaming that he might have a chance to put his words into practice so
+soon.
+
+He, himself, had never been lost in all his life. Like the homing
+pigeon, Tom seemed to have some sort of instinct that, under all
+circumstances, allowed him to face toward home when he wanted to turn
+that way. And he could not understand how anyone could make such
+mountains out of mole-hills. Why, all they had to do was to use their
+eyes, and what sense lay in their head, in order to figure out just how
+to head to get back to their starting point.
+
+And yet you could drop Felix down into the heart of a strange city, even
+great London, and he would presently be able to find his way around, so
+that in a week's time the streets would be as familiar to him as those
+of his native town; while probably Tom Tucker would have to be escorted
+to his hotel by the police every time he sauntered forth. He was used to
+one thing, and Felix another.
+
+When two hours had passed Tom, seeing that his companion had not made
+any sign of going forth began to ask questions.
+
+"Give up the idea of that little hunt for today, Felix?"
+
+"Oh! no," was the reply, as the other got up and stretched himself, for
+he had been busying himself with some small job that allowed of sitting.
+
+"Better be moving, then, or you'll be caught by darkness away from camp;
+and then you'll have to try bunking alone for once," suggested the
+other.
+
+"That's so," Felix went on, beginning to buckle on his ammunition belt,
+and put a few things in the pockets of his coat, the sight of which made
+Tom elevate his eyebrows.
+
+"Don't mean to take any chances, eh?" he remarked.
+
+"Oh! well, there's no telling, and you yourself always say its best to
+be prepared. I expect to be back inside of two hours at the most,
+however," and Felix picked up his gun, showing that he was now ready to
+start.
+
+"And I expect to have a lot of things done by the time you do come
+back," remarked Tom. "If you're lucky enough to get your deer, perhaps
+you'd better only bring home the saddle, and leave the rest for
+tomorrow."
+
+"You're saying that because you know I'm not built along the same husky
+lines you are," declared Felix; "but lots of times these thin fellows
+can show plenty of grit and carrying power. So-long, Tom."
+
+"And Felix," called out the other, as an after thought, "if you happen
+to run up against any of those fellows like Abe Cozzins and Perley
+Kline,--you remember Frazer telling us about their stamp, don't
+you?--better give 'em a wide berth. We know they're being looked for by
+the Government men, and p'raps they know it too, so they may feel ugly
+toward every one. If we were together I wouldn't think much of it; but
+you haven't rubbed up against that sort of border scoundrel as much as I
+have. Be careful, won't you?"
+
+"I guess I will, Tom; and don't worry about me."
+
+With that Felix was gone, his gun over his shoulder, and not a sign of
+his recent weariness to be seen about his quick, springy step, Tom
+noticed, with satisfaction.
+
+The time passed rapidly to the boy who was so busy in camp. In fact, he
+hardly noticed its passage, and when he heard a distant shot, soon
+followed by a second, he was astonished to find that two hours had
+really gone.
+
+"That sounded as though he'd struck something worth while," Tom was
+saying to himself, with a smile, once more turning his attention to
+whatever it was at which he chanced to be working at the time. "But
+unless he hurries in his work, it'll come on dark before he gets back.
+At this time of year night just seems to be in the tallest kind of a
+hurry to get a move on the daylight."
+
+And indeed, as the dusk deepened, and he saw nothing of his chum, Tom
+went to the open door many times, wondering whether after all Felix
+might not have wandered so far afield that his own laughing prediction
+was being fulfilled, and that in truth he was temporarily lost.
+
+But Tom, having prepared supper for two, waited a long time before he
+would sit down alone to eat his portion. As Felix was still absent the
+Western boy began to feel more or less worried. He had thought there
+could be little or no danger in those woods at the base of the Rockies;
+but now, with the absence of his chum, he began to see all sorts of evil
+things that might have come upon Felix, rather unused to these vast
+ranges of wilderness, so different from those he was accustomed to
+roaming in the Far East.
+
+Later grew the hour, and Tom realized that the matter was getting a bit
+serious. He even went out, and fired his gun three times in rapid
+succession; and then listened eagerly; but there was no air stirring to
+carry sounds, and only the melancholy hooting of an owl up among the
+cliffs far away answered him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+UNAVOIDABLE DELAY
+
+
+There was a reason, and a good one, too, for Felix failing to show up
+that afternoon or evening, which will become apparent to the reader
+after a short time.
+
+When he strode away from the camp under the big tree, it was as
+cheerfully as ever he had felt in all his life; nor was he dreaming of
+the possibilities of anything odd, or out of the usual rut, overtaking
+him. But many times it is the unexpected that swoops down upon us; just
+as storms once in a while surprise the oldest weather prophets, coming
+from a point they have never considered.
+
+Felix wanted very much to duplicate the performance of his chum. He had
+made up his mind to three things, which he hoped his trip to the Rockies
+would bring forth. One of these, as has been said before, was to be able
+to shoot a ferocious grizzly bear, alone and unaided. Then he yearned to
+bring down one of those sturdy jumpers of the steeps, a Rocky Mountain
+sheep, or bighorn, stories concerning which he had read so many times;
+and last of all, he hoped to get the head of a seven-pronged buck,
+something that in all his hunting before he had never been able to
+secure for his collection.
+
+He strode away, and in less than half an hour had begun to work things
+to suit the conditions of the hunt. The wind had changed materially from
+the preceding day, and was now coming out of the northwest. This allowed
+Felix a chance to head in a northerly direction, which was just what he
+wanted; because it gave him the option of covering ground which Tom had
+not touched in his little hunt.
+
+Now he was moving cautiously along, eyes and ears on the alert; for his
+chum had warned him that in all probability the first thing he would
+know concerning the presence of a deer would be when he heard it jump
+hurriedly to its feet in some thicket, and then catch a glimpse of its
+brown side as it leaped wildly away. And Felix, being a clever snap-shot
+with his favorite gun, was on the watch ready to do himself credit.
+
+Of course, even the best of hunters may make a poor shot at times, since
+when a deer plunges madly through woods and brush there is no certainty
+for aim; but he believed that if the chances gave him half a show he
+would make a success of his little excursion.
+
+A more cautious or experienced lad than Felix would of course have taken
+more pains to note the lay of the land, and its other features,
+calculated to prove of more or less value to him later on in case he got
+his bearings mixed.
+
+But he was buoyant and indifferent; besides, it happened that he had
+lately discovered certain tracks that held his interest, to the
+exclusion of all such minor things as the possibility of his getting
+lost.
+
+These hoof prints had certainly been made by a deer of unusual size, a
+fact he viewed with exultation, since it told him that undoubtedly here
+was the very buck for which he had long been looking, and whose antlered
+head he began to hope was to grace the wall of his den at home.
+
+And as he moved along he registered a silent vow that he would let
+nothing come in the way to interfere with the success of his
+undertaking, should he only have the good fortune to come up with his
+quarry.
+
+Felix could not tell exactly how old the tracks were. He saw by several
+signs, however, that they had been made since early morning, since in
+places they had broken down the partly frozen earth. He was trusting
+partly to luck that the deer might not be miles away from him just then.
+If he had followed the usual custom of his kind he had lain down during
+the middle of the day, when the sun was warm, and might be feeding by
+this time.
+
+An hour passed away, and Felix was just as eagerly tramping along with
+his eyes fixed upon those tracks as when he first started. If there was
+one trait young Edmondson possessed that cropped out frequently, it was
+his stubbornness, once his mind was made up; no matter what difficulties
+loomed up ahead, that were calculated to dismay the ordinary fellow, he
+would not be deterred.
+
+By now he had covered fully twice the distance from the camp that he had
+intended to do; for instead of sweeping around, and making a half
+circle, he was keeping almost straight on, even though the trail
+zigzagged at times.
+
+Even Felix, without the extended experience in tracking which his
+companion possessed, could tell that he was gaining on the deer, which
+had stopped to browse from time to time, when some tempting bit of green
+grass was come upon in small glades under the heavy timber growth.
+
+This kept his excitement at fever height. What mattered it if he did not
+get back to camp that night; he had made ample preparations for spending
+a short period alone under the trees; and in fact was not wholly averse
+to trying how it felt to be making a bivouac in that Wyoming wilderness,
+quite by himself; for Felix was always seeking new and novel sensations,
+and he could not remember ever camping in solitary state in all his
+life.
+
+At any rate Felix gave promise of some day making a splendid trailer;
+since the prime requisite to success along this line is
+stick-at-it-iveness, such as marks the wolf following the deer through
+day and night, until finally he wearies his intended quarry, and brings
+it to bay.
+
+The tracks now looked much fresher than when he started to follow them.
+He began to hope that he might come suddenly upon his game in some quiet
+nook; and hence his eager finger toyed nervously with the trigger, as he
+kept pushing ahead.
+
+And just as he had anticipated many a time, the first thing he heard was
+a loud snort. Then up jumped a buck of such splendid proportions that
+Felix was thrilled doubly by the apparition. Nevertheless, he did not
+lose his head, as many boys would have done under similar circumstances;
+but as the big beast leaped away, the Marlin repeater was flung up to
+the young hunter's shoulder, and its sharp report instantly followed.
+
+With a crash the deer went down in a heap; but after a wild scramble,
+seemed able to get upon its feet again, proving that the first shot had
+failed to effect a fatal wound.
+
+Felix naturally expected to see the animal go off with frantic bounds,
+and was prepared to send several shots after him, in the hope of
+bringing him down with a lucky bullet; but he did not calculate what a
+painful wound might accomplish in arousing the combative spirit and fury
+in an old buck.
+
+To his intense amazement and consternation, the animal, while "bounding"
+all right, headed directly toward him, instead of away.
+
+This surprising fact must have disconcerted the young Nimrod a trifle,
+at least, as it has many a veteran marksman under similar conditions; at
+least it caused him to aim badly; so that although he pulled trigger and
+the gun spoke, the advancing animal did not seem to swerve from the
+direct course he had taken in starting, and which if pursued, would
+bring him swooping down upon the boy.
+
+Now Felix had heard Tom tell about the far from amiable qualities shown
+by these same hermit bucks, when aroused, and enraged by wounds; and how
+dangerous a charge on the part of one might prove.
+
+He even noted that the antlers were much larger than the coveted
+seven-prongs upon which he had set his mind and hopes; and indeed just
+at that moment they must have appeared to his excited imagination about
+five feet long, and each prong threatening to do him a tremendous amount
+of harm if it came in contact with his person.
+
+Felix rejoiced in the fact that he was in the neighborhood of a
+good-sized tree, behind which he could take immediate shelter, for the
+charging animal was so close upon him that he had no chance to shoot for
+a third time.
+
+And it was with considerable activity and eagerness that the young
+Nimrod gave a leap to one side, and placed the tree-trunk between; but
+he clung with a desperate clutch to his rifle, knowing instinctively
+that sooner or later this was the only thing that could rid him of the
+implacable foe that his shots had aroused to such fury.
+
+And then began a merry chase around that tree, with the wounded buck
+trying all he knew how to reach the fleeing hunter with those terrible
+antlers, which Felix had coveted so much; it began to look just then as
+though he might make their acquaintance in a fashion he had never
+dreamed possible.
+
+Of course the boy had only part of the distance to cover that the deer
+required, in order to pass around the large trunk; but he was compelled
+to do this so many times, and kept going at such constant whirlwind
+speed that presently it began to cause Felix to puff a little; while to
+his alarm the raging beast seemed capable of keeping the chase up
+indefinitely, despite the wound in his shoulder, which Felix noted was
+bleeding considerably.
+
+This fact warned Felix that he had better get busy, and think up some
+new line of tactics, if he hoped to come out of the scrape with flying
+colors, for he certainly could not gallop, or even slide, around that
+tree as he had been doing now for ten minutes, much longer.
+
+The buck was desperately in earnest, and several times, came near
+impaling the boy with his antlers; so that Felix found himself kept busy
+between rushes in avoiding these dangerous attacks.
+
+His attention being taken up just then with trying to work the mechanism
+of his rifle, in the hope of being able to put another bit of lead into
+the anatomy of his pursuer, possibly he failed to note just where he was
+stepping, for suddenly Felix tripped over some object, and fell just in
+the path of the swooping buck!
+
+The rifle was twisted from his hands as he tried to save himself, and
+dropped far beyond his reach. As he tried to squirm out of the way of
+the charging buck, he felt a thrill of horror when the antlers of the
+beast were thrust under him, just missing his flesh, as it were, by an
+inch.
+
+Before he could think twice, he was raised in the air by a sudden upward
+movement of the deer's head; and then went sailing swiftly through
+space, with his arms and legs flying in four separate directions.
+
+Just how high he really did go Felix never knew, though he often
+pondered over the matter with considerable amusement, and wished some
+ambitious photographer might have been present with his little snap-shot
+camera to take the picture, for his edification in future days.
+
+At any rate, he felt his progress checked by the branches of the tree
+under which he happened to be at the time; and with an involuntary
+movement, for thinking was positively out of the question at that
+moment, he instantly threw out both hands, his one idea being to clutch
+something that would prevent his falling back upon those cruel looking
+antlers of the wounded buck.
+
+Fortune was kind enough to allow Felix to fasten to a friendly limb, and
+hold on tenaciously so that after a little struggle he found himself
+astride the same, and looking down in mingled astonishment and
+satisfaction on the chagrined buck below.
+
+The furious animal seemed surprised that the object of his sudden hatred
+should decline to drop back again, to be gored and trampled upon, in
+order to satisfy the rampant spirit of revenge that was now wholly
+dominating the buck's actions. He gave positive evidence of his humor by
+leaping upward again and again as if in hopes of reaching the panting
+lad, who sat there just out of range; though once the sweeping antlers
+managed to touch the dangling foot of the hunter, causing Felix to
+experience an involuntary thrill of apprehension, as he snatched his leg
+hastily away.
+
+Then by slow degrees the ludicrous nature of his predicament dawned upon
+Felix, and leaning back he laughed long and heartily; this only after he
+had anxiously felt of his ribs and limbs, to make positive that nothing
+beyond a few minor contusions and bruises had resulted from this heaving
+act of the animal in causing him to take an unexpected aerial flight.
+
+After that he amused himself in addressing the animal, snorting and
+prancing below, calling him many sarcastic names that might have wounded
+the buck's self respect, could he but have understood. But the stubborn
+deer seemed bent upon only one thing, which was to visit his wrath upon
+the object of his hatred, or at least keep him treed, if it took him all
+night.
+
+When another hour had passed without the beast showing the slightest
+inclination of quitting his post, Felix gave over his playful mood, and
+began to survey the situation in a more serious light.
+
+Why, the stubborn old chap was apt to keep up his vigil all night; and
+even then some.
+
+While the boy might be able to maintain his position among the branches
+of the tree that length of time without great difficulty, Felix
+considered the possibility of having to remain there inactive during a
+chilly night, with anything but pleasure. Thoughts of a cozy campfire
+taunted him, and urged him on to devise some method of outwitting the
+old buck.
+
+What could he do to frighten the beast away? Apparently Mr. Buck was not
+one to be easily scared; and unless heroic measures were adopted, the
+chances of his occupying that elevated position until at least dawn,
+seemed excellent.
+
+Felix cudgeled his brains, endeavoring to recall anything he had ever
+heard or read covering this strange ground.
+
+Of course his first thought and expectation lay in the direction of his
+rifle; for if so be he could only get this valuable asset in his grasp,
+it would soon be goodbye to his tormentor.
+
+Then he remembered that there was also another method of frightening the
+buck away, if only he could apply it. This consisted of taking some
+powder from several of the cartridges belonging to his gun, which still
+reposed in his belt, moistening it until it had the consistency of
+paste; then allowing it to partly dry; but while still in a soft
+condition thrusting a number of pins into the ball, with the points
+sticking out like the quills on the back of the "fretful porcupine."
+
+Watching his opportunity, he would have to make a skillful cast, after
+first applying a lighted match to this boyish idea of a "spit-devil,"
+and fasten it to the back of the jumping deer. Rendered frantic by the
+pain, and fright, the animal would of course dash madly away, and leave
+the prisoner of the tree a chance to descend at his leisure.
+
+This latter scheme was very alluring in the eyes of Felix, in that it
+would relieve him of his persistent enemy; but at the same time he
+remembered that he wanted that same buck's antlers, and more than ever
+now, since they had given him the strangest free ride of all his
+experience; and letting him get away was not at all to his taste.
+
+Then again, not being an experienced bull fighter, expert in tossing the
+ribbon-bedecked burrs that fasten to the sides of a bull in the ring,
+and make him ready for the sacrifice of the matador's sword, Felix
+doubted his ability to land his projectile upon the back of the buck at
+just the right second, and make it stick there long enough to frighten
+the valiant old fellow.
+
+On the whole, he concluded to attempt the other plan, which had to do
+with the recovery of his precious rifle.
+
+To accomplish this it was first necessary to produce some cord, and a
+hook; and then do some fishing for the weapon; all the while the buck
+must be watching his labors, with a possibility of defeating his efforts
+just when success seemed assured.
+
+Fortunately Felix had the cord, all right; and in that wonderful little
+ditty bag, which Tom had taught him to always carry, there turned out to
+be a solitary fish-hook; though what use Felix had intended putting it
+to, was a problem which he could hardly have answered, had the question
+been asked.
+
+He also hung a little weight upon the cord, to properly balance it, and
+allow of better angling.
+
+Everything being ready, Felix crawled out on a limb where he would be
+just above the coveted rifle. The watchful buck noted his movements with
+no doubt considerable curiosity; and even followed below, shaking his
+antlered head from time to time, as if to warn the treed hunter what he
+must expect if he should slip from his hold, and fall to the ground, an
+accident Felix did not mean to have happen if he knew it.
+
+The boy saw that if he commenced work now, the deer might frustrate all
+his efforts by entangling the line in his horns, and jerking it from his
+hands; so he settled down, as if to locate there permanently on that new
+limb.
+
+Presently, as if reassured by his actions that there was nothing to be
+feared from the hunter, the deer began to move restlessly around,
+stopping now and then to look up questioningly; it seemed as though the
+beast had an idea he might thus coax his enemy to descend; for his
+manner was as plain an invitation as anything Felix had ever seen; but
+the boy failed to take advantage of it, continuing his labor of allowing
+the line to drop nearer and nearer the gun.
+
+It was quite an exciting moment for the boy when the hook finally
+landed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+PLENTY OF TROUBLE
+
+
+Felix found it a more difficult task, getting that hook fastened in the
+trigger guard of the rifle, than ever he had dreamed could be possible.
+A dozen times he thought he had accomplished the feat, only to have the
+cord twirl, and the tricky hook double upon itself; so that his "bite"
+turned out to be a mere "nibble," altogether unsatisfactory in results.
+
+But Felix would never give over, and kept at his task with a grim
+determination that was, in fact, born of desperation; since he could
+think of no other way whereby a cold night in that tree might be
+avoided.
+
+Finally success came to crown his efforts, and he actually felt the
+"pull" of the rifle's weight, when he tightened the cord.
+
+The suspicious buck, attracted by the movement of the ascending rifle,
+started to advance in that direction, as if bent upon investigating this
+new feature of the game; so that Felix, in sudden fear lest his little
+trick might be spoiled just when it promised a golden success, had to
+make a quick ascension.
+
+When his angry four-footed foe made a vicious leap forward and upward,
+as if bent upon sending the swinging gun a dozen yards away, the boy's
+heart seemed to be almost in his mouth with the suspense; but as the old
+saying has it, "a miss is as good as a mile," and the buck failed to
+strike the object of his sudden new animosity, though coming perilously
+near it.
+
+When his eager fingers clutched the precious Marlin, Felix felt like
+giving vent to a shout of joy. He knew now that the game lay safely in
+his hands; and had the old buck been as wise as he was savage, he would
+have lost not a second in trotting away from that dangerous vicinity;
+but unaware of his new peril he only started a new series of furious
+jumps in the air, in the futile endeavor to strike the dangling legs of
+his tantalizing human foe.
+
+At another time Felix might have allowed himself to feel a little
+compunction about taking the life of such a valiant old fellow; but his
+sides still ached from the rough experience he had passed through, and
+it was absolutely necessary that he clear the way to his descent from
+that tree.
+
+So he quietly waited until he had a chance to get in a death shot, and
+glancing along the matted top of his rifle barrel, he pulled the
+trigger.
+
+Then the report sounded, the gallant buck went over in a heap; there was
+no wild leap into the air as so frequently happens when a deer receives
+its fatal hurt; but the buck just seemed to crumple up, and drop
+dejectedly in his tracks, as if to prove that he had kept up the fight
+to the bitter end.
+
+Then Felix came down from the tree that he had never climbed; which
+queer feat few people could duplicate, in even a varied experience.
+
+He already knew that, as night was now at hand, he would have to make
+camp there in the wilderness; so that at least it was some consolation
+to know that he need not starve, with all that fresh meat ready at his
+hand; since he had in the buck, tough eating though he might prove,
+sufficient food for any length of time.
+
+Felix immediately set about making ready for the night, after bleeding
+the dead deer--fuel was hastily gathered, and a rude temporary shelter
+erected, after the way he had seen it done by Adirondack guides, and
+called a "lean-to." This was fashioned out of boughs that he found
+handy, and which would at least keep off most of the cold, penetrating
+north wind, as well as snow, should this last fall during the night.
+
+In front of this shelter he built his fire; and once its cheery presence
+came to bolster up his courage, Felix felt no anxiety concerning his
+experience.
+
+In the words of the immortal wandering Indian, he could say when
+rescued: "Injun no lost--wigwam lost--Injun _here_!" for he felt that it
+would prove an easy task on the morrow to take the back trail, loaded
+with the spoils of the chase, and by noon no doubt, bring up close to
+the camp under the big tree.
+
+Proudly he severed the head of the buck, with those grand antlers which
+would some fine day hang in his den at home. This he managed to hang
+from the limb of the tree, hoping thus to preserve it from any animal
+that might be attracted to the spot by the scent of fresh blood.
+Afterwards he meant to come with Tom, and manage in some fashion to
+"tote" that head back to camp, where with the aid of the Western boy he
+would no doubt be able to preserve it for mounting.
+
+After that he began to cut away some of the choice portions of the meat,
+and when the job was completed, he hung the balance that he cared to
+keep from the limb of the tree, encased in the hide of the old buck.
+
+Felix was feeling pretty hungry by now. Soon several generous slices of
+meat had been secured upon the points of splinters of wood the other
+ends of which he thrust into the ground, and inclined at such an angle
+that presently the venison began to sizzle under the influence of the
+red coals, and at last send out a very appetizing odor, calculated to
+make the hungry boy even more ravenous.
+
+The meat proved pretty tough, partly on account of the age of the
+animal; and also because of its not having been allowed to hang a
+certain length of time, as is always preferable in climates where the
+game will not easily spoil. When, however, a fellow has the real woods
+appetite, these minor things are ignored; and Felix munched away for
+half an hour in perfect content, until in the end he realized that he
+had had enough.
+
+After that there was nothing to be done but get ready to spend the night
+as comfortably as the circumstances allowed; indeed, after thinking it
+over, and what a lucky escape he had had from staying in that tree all
+night, hungry and cold, the boy felt that he had nothing to complain
+about.
+
+He had taken pains to gather an ample supply of firewood, and also made
+sure that the magazine of his gun was fully charged; so that when he got
+good and ready, he felt quite safe to lie down and sleep; knowing that
+in all probability he was sure to be up and down many times during that
+night, since camping entirely alone was in the line of a new experience
+for Felix.
+
+Nothing of any note occurred during the hours he spent there under his
+temporary shelter of an arbor; although he fancied that several times
+when he awoke, and got up to put more fuel on the fire, a sly bobcat
+must be prowling around, eager to steal some of the meat but deterred by
+the blaze; the presence of a human being possibly had also something to
+do with its lack of courage; for when day came nothing was missing.
+
+Breakfast, which was an exact repetition of supper, being disposed of,
+Felix began to figure on what course he should take in order to make a
+bee-line for the camp. He consulted his little compass, and sent several
+glances around him at the big mountains, that strangely enough seemed to
+encompass him about much more than he had dreamed possible, and gave him
+a puzzle to solve.
+
+So he decided upon his course, although with a lingering doubt that he
+might once more be about to enjoy an old experience in his career--that
+of losing himself.
+
+Half an hour later, with a pack upon his back containing all he could
+carry of the choice portions of the gallant buck, Felix started forth.
+He cast one backward look, filled with regret, at the antlered head of
+his prize, still secured to the limb of the tree; at least he hoped to
+return at some time in the near future and secure those horns for a
+trophy, even though it were not possible to preserve the head entire.
+
+Felix walked for half an hour, trying to keep as near to the course he
+had laid out as seemed possible. Really it was not such an easy
+proposition as he had at first calculated. Why was it he had so poor a
+sense of direction, he could not say? But he felt sure, that unless he
+improved very much in this respect, he could never hope to make a good
+woodsman like Tom was, for instance.
+
+Somehow, by this time, the boy began to lose a little of his former
+confidence. Things did not seem at all familiar, and he began to feel
+sure that he could not have come this way.
+
+Once more he consulted his compass, and tried to figure out which
+direction stood for home. He laughed at himself for feeling so
+uncertain. What a silly sensation this must be to a proud boy, to
+realize that he is actually all at sea in the woods, and cannot say for
+a certainty which way he ought to go.
+
+Felix laid out a new course, and made a fresh start. He was not at all
+discouraged as yet, and only looked on the thing in the light of a joke;
+just as he had his sailing through the air, to hang to the limb of the
+tree, after the buck had given him a rise in the world.
+
+Once he heard a shot ahead. This caused him to wonder whether it could
+be Tom, or some one else; and he soon decided that if his chum were
+anywhere near by he would be more apt to give the well known signal of
+three shots in order to let the wanderer know of his presence; when
+Felix would be expected to answer in kind.
+
+Tom had warned him several times to keep an eye out for certain vicious
+characters, said to be in hiding away up in this part of Wyoming--men who
+had once been honest guides, but drifted into bad ways; and having been
+known to kill game in the Yellowstone Park reservation, were being
+sought after by the authorities, who meant to make an example of them to
+deter others from doing likewise.
+
+He had understood that such men might not be averse to robbing and
+abusing a young chap who happened to cross their path; and so Felix,
+with this troublesome thought struggling in his brain, walked on in
+silence, looking cautiously to the right and to the left, as if he
+feared that he might suddenly run upon some kind of danger.
+
+Was that a groan he heard; or did some wild animal give vent to a sound?
+
+It seemed to come from the bushes over to his left; and as he stood
+stock-still, and listened, he once more heard the strange and doleful
+sound, which seemed to be half way between a groan and a grunt.
+
+Immediately Felix lowered his burden softly to the ground, and clutching
+his rifle in readiness for instant use, he walked slowly in that
+direction, scanning every foot as he thus advanced.
+
+Then he discovered a slight movement, as the sound again came to his
+ears; and realized that some one was sitting upon the ground, holding
+fast to his arm, as if in great distress and pain. The sight of red
+blood trickling between the bronzed fingers of the party told Felix that
+he had come upon the scene just in time to be very useful along his
+chosen line. Undoubtedly the dark-faced stranger had been badly injured
+by the accidental discharge of his own gun; which would account for the
+single shot Felix had heard.
+
+Without question the man was an Indian, perhaps a halfbreed; though he
+dressed pretty much as did any white man who spent much of his time in
+the wilderness; wearing corduroy trousers; and a blue flannel shirt,
+covered by a faded heavy jacket; while a greasy slouch hat lay upon the
+ground, where it had evidently fallen at the time he hurriedly dropped
+his gun.
+
+Felix hastened forward to reach the side of the suffering man, whose
+raven black locks he now saw were being touched with the frost of years.
+The prospect of a job along his favorite line caused the lad to quicken
+his steps; for all the professional instincts of his nature were
+aroused.
+
+The Indian seemed to maintain the usual stoicism of his race; though the
+pain and the weakness at times caused him to shut his teeth hard, in the
+effort to stifle the groan that tried to well forth.
+
+Any one could easily see that in this quarter at least the boy was quite
+at home, even though there might be a few things connected with
+woodcraft wherein he could blunder.
+
+He immediately took hold, examined the ugly gunshot wound that was
+bleeding so freely, in the fleshy part of the left arm, made a rude but
+effective tourniquet by twisting a stout stick in his handkerchief,
+which he had carefully knotted, so that the protuberance rested exactly
+on the artery; and in this fashion stopped the cut from bleeding.
+
+Then he bound it up as best he could, showing considerable skill in so
+doing.
+
+The old Indian did not utter a single word while all this was going on.
+He had shown considerable disappointment upon first seeing that the
+newcomer was only a mere lad; but presently his black eyes began to
+glitter with satisfaction, when he saw the business-like way in which
+Felix took hold of his job, and the astonishingly clever way in which he
+accomplished that which the other had in vain tried to do by working the
+wrong way.
+
+"There, my friend," said Felix, as he finished his job, "I guess you'll
+hold out now, until you get home. Listen, and I'll tell you just what
+must be done after that," and then he proceeded to explain in simple
+language what should follow his "first aid to the injured work;" to all
+of which the other listened gravely, with an occasional nod of his head,
+to indicate that he understood.
+
+"How far away do you live?" asked the young hunter, finally, wondering
+whether he had not better volunteer to accompany the wounded man home;
+though he understood that an Indian's pride would be terribly hurt by
+such a happening.
+
+For the first time the other spoke, and he proved to have an excellent
+command of English, quite surprising the boy. It told that he was
+accustomed to associating with the whites, and that in all probability
+he had served as guide to many a party of bighorn hunters from the East,
+as Felix suspected.
+
+"Not far away--can get to cabin all right now. Charley Crow never forget
+this. Never before pull gun through bushes by muzzle--much fool this
+time, serve right if head 'stead of arm get bullet. Worst of all is
+shame of telling my people, who will say Charley Crow getting too old go
+on hunt any more; better stay home and dry venison. But I go now on back
+trail; no need any that you come 'long. Tell me name of Little Doctor,
+so I may let my people know what friend they have. Some day mabbe my
+turn--you wait. Now shake hands, and say goodbye. Charley Crow him get to
+cabin all right, you never be 'fraid."
+
+So Felix gladly told him who he was, and how, with a chum, he had come
+to spend some weeks hunting, and doing a little trapping, in the
+foot-hills of the Rockies. In speaking of Tom Tucker he happened to
+mention the name of Old Sol; and immediately the brown face of the old
+halfbreed lighted up.
+
+"Known Old Sol right well. Here one year, we come this way, and always
+good friend Charley Crow. Much glad meet him Tom. Some day mabbe drop in
+see same. If need help, come to cabin under shadow of yonder peak, and
+my boys they glad do you good turn, because me, Charley Crow, still head
+of house! Goodbye!"
+
+He drew himself up proudly, regardless of the pain his wound must be
+causing him; and the lad could see that despite his evident age, the
+well-known halfbreed was as straight as any pine that ever grew in the
+Northland.
+
+Then he stalked away, leaving Felix to look after himself, and wonder if
+Fate had any further adventures in store for him during his little
+outing.
+
+He did not doubt in the least but that so vigorous a man could easily
+reach the home cabin which, in company with his family, he must be
+occupying for a winter's campaign among the fur-bearing animals that
+frequented the district. At the same time it did begin to look as though
+there might be a storm in prospect, as the heavens had clouded over, and
+an occasional snow-flake drifted down lazily, as though they might be
+reckoned ambassadors sent to herald the coming of the first real snow
+fall of the season.
+
+So Felix once more lifted his pack to his back, and again started in the
+direction he believed the camp to be. When it was too late he bitterly
+regretted that he had not also swallowed his pride, and asked Charley
+Crow the right trail that would take him to the cabin of Old Sol. He had
+no positive sense of certainty as to whether his course were the right
+one; and for all he knew, with the mountains apparently turned around in
+his mind, he might even now be heading in the wrong direction.
+
+The lad presently began to realize that his load was beginning to tell,
+for he had really attempted to carry off too much of the venison in the
+desire to stock the camp for some time to come. Twice he found it
+convenient to halt, and rest up a bit; when he once more took up the
+tramp with a shade of reluctance, and half a notion to divide the
+spoils.
+
+It was while he was resting the second time that he caught a strange
+sound that gave him quite a thrill. The baying could only proceed from a
+pack of hounds chasing a fleeing deer!
+
+Felix was troubled a little, and for a very good reason. In talking
+about those lawless guides who had been expelled from Yellowstone Park
+by the Government authorities, Tom Tucker had incidentally informed him
+that one of their favorite tricks was to keep several deer dogs, with
+which they were accustomed to having regular old fashioned chases, such
+as used to be frequent in the Adirondacks in his native State before the
+anti-hounding law was passed and enforced, making it a crime to use dogs
+for such a purpose.
+
+He hoped that the chase would lead away from him, as he certainly did
+not want to make the acquaintance of these rough men, against whom Tom
+Tucker had warned him more than a few times.
+
+Listening carefully as the snapping and baying sounded constantly
+louder, Felix presently concluded that the animals were certainly
+heading his way, and approaching rapidly. He gritted his teeth with a
+grim determination to defend himself if beset by the hound pack; and
+picked up his rifle from the ground, where he had laid it when resting.
+
+At least he was not kept long in suspense. Inside of three minutes he
+discovered something moving rapidly through the bushes, and almost
+immediately saw that it was a noble buck, with its tongue lolling from
+its mouth, and giving other evidences of having been chased hither and
+thither for hours by the hounds, that doubtless had been educated, just
+like a rabbit dog Felix owned, to bring the tired animal back to where
+the hunters waited.
+
+Somehow the sight of that tortured buck gave Felix a wave of disgust. He
+seemed to feel an immediate hope that it would escape from the game
+butchers who used so unfair a mode for securing their quarry. Yes,
+Felix, in the heat of his anger, even went so far as to mentally express
+a hope that one of the owners of the pack--who must be near by, because
+he had plainly heard a shout, as of exultation over the possible ending
+of the chase--would fall into the clutches of the keepers of the great
+Government game reservation, said to be on the lookout for them as
+transgressors of the law.
+
+To his astonishment the pursued buck suddenly changed its course a
+little, and headed almost directly toward the spot where Felix was
+standing, watching the affair with considerable interest. It actually
+seemed to the excited boy as though the despairing deer had turned
+toward him, in a last frantic hope that he might be merciful, and
+stretch out a hand to give the help that was elsewhere denied; though in
+all probability the deer never noticed his motionless figure standing
+there, as it sprang past, and vanished in the thick scrub beyond.
+
+The pack of hounds was now in full sight, racing eagerly along, yapping,
+and giving tongue after the manner of their kind when they are close on
+the fleeing quarry. They looked about as fierce and ugly as so many
+wolves might have been, since the old instinct had been aroused in them
+by the chase. For the time being they had gone back once more to the
+state of the primal beast in pursuit of the prey so necessary to
+continued existence, as a survival of the fittest. Felix shuddered as he
+saw their foam-flecked mouths, from which the red tongues lolled.
+
+There were just three of the dogs, all told, and Felix drew back the
+hammer of his Marlin, not liking the looks of the aroused beasts, and
+suspecting that in their present condition they might not hesitate to
+attack a boy, under the impression that as the trail led almost directly
+toward him, he must have spirited away their intended prey, which they
+had chased so long.
+
+In that event there was just one thing Felix could do, which was to
+defend himself against the pack, no matter at what cost.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+ADRIFT IN THE SNOW FOREST
+
+
+Felix did not have much time to settle this question, for immediately
+the hounds swerved upon the trail, they must have caught sight of him,
+for there came an even more savage and vengeful tone to their baying;
+and leaving the scent, they plunged helter-skelter straight toward the
+standing figure of the young hunter. Perhaps the pack of meat at his
+feet aroused their instincts for food; Felix never knew.
+
+One look would be sufficient to tell what they meant to do. To Felix it
+became patent that, since running would not avail him in the least, he
+must either climb up a tree in a big hurry, or else defend himself;
+unless he meant to allow those savage beasts to drag him down, and
+mangle him shockingly, before their owners could reach the scene.
+
+The prospect was not to his liking, but he had made up his mind as to
+what his course should be; so he threw up his gun, with the full
+intention of settling one, or all of the dogs, unless something
+intervened.
+
+He heard a loud shout as he did so, from some little distance away; but
+it was impossible to tell whether the call was intended as a warning to
+him not to fire on the ferocious pack; or an endeavor to recall the
+hounds; but no matter, it was a wasted effort, since Felix could not
+hold back his fire, his very life being in peril.
+
+Remembering the serious consequences that had followed his hasty shot at
+the big buck, Felix was a little more careful when pressing the trigger
+of his repeating rifle. In return he had the satisfaction of seeing the
+leading hound roll over immediately after he fired.
+
+Calmly the boy threw out the empty cartridge, and sent another into the
+firing chamber. Had he been a volunteer upon parade, and firing at an
+inanimate target, he could not have gone through the manoeuvre with more
+precision and exactness. Consequently, the gun, being made by the most
+skillful workmen, did its duty faithfully, as it always will when
+properly handled; and in about two winks of an eye Felix stood there,
+ready to repeat his performance, in case the necessity awaited.
+
+Neither of the other two dogs had taken the least warning from the fate
+that had overtaken their companion. If anything, they tried to increase
+their speed in chasing toward the boy who stood there as though defying
+them to come on, though of course this was hardly the thought animating
+the actions of Felix.
+
+"All right; you will have it, then!" he muttered, as his eye glanced
+along the matted barrel; and then his forefinger ever so slightly
+touched the willing trigger, at which there was a second sharp report.
+
+Dog Number Two proceeded to whirl around, leaping up in the air, and in
+many ways showing he had received a dose that was likely to put him
+forever out of the running.
+
+Felix put him immediately away from his mind. There was one more, and
+all the danger now centered in that remaining beast. By this time the
+leaping dog was fearfully close to him, and coming with unabated speed
+that proved him a stayer, after such a long chase.
+
+He presented a really terrifying aspect, with the foam dribbling from
+his open jaws; the hair on his short neck standing on end like bristles;
+and his eyes seeming to be bloodshot through the heat and excitement of
+the long pursuit.
+
+Still, Felix did not seem to be rattled even a little bit, a fact that
+caused him to feel considerable wonder, as well as satisfaction, later
+on, when reviewing all the circumstances connected with the momentous
+occasion.
+
+He had his gun up to his shoulder with pretty much the confidence of a
+veteran Nimrod, meeting the charge of an old rogue elephant, or a
+wounded tiger, in the East Indian jungles. When the dog was not more
+than twenty feet away, he pressed the trigger.
+
+His confidence was well placed, it seemed, for his ball must have
+entered the brain of the third and last hound; which whirled half way
+around, to fall in a heap; staggered to his feet, took several tottering
+steps forward, still strong in his overmastering impulse, even in death,
+and then once more dropped, never to rise again.
+
+The lad had hardly dared hope to meet with such remarkable success in
+such an adventure, yet there were the three hounds lying on the
+ground--Felix had doubtless saved the poor hunted buck from destruction;
+but at what cost to himself?
+
+Loud curses could be heard, drawing rapidly closer; and it was evident
+that the owners of the pack would presently burst upon the scene, filled
+with fury at the fate of their hounds.
+
+Most young fellows might have deemed discretion the better part of
+valor, and abandoning the meat, made themselves scarce as soon as
+possible; taking to their heels, with but one thought in view, and that
+to leave the immediate neighborhood as speedily as possible.
+
+That might have been the wisest plan, too, considering all things; but
+somehow Felix Edmondson was too proud to give in to this impulse. He was
+still flushed with the success of his battle; and also with indignation
+toward those who would resort to such unsportsmanlike methods for
+securing game.
+
+Besides, would he not have been torn to pieces by the fierce animals,
+only for his ability to handle that faithful rifle?
+
+So Felix simply took a look at his gun, to make sure that it was ready
+for use, slipping in several more cartridges where they would give a
+good account of themselves, and awaited the coming of the fuming owners
+of the defunct pack.
+
+They proved to be two in number, and at sight of them Felix realized
+that his worst fears were about to be realized, in that he was face to
+face with a pair of the most notorious characters in the whole
+region--the descriptions tallied exactly, even to the single eye of Abe
+Cozzins; and the flaming red beard of Perley Kline.
+
+In times past these men had served as guides, and possibly skillful ones
+too, because they were born woodsmen; but the love of liquor had dulled
+their sense of honesty, and after a time they began to gain a reputation
+for being light fingered, valuables disappearing mysteriously from camps
+where they had charge. By degrees, then, they lost all chance for
+securing regular employment, since gentlemen coming from the East for
+big game shooting, liked to feel that they could depend fully on the
+guide, in whose hands they entrusted their fortunes, even their lives,
+at times.
+
+Consequently Cozzins and Kline, being unemployed most of the time, began
+to hunt game illegally within the confines of Yellowstone Park; which,
+coming to the attention of the authorities, always keen to punish
+anything of this sort, the men were really being looked for, far and
+wide, and in a measure found themselves in the place of the hunted.
+
+It was this unwholesome looking couple who now strode angrily up to
+young Edmondson, with fury blazing in their eyes.
+
+Felix held his rifle in such a manner that, had they shown a disposition
+to attack him, he could have defended himself, and treated them to a
+dose of the same medicine he had handed out to their dogs.
+
+"Hold hard, there!" he remarked, sharply; "you've come close enough. Now
+say what you want from there!"
+
+The two rough men, while evidently astonished to find themselves spoken
+to in this strain, understanding that the young fellow who could stand
+there and deliberately knock over three savage hounds in succession was
+not one to be easily daunted, pulled up, and divided their scowling
+glances between the hunter and the dead dogs, for the last animal had
+ceased to make a movement by now.
+
+"Say, what d'ye mean ashootin' our dawgs thataways?" spluttered the
+fellow who had only one eye, though that was now glaring with a
+fierceness equal to half a dozen ordinary optics; he also punctuated his
+words with a variety of forcible exclamations, which there is no
+necessity for repeating, though doubtless Abe Cozzins imagined they
+added vim and picturesqueness to his query, and might help awe the boy.
+
+"I was minding my own business when they started to attack me, with
+murder in their eyes. If I hadn't shot I'd have been torn to pieces.
+Everybody has a right to defend himself. If I hadn't happened to have a
+repeating rifle of the best make to fall back on, and knew how to use
+it, there'd have been murder done; and you'd have to stand the blame.
+I'm sorry, now, I had to kill the poor brutes, for they hardly knew what
+they were doing. I reckon the whole blame lies with their owners."
+
+Bold words these, from a young fellow not yet fully grown, and addressed
+to two of the wildest, most reckless spirits in all Wyoming; perhaps
+those men could not remember having been taken so to task for many a
+day; and in surprise they exchanged dubious glances, and then looked
+hastily and uneasily around, as though half expecting that Felix must be
+backed up by half a dozen comrades.
+
+Seeing no signs of such an enemy, however, they became themselves again,
+though far too tricky to throw off the mask wholly, while that lad stood
+by his gun, and seemed ready to try conclusions with them.
+
+Felix should have known that they were just as furious as ever under the
+surface; but then he was not experienced in such matters, and judged
+other people more or less by his own feelings.
+
+He saw them talking together in low tones; after which they allowed
+their dark faces to take on a more affable look, as they once more
+turned toward him.
+
+"Say, younker," commenced Abe Cozzins, in a whining voice, "we ain't got
+no grudge aginst yuh for what yuh done. Them dawgs was some valuable tuh
+us, sure, but if so be they pestered yuh, thar was on'y one thing yuh
+could do; an' we reckons yuh done thet good an' hard. The pesky critters
+broke away from us, an' we was atryin' tuh git holt o' 'em agin, when
+this hyar thing happened. They's no reason we should hold hard feelin's
+aginst yuh fur defendin' yerself aginst 'em; anybody'd a done the same.
+But it comes mighty hard on two pore guides outen a job; fur yuh see, we
+was atakin' of them dawgs tuh Colonel Walpole over at ther reservation,
+who'd promised tuh buy 'em off us, tuh run down fellows as gits too gay
+ashootin' up the game in ther Park."
+
+Abe put on a piteous face while telling this hastily constructed yarn;
+and altogether he did succeed in disarming the suspicions of Felix, even
+though the boy might still consider that the two men were hard
+characters. Felix felt sorry at once.
+
+"If that's so I don't mind chipping in, and giving you something to help
+out. Perhaps it wasn't your fault, then, that the dogs were loose; and
+I've heard of Colonel Walpole, too. Here's ten dollars on account; and
+if you choose to leave me an address, I might send you another bill when
+I get back home."
+
+Felix spoke from the depths of a frank and honest heart. He felt that he
+had unwittingly been the cause of depriving these men of something they
+doubtless valued highly; and so far as he could within reason make
+amends, Felix was willing to settle the claim, unjust though it might
+be.
+
+The two men exchanged looks, and actually grinned, as though with
+pleasure; after which Cozzins advanced with extended hand, at the same
+time talking volubly, evidently with the intention of taking the boy off
+his guard, though Felix did not suspect such a thing.
+
+"Say, that's purty white in yuh, stranger. 'Taint many fellers as'd do
+sech a nice job as thet, arter the dawgs'd broke loose on 'em. Me an' my
+pal is much obliged, and yuh bet we'll never furgit sech kindness.
+'Taint often we sees a tenner these hard times. Now, if so be we kin do
+anything in return, why--take thet, ye young cub!" and of a sudden,
+catching Felix off his guard, he struck him a vicious blow in the face,
+and at the same instant snatched the rifle out of his hands.
+
+The boy staggered back, and would have fallen, only for the support of a
+tree. For half a dozen seconds he stood there, staring at the brutal
+ruffian, now laughing, and examining the captured repeating rifle; while
+the blood trickled down his cheek, where the heavy and hard knuckles of
+the man had bruised and broken the skin.
+
+Then, as if realizing the dastardly and cowardly nature of the attack
+upon him, even while he was in the act of generously compensating them
+for having killed their dogs, Felix became wild with anger. Uttering a
+scream he started to leap at Cozzins, reckless as to the consequences,
+and only desirous of returning that foul blow.
+
+The man swung the rifle up so as to cover the advancing lad; though it
+may be deemed doubtful whether he would have fired under any
+provocation, since they were already two against one; and then there was
+always a possibility that the boy might be connected with those grim
+guardians of the Park, whose advent on the scene Abe and his comrade
+dreaded more than they would be willing to confess.
+
+Perley Kline, however, sprang in between, throwing aside the barrel of
+the gun, and giving Felix a push that sent him headlong to the grim
+ground, his head striking with such force that for a brief time he
+actually lost all consciousness of what was going on.
+
+He felt hands searching his person, and knew that the rascals were
+actually turning to downright robbery in their extremity; though truth
+to tell, possibly this was not the first time they had had their hands
+in the pockets of others who happened to be asleep.
+
+Then they seemed to consult in low tones, after which each of them gave
+the lad a contemptuous kick, as if to vent their spleen further, in
+order to cancel the debt they thought he owed them on account of the
+slaughter of their trained dogs.
+
+As Felix lay there in a half conscious condition, smarting from his
+wounds, he realized that they had gone off, after stripping him of
+everything of value he possessed, and even taking the pack of venison he
+had "toted" over such a weary distance, up to that time.
+
+Felix, still full of grit, attempted to follow them, after staggering to
+his feet; but really he found himself so weak from his injuries that his
+head began to fairly swim, and he had to drop down on a friendly log
+before going twenty paces.
+
+He heard a derisive laugh that made him groan with disgust over his
+inability to do anything; then the sound of footsteps grew fainter, and
+he knew that he had been left alone in the heart of the wilderness, with
+no weapon for self defense, or to be used in an effort to procure the
+means of continued existence, in case he could not find the camp.
+
+This, however, sank into insignificance beside the ignominy of those
+kicks; and his proud young soul writhed under the memory of the insult;
+while he mentally registered a vow to make those two ruffians pay dearly
+for the experience, sooner or later, as the chance arose.
+
+By slow degrees he began to get back his strength, and could think
+seriously concerning his next step. At first he burned with the desire
+to try and follow after those scoundrels, and in some way manage to
+recover all they had taken from him; but second thought convinced him
+that such a task was far beyond his capacity in his present helpless
+condition; even supposing he could follow successfully, which was
+extremely doubtful, how could he hold two armed men up, and make them
+disgorge?
+
+No, it would surely be better for him to conserve his powers in every
+way possible, and try to effect a junction with his chum; when they
+could talk it over, and decide what ought to be done in order to turn
+the tables on Cozzins and Kline.
+
+The fact that he was now without food seemed to give Felix more cause
+for concern than anything else. The thieves had confiscated the contents
+of the little knapsack he had carried with him, or rather ditty bag; all
+he found of any value was a lone match that seemed to have escaped the
+hasty search of the men; and in his eyes this assumed an importance all
+out of proportion to its size.
+
+Felix believed that if only he could follow his back trail, and reach
+the tree where his desperate encounter with the wounded buck had taken
+place, he would find plenty of meat to last him many days; and with that
+last precious match he could start a fire that he would not allow to go
+out; so that here he might camp until such time as Tom came hunting for
+him.
+
+This, then, was the sensible programme that finally took possession of
+the boy; although it was with considerable disappointment he gave up all
+idea of following after the two men, seeking revenge because of their
+cowardly conduct.
+
+Every time Felix put a hand up to his bruised cheek he gritted his
+teeth, and in imagination saw the rogues brought to account through his
+instrumentality; and it was surprising how much satisfaction such a
+pleasing prospect gave him.
+
+Quitting the vicinity of the three dead dogs that had been left where
+they lay by their late masters, he started to follow his back trail,
+with all the skill he was capable of calling to his assistance.
+
+This was, of course, something he had never dreamed of doing half an
+hour previously; but all the same, he was glad to see he had somehow
+managed to leave such a plain series of tracks, burdened with the meat
+pack as he had been, that there promised to be little trouble in
+following the trail, if only the snow held off.
+
+That began to worry him now; what if a bitterly cold storm should break
+while he was wandering about in the wilderness, with only a single match
+between himself and freezing to death?
+
+The idea proved so very unpleasant that it urged him to make better time
+in following his back trail; and yet when he remembered how long he had
+been walking since starting forth after breakfast; and that it must take
+him at least the same length of time to again cover the ground, Felix
+began to fear he was in for the worst experience of all.
+
+However, the lad was full of grit, and could not be made to easily lie
+down when trouble threatened; he would meet it face to face.
+
+When almost an hour had passed, and he reckoned that he was possibly
+half way back to the tree that had been a haven of refuge to him in that
+fight with the wounded buck, he took heart of grace, and hope began to
+rise stronger in his breast; but only for a brief space of time.
+
+Then he took notice of the fact that the lazy flakes were beginning to
+descend more thickly and it began to look as though the air would soon
+be filled with the feathered harbingers of coming winter, until he could
+not see ten feet away.
+
+The remembrance of that single match gave him a strange sense of
+comfort, small item that it might be reckoned. What did cause him to
+fret, though, was the possibility of the ground soon being so covered
+with the snow that he could no longer find his own late trail, and must
+give over the hope of reaching supplies under the big tree.
+
+Five minutes later and he realized that this condition really faced him,
+since he was now utterly unable to discern the faintest trace of his
+footprints; while around him stretched the vast woods, each quarter
+looking the same in the rapidly descending snow.
+
+He had taken his bearings after a fashion, and continued to stumble
+along for a little while, in the hope that he might by good luck run
+across the tree in which he had fastened the antlered head of the buck.
+
+Finally Felix realized the hopelessness of his hunt, and determined to
+make a camp, where he could hold out the best way possible against cold
+and hunger. Imagine his utter dismay when he discovered that in some
+strange manner his little ditty bag, containing that one precious match,
+must have been detached by some officious branch, when he was making his
+way along. At least, it had utterly disappeared, and he was now facing a
+condition rendered doubly bad on account of the increasing cold which
+deemed to come with the snow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+TURNING THE TABLES
+
+
+The discovery that he had now no possible means for fighting the cold,
+that was sure to increase as the day wore on and night approached, gave
+Felix a rude shock.
+
+He faced a situation that might prove very serious indeed; and it was
+little wonder that he instituted an eager search of all his pockets, in
+the faint hope that he might in some way manage to find just one
+fugitive match that had escaped the spoilers, and in the end prove, his
+salvation.
+
+Only keen disappointment rewarded his efforts; and after going three
+times over every pocket, he was forced to give it up with a grunt of
+disgust.
+
+All thought of trying to find the tree in which the venison hung now
+passed from his mind; and he devoted his efforts to searching for some
+friendly hollow, where he could make a shelter in some rude fashion
+against the night that would come after a while, for it must by now be
+about the middle of the short day.
+
+What would he not have been willing to pay for a little box of safety
+matches, that sell for a penny in town? But he might as well wish for
+the moon; as one was as easy to secure as the other, just then.
+
+So he pushed on, staggering through the increasing snow fall. When he
+was indifferent to such a thing, he had noted several splendid places
+where he might have found decent shelter, and built up a refuge against
+the storm; but now that the need had arisen, Fate seemed to take an
+especial delight in baffling him, for, look as he would, he did not come
+across anything that appealed to his fancy.
+
+Rendered desperate at length, when he found his strength giving out on
+account of his unusual exertions during the two days, and the rough
+treatment he had received both from the wounded buck and the angry
+desperadoes, Felix finally made up his mind that he could wait no longer
+for what he wanted, but must make a virtue of necessity, and take what
+offered.
+
+So, coming across a tree that had fallen during some violent wind storm,
+he saw that when the roots had been torn up quite a large patch of earth
+had come along with them. The hollow back of this barrier would prove a
+very good refuge against the storm, for it happened to face in the best
+possible way.
+
+Here in this hole, then, he must burrow, doing the best he knew how to
+hide from the wind that blew the snow with such violence. Felix set
+about carrying out this idea without further loss of time.
+
+Of course it was but an apology of a den after all; though much better
+than remaining out where the cold wind had a sweep at him. Here he
+settled down to pass the balance of that dreary afternoon, which he
+remembered must be followed by a night he was not soon apt to forget.
+
+Bitter regrets swept over him from time to time, as he lay there huddled
+in a heap. Never again would he be caught so easily by soft words, when
+he ought to know these were only a mask to hide treacherous work.
+
+And then, after taking himself to task in this manner, most severely,
+Felix would recollect that even an experienced woodsman may make a
+mistake occasionally. Look at old Charley Crow, for instance, a man born
+and brought up in the wilderness, and accustomed to handling a gun from
+childhood; yet had he not been incautious enough to draw his rifle
+toward him, _muzzle first_, through some bushes, with the result that
+the weapon had been discharged, sending the bullet through the arm of
+the old halfbreed?
+
+Yes, some others besides greenhorns in the woods, make mistakes
+occasionally.
+
+Slowly that afternoon dragged on, and then came night, which Felix knew
+was apt to be the longest and most disagreeable of all his life, thus
+far.
+
+Little sleep came to the lost lad.
+
+In fact, he hardly dared lose himself, for fear lest he actually freeze
+to death; for although the temperature did not actually fall very low at
+any time, to his excited imagination this humble little storm was in the
+nature of such a blizzard as those which Tom had told him visited the
+Far Northwest every Winter, carrying death to many cattle that were
+caught without shelter.
+
+Every hour at least, Felix would crawl out of his shelter, to ascertain
+what the signs of promise might be with regard to the weather; and on
+such occasions he thought it the part of wisdom to exercise his limbs
+energetically; so as to keep his blood in circulation; and hence, upon
+creeping into his hole again, very like a fox, as he would grimly remark
+to himself, he was hardly in a condition to settle down.
+
+He could not tell what time it was for several reasons; in the first
+place he had no watch, for the ruffians had carried off his little
+dollar nickel contraption in conjunction with all his other effects; and
+even had this not been the case, without a match, how could he have seen
+the face in order to note the position of the hands?
+
+A woodsman would have known of several ways by means of which to tell
+about the time of night; but Felix was hardly up to such tricks,
+especially on a stormy night like this, when neither moon nor stars were
+visible.
+
+But one thing cheered him after a while; and this was the fact that the
+snow had ceased to fall when about three inches lay on the ground. Then,
+after all, things might not be quite so bad as he had begun to picture
+them, and he would not be snowed-in, destitute of food, and all means
+for securing warmth; why, there might even be a chance for finding the
+camp on the following day, if only he could keep his wits about him, and
+figure correctly as to his present position, so as to locate the
+direction where the cabin lay.
+
+When Felix had crawled out of his poor shelter for the seventh time, as
+he figured it, he began to look hopefully toward the quarter where
+according to his calculations the east must surely lie. Nor was he
+deceived, for he discovered to his great joy a very faint but positive
+sign that the sky was brightening, and this told that dawn must be near.
+
+As soon as it was fairly light, he left his shelter, which after his
+boyish fashion he had named Camp Shiver, and struck out in what he
+believed to be the proper direction.
+
+It was not very encouraging, however, starting on a long tramp hungry
+and cold; but Felix still had plenty of grit, and shutting his teeth
+hard, resolved to let nothing dismay him.
+
+Two hours later, and he found himself obliged to confess that his
+knowledge of woodcraft seemed at fault, when brought face to face with
+the difficulties to be encountered in a snow forest. He was really
+hopelessly bewildered, and could not give the slightest guess as to
+whether he should head north, south, east or west, in order to reach
+camp. The mountains loomed upon two sides, now, as though he had
+wandered somehow into a sort of pocket.
+
+He tried shouting now and then, though it seemed next to foolish to hope
+that any one could hear him, unless indeed it might prove to be the
+rough men with whom he had had his recent unhappy experience; so
+presently he stopped that.
+
+The cold no longer brought anxiety, for his exertions kept him from
+feeling this; but he was mighty hungry, and had visions of all the
+glorious dishes he and Tom had ever eaten in company in the past;
+somehow they seemed to arise before him, and make him groan with the
+empty feeling within.
+
+About this time Felix chanced to notice that he was almost under the
+shadow of a peculiar peak, which he remembered noticing before; and all
+at once it dawned on him that this was the very mountain Charley Crow
+had pointed to, when he declared that his cabin nestled at its base; and
+that if the Little Doctor chose to drop in there at any time, he would
+receive a royal Indian welcome.
+
+The very idea filled Felix with unutterable joy. Oh! if only he could
+run across that Indian cabin now, how readily would he throw aside all
+his pride, and accept whatever food they could give him; perhaps even
+securing a guide in addition who would take him back to the camp.
+
+And so, filled with a new ambition, he pushed ahead, his hopes revived
+once more. Through the branches of the trees, to which none of the snow
+had clung on account of the wind accompanying the storm, he could catch
+glimpses of the spur that extended out from the main mountain chain; and
+such progress did he make that in about an hour he fancied he smelled
+smoke in the air.
+
+After that it was not a difficult thing to follow the direction in which
+this came to him on the wind; until in the end he gave a shout, upon
+discovering a rude log cabin nestling under an over-hanging shelf of
+rock.
+
+It must certainly be the temporary home of Charley Crow and his family;
+and with renewed hopes Felix started forward on a half run, so eager was
+he to make sure that his eyes had not deceived him.
+
+Now he could see human beings moving about, and a couple of yellow
+mongrel curs started out with loud barks to meet him; but somehow he did
+not feel that they were dangerous, like those savage hounds that had
+been running the deer; and while only grasping a stout cudgel in his
+hand, Felix continued to advance.
+
+A couple of young Indians hurried after the dogs, calling roughly to
+them to behave; and Felix knew that he had found friends. He lost no
+time in explaining that he was nearly famished; whereat the two
+exchanged glances, and ranging alongside, took him by the arms, and
+assisted him to the cabin; for somehow, such was the effect of the
+change from despair to great joy, that a singular weakness seemed to
+grip the lad.
+
+He spoke the name of Charley Crow, and as if understanding what he
+wished to convey, they led him into the comfortable cabin, where the boy
+found himself face to face with the old halfbreed whom he had so gladly
+assisted in the woods.
+
+Charley Crow had his wounded arm done up in bandages, and was sitting in
+a rudely made but comfortable chair. At sight of Felix a broad smile of
+welcome came upon the bronzed face of the old guide.
+
+He held out his well hand, and greeted Felix warmly; indeed, there need
+be not the least fear but that every wish of the lost hunter would
+hardly be expressed before it was sure to be granted, if it lay in the
+power of these people.
+
+Upon learning that food was the first thing he wanted, Charley Crow
+spoke to his sons, and to his wife, who seemed to be a full blooded
+Shoshone squaw. Eager to do something to show their gratitude toward the
+Little Doctor, of whom they had heard so much since the home coming of
+the wounded man, the two well-grown sons darted from the cabin,
+doubtless to get food from a _cache_ in the open, where meat would keep
+fresh all winter, once it was frozen.
+
+Felix soon related what dire misfortune had befallen him some time after
+parting from the old guide; and the anger of Charley Crow was aroused
+toward the pair of precious scoundrels who had dared to do this thing.
+
+"They pass night not half mile away from here," he declared, "for my son
+Jo, he see same when he come in from his line of traps. He speak with
+these men, not wishing to make foes out of same; but when they ask him
+to stay at their fire, Jo, he no stop, for he know how they bad case. I
+promise you, my friend, all be return to you before this day it pass.
+But listen, that not all. Revenge you shall have for such kicks they
+give you. Not two mile away I know where is a camp of men from Park, who
+hunt for these Abe and Kline, I understand. When I learn about them I
+say to my sons, this is not business for us; let Mr. Harbison and his
+men find them. Now it is my affair. Make mind easy, for all will be
+well."
+
+Felix was delighted with this assurance, for he disliked the idea of
+having to pass the remainder of his vacation in the region of the
+Rockies without that fine repeating rifle, which he looked to obtain him
+other trophies of the chase, in the shape of a grizzly bear; and
+possibly a bighorn, strange acrobat of the mountain ledges.
+
+He was speedily placed before a bountiful breakfast, though since he had
+eaten nothing since that last meal under the big tree where the buck had
+fallen, he was at a loss to know what name to give his repast.
+
+Mrs. Crow, it seemed, had learned how to cook after the white woman's
+way, for everything tasted just splendid to the boy, and after he had
+finished he declared he felt like a new fellow.
+
+When about this time he saw the two sons of Charley Crow enter the cabin
+for a last conference before starting out, he begged to be allowed to
+accompany them.
+
+Old Charley looked dubious at first, and then noting the eager flush on
+his face, and apparently sympathizing with the feeling that prompted
+Felix to wish to see with his own eyes the discomfiture of the two
+rascals who had robbed and mistreated him, he finally nodded his head in
+the affirmative.
+
+So, armed with the rather antiquated rifle of the old man, and fortified
+by his late good meal, Felix felt like a different person from the
+forlorn lad who had hovered in the hollow beneath the upturned roots of
+the fallen tree, and counted the long minutes of the preceding night, as
+they crept past.
+
+They speedily passed over the two miles separating the Indian cabin from
+the place where Charley Crow had known the Government officers, who were
+out looking for offenders against the laws, to have their temporary
+camp. Luckily they found Mr. Harbison, who was in charge of the
+expedition, and both his deputies there.
+
+Felix soon told his story, and was pleased to see the decided interest
+the others showed in his recital. They had long been trying to get on
+the trail of the two men, against whom they had warrants for several
+lawless acts.
+
+A dozen or two questions followed, and the answers of Felix managed to
+put the officers in complete possession of the facts; especially after
+they heard what one of the sons of Charley Crow had to tell.
+
+Speedily the party set out to find the spot where the two thieves had
+spent the night, according to the story of the young Indian.
+
+Of course it could hardly be expected that Abe and his partner would be
+found still there, since they may have been heading for some distant
+point at the time, possibly intending to sell the fine repeating rifle
+that had come into their hands, and which they could claim they found in
+the woods; but with three inches of new snow covering the ground, there
+should be little trouble in following their trail.
+
+It turned out just so; and upon making a close examination it was
+decided by the wardens, as well as the Indians, that the men had been
+gone just an hour; it appearing that they were in no hurry, since they
+had plenty of venison, thanks to Felix.
+
+This was but a small start, and could be easily overcome, especially
+since those in the advance had not the slightest warning to the effect
+that they were being pursued, and hence would not be apt to make any
+especial effort looking to speed.
+
+If Felix began to feel his limbs grow weary he would not have admitted
+the fact for worlds; but shut his teeth hard, and conjured up the scene
+he soon expected to feast his eyes upon, with those two ruffians who had
+kicked an almost senseless boy, in custody, perhaps their hands in
+irons; since he had noticed Mr. Harbison drop a couple of pair of wrist
+irons in the pocket of his coat ere starting out.
+
+It was a pleasing picture, and with every twinge he felt from his wounds
+Felix kept saying to himself that it was a long lane that had no
+turning; and that he was perfectly justified in wanting to have the
+brutes caught.
+
+They pushed on steadily, six in all, and every one armed. From time to
+time Mr. Harbison informed Felix they were steadily overtaking the
+fugitives, and that in all probability they would be apt to come upon
+them while they were taking a bite around noon.
+
+Often, in time to come, would the boy recall the picture, and once again
+see each eager face of Indian and white man, as they pushed along
+through the aisles of that snow forest, bent upon the mission of
+justice.
+
+He felt a constant sense of exhilaration, knowing that with every
+passing minute they must really be shortening the distance separating
+them from those whom they sought. And as he pushed on, filled with much
+of his old time determination, Felix kept a bright lookout ahead,
+endeavoring to discover the first sign of smoke in the air, or moving
+figures, that could only be those of the two bad men they sought.
+
+So the time went by until, from the position of the sun, Felix knew that
+it could not be far from the noon hour. And at any moment now he hoped
+and expected to hear the welcome announcement that they had overtaken
+the men they followed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE BUCK'S HEAD
+
+
+An exclamation from one of the sons of Charley Crow announced that their
+quarry had been sighted ahead; and shortly afterward, even Felix could
+discover the smoke of a fire through the vista of tree trunks beyond;
+proving that, just as Mr. Harbison had said, the two men had halted to
+cook some more of their easily acquired venison, and take things easy.
+
+In single file the party advanced; and so earnestly were the pair of
+scoundrels at the fire employed getting their lunch ready, that they
+failed to note the presence of the others until the six lined up close
+by, and Mr. Harbison called upon them to throw up their hands and
+surrender.
+
+Both of them looked very ugly; and given half a chance they might have
+made it very interesting for the posse; but with six rifles covering
+them, they saw it would be the height of foolishness to resist. Besides,
+they had reason to know and fear the man in charge of the force; so,
+with a forced laugh, they held up their hands, and announced that they
+would not try to run away, or resist.
+
+Mr. Harbison took no chances with such men. He speedily snapped the
+irons upon their wrists, which act brought out a chorus of hard words;
+for they had not expected being treated so severely, not having
+recognized Felix as yet, as his hat was drawn down well over his face,
+and he was wearing an extra old coat belonging to Charley Crow. So that
+the men fancied at first they were being arrested on account of some
+misdemeanor connected with their work in the reservation known as
+Yellowstone Park.
+
+When, upon the request of the head of the posse, Felix stepped up, and
+identified the pair of rascals as the men who had set upon, beaten, and
+robbed him of his rifle, as well as everything else of value he had with
+him, they began to show signs of positive uneasiness, realizing that
+they were in a pretty bad fix.
+
+It was indeed a great pleasure for the lad to once again fondle his own
+gun; and his first act was to carefully wipe it all over, as though he
+thought it may have suffered more or less contamination through contact
+with such a dirty specimen of humanity as the one-eyed Abe Cozzins.
+
+The officers announced their intention of starting immediately south
+with the prisoners, as it would take them several days to reach the town
+they expected to use as a place for locking the men up in. Felix made
+arrangements to give his deposition when he came out with his chum,
+about Christmas; although Mr. Harbison admitted that he hardly needed
+anything more in order to send them to the penitentiary for a term of
+years.
+
+Somehow Felix, now that he had recovered his possessions, did not feel
+so vindictive as he had expected he would; and had the fellows shown a
+proper spirit of humility the boy would have only too gladly allowed the
+matter to drop, so far as he was concerned.
+
+But they chose to take just the opposite course, cursing him roundly,
+and making savage threats of all kinds as to what they would do if they
+got free; which was just the way to arouse all his resentment, and cause
+him to give his promise to appear against them later on.
+
+Felix was very glad when they finally went away, leaving him with the
+two sons of old Charley Crow. Learning that they were not more than five
+miles away from the little shack where Old Sol had often held forth
+during the trapping season, the boy was seized with an overwhelming
+desire to get back home, and rest up; and when the others heard this,
+one of them, the strapping big fellow called Jo by his father, said he
+would see him safely there.
+
+It was really quite a tug for Felix, and only his grim determination
+carried him through, for his lower limbs began to feel as though each of
+them weighed a ton; so that he found considerable difficulty in dragging
+them along; but as familiar scenes began to crop up, the nearer he came
+to the cabin, as a consequence he finally found himself in sight of
+home.
+
+Never did a ship-wrecked mariner greet port with more enthusiasm than
+Felix did the little old dugout under the big tree.
+
+Of course Tom was away, undoubtedly wildly scouring the woods in search
+of his missing chum; but then he would come back after a certain time to
+see whether the lost one had returned; so all that Felix had to do was
+to make himself comfortable and wait.
+
+Jo said he would like to stay with him, and meet Tom. Any one who had
+known Old Sol was worth cultivating, in the eyes of the Indian boy, who
+had looked upon the veteran trapper as a veritable wonder.
+
+They had a fine fire that warmed the interior of the cabin, and Felix
+was drowsing before this, while Jo examined the wonderful repeating
+rifle; when the door was flung violently open, and there stood Tom, his
+eyes staring as though he could hardly believe what they showed him.
+
+Returning almost in despair because he could get no trace of his missing
+chum, he had discovered from the smoke that some one was occupying the
+dugout; after that it took him just five seconds to reach the door, and
+open the same.
+
+In another instant Tom had thrown his arms around his cousin, and was
+hugging him just as though he might be a long-lost brother, instead of
+just his every-day chum; meanwhile muttering all sorts of things, and
+laughing hysterically, in the effort to master his pent-up emotion.
+
+Felix was almost as deeply affected, and it was then and there that he
+learned just how dear Tom had become to him during the comparatively
+short time they had been comrades.
+
+From beginning to end Tom made him tell the whole story, not omitting a
+single detail; and for an hour Felix held his audience spell-bound by a
+recital of the many queer things that had come his way, since that hour
+when he said goodbye with such a light heart, and started off after
+venison.
+
+It was all like a story from a book to Tom. And of course it pleased him
+to hear how the conventional end had been reached, with the two rascals
+captured, the stolen goods restored to their real owner, and the
+criminals bundled off to jail in irons. Why, Tom could not hear enough
+of the details, but kept asking questions, and even turning to the
+Indian boy to find out what his chum could not tell.
+
+"We'll get that buck's head the first thing tomorrow--that is, if you
+feel decent enough for the tramp," he declared, after he had had Felix
+minutely describe the place of the strange encounter, and where he had
+passed his first night.
+
+Of course the other declared that he would be all right, and eager for
+business at the old stand; but the actual truth was, that for several
+days he felt the effects of his series of adventures; and the mark upon
+his cheek was still faintly visible two months later.
+
+All the same, with Jo accompanying them they did go to the tree and
+secure the prized head, as well as what venison was left--some animal had
+been feasting on the latter; but there was still enough left to carry a
+lot away with them, and every mouthful of that meat which Felix
+masticated gave him more or less satisfaction, since he felt that he had
+well earned all that was coming to him in this respect.
+
+Of course the traps had been neglected during all this confusion; and so
+Tom said he would take a run along the entire line that afternoon, in
+order that if any prizes had been captured, the skins might not be
+spoiled by too long an emersion in the water.
+
+Jo started back home after they had had lunch. Both boys noticed with
+some amusement that the boy's last fond look was in the direction of the
+wonderful coffeepot, from whence had come that rich, smooth, fragrant
+nectar that had so tickled his palate; doubtless they would see more of
+Jo while they lingered among the foothills of the Rockies; but they
+would always have their latchstring out for any one who was connected
+with old Charley Crow.
+
+As we already know, Tom had not felt any undue anxiety concerning his
+chum until the hour grew late on that first night. Then he had thought
+to step out, and fire his gun several times; but as Felix had not heard
+the reports, it seemed that he must have been further away than anyone
+suspected; or that the wind was wrong.
+
+In the morning Tom had started out in the direction he supposed Felix
+might be; hoping to come across signs of his friend. But the woods were
+wide, and apparently he could not at any time have come near the place
+where the other had had his adventures.
+
+Returning at nightfall, Tom had hoped he would find the other at the
+dugout, and a keen disappointment awaited him. That night was a restless
+one for him. The second day had been a repetition of the first; and late
+in the afternoon, dispirited and weary, Tom had drawn near the vicinity
+of the shack, when he was electrified to see smoke oozing from the
+chimney.
+
+One thing the incident had surely accomplished, and this was to acquaint
+the boys with the fact, if they had not realized it before, that they
+were unusually fond of each other. In many ways they were unlike; but it
+seemed that what one lacked the other could supply; and in this respect
+they made an ideal team for campmates. The right kind of a cheerful,
+willing and genial comrade, who will wear well in camp, is hard indeed
+to find. It appears that, no matter what a fellow may seem like at home,
+when he lands in the wilderness, the veneer is bound to drop off, and
+the true elements that go to make up his real nature are quickly
+apparent.
+
+After securing the buck's head Felix was content to remain in camp for a
+short time; ostensibly with the idea of "curing" it, so that it might
+ornament his room at home; but to tell the plain, unvarnished truth, the
+boy was still very sore, and until this in a measure wore off, the
+prospects of a long jaunt through the woods and into the mountains
+failed to appeal to him very much.
+
+This feeling began to gradually grow less positive as a couple of days
+passed, and finally there was no longer any excuse to hug the fire-side,
+because the buck's head had been prepared after a fashion that Tom said
+he had never seen beaten.
+
+So Felix fell back into the rut, just as though there had been no break,
+sometimes accompanying his chum in the round of the traps, or doing that
+duty alone; and again going out to look for fresh game, with generally
+the best of success.
+
+Doubtless, as the boy tramped through the snowy woods he sometimes found
+himself starting when he fancied he heard the coarse voices of the two
+unfaithful guides; or it might be a smile, as of amusement, would creep
+over his face when it happened that some particular tree awakened
+memories of the one into which he had been so neatly tossed by the
+wounded buck.
+
+These experiences all go to make up life; and one learns more quickly
+from having passed through such actual performances than by mere
+reading; or even listening to what others may have accomplished,
+pleasant though this may seem. Felix believed he was a much better
+woodsman for having met and boldly faced the difficulties that had been
+spread like a net for his unwary feet on that occasion.
+
+His eye seemed more positive; his nerves firmer; and when he handled his
+rifle, it was with an assurance born of experience, so that his aim was
+apt to be more accurate than before; while a confidence had been aroused
+in his soul that he would not have exchanged for anything he knew of.
+
+So the youngster, upon being tossed into the water by an apparently
+cruel elder brother, and told to swim, upon striking out in desperation
+finds that by moving arms and legs he is able to keep afloat, and even
+make a little clumsy progress; and into his soul springs a pride that is
+never surpassed in later life, even when he wins battles in the business
+arena.
+
+Perhaps the birdling experiences something of the same sensation upon
+being actually pushed from the nest by the wise mother, and discovering
+that by using its wings it can fly a short distance; it is an
+exhilaration never surpassed.
+
+The buck's antlered head certainly did look mighty fine when fastened up
+on the wall of the shack; and Tom vowed that if Old Sol could only be
+there in spirit, he must feel pretty proud to see the walls of his well
+beloved dugout decorated in such a manner.
+
+Of course, with his Marlin, Felix had also recovered all his other
+little traps from the ugly pair, while they were in the hands of the
+game wardens from the Park; so that he again had his little watch, his
+compass and his knife, together with what money they had taken from him,
+and which had tempted the cupidity of the thieving guides.
+
+Realizing what he lacked in using a compass, he now set about studying
+things, under the guidance of his chum, in connection with the woods,
+that would prove useful to him in all time to come.
+
+It was for some time a source of wonder to Tom Tucker why Old Charley
+Crow and his family, although within so short a distance of the dugout,
+had never set a line of traps in that neighborhood. One day, when young
+Jo was visiting them, drawn by memories of that seductive coffeepot,
+they plied him with questions, and thus learned that old Sol had the
+last year he was up here, through the use of certain medicines, of which
+he knew the value, been able to save the life of Mrs. Crow; and in
+gratitude none of the family would ever encroach on his preserves.
+
+They knew that the old trapper had been absent for several years, and
+that game was very abundant over in that direction; but a sort of "dead
+line" had been established, across which none would wander with the
+intention of doing business. Lacking information to the contrary, they
+expected that Sol might show up at any time; and all of them were very
+jealous of having him suspect that they had "poached" on his territory.
+
+When they heard this the boys felt drawn more than ever toward the
+honorable Crow family; and Felix privately declared that when he got
+back home, the first thing he meant to do was to dispatch a case of
+rifles just like his, though of a less expensive pattern, to make those
+good fellows supremely happy.
+
+And so out of evil good many times springs; and as long as they stayed
+there at the foot of the great Rockies, Felix and his chum were likely
+to enjoy friendly intercourse with the dusky family in the cabin not
+many miles away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+BURNING OUT A HONEY THIEF
+
+
+But it seemed that Felix was not destined to absorb all the adventures
+that happened to be adrift up there in that neck of the woods adjoining
+the mountain chain.
+
+And the next one had to fall to the lot of Tom. It was such an admixture
+of peril and humor, that whenever either of the chums happened to glance
+up at the wall of the cabin, where the wretched looking pelt of a black
+bear was stretched, almost invariably a grin would have to follow.
+
+This is the way it came about:
+
+Just a few days after Felix had been in that queer mix-up with the
+wounded buck, and the two guides, Tom was on his way back from a little
+line of traps, when the notion came to him to step aside from his beaten
+path, and explore a dense patch of timber into which neither of them had
+happened thus far to stroll.
+
+There was no telling what he might not discover, for it certainly looked
+dark and forbidding enough to shelter almost anything. As his catch of
+furs that day chanced to be limited to a couple of muskrats, and a
+single mink, Tom was just in the humor for striking at something out of
+the common.
+
+He hung the pelts from the limb of a tree, and in plain sight, so that
+he might not have any particular difficulty about recovering the same;
+and with his rifle in readiness, plunged into the tangled growth, which
+was thicker than anything Tom had noticed around them.
+
+Progress was rather slow, for he had to pass around many obstacles, so
+dense was the vegetation in this low lying spot adjoining the marshy
+tract where he found the muskrat colony. There was a sense of pleasure,
+however, in peering around, not knowing at what minute a fleet doe might
+jump up before him.
+
+To his surprise, and also a little to his chagrin, the tempting place
+did not appear to harbor any sort of game whatever. But then Tom was
+enough of a sportsman to know that such often proves the case; the
+likely spots turn out good for nothing; while, when least expected, luck
+often springs upon the unwary.
+
+Only one thing caught his attention in making his way along, that seemed
+worth a second thought. Stooping down in the heart of the dense growth,
+Tom picked something up, which he proceeded to examine with increasing
+interest.
+
+It seemed to be a piece of comb from the honey store of a wild colony of
+bees, such as are found in nearly every section of the country south of
+a certain belt, beyond which the winters are too severe for the busy
+little insects.
+
+Now, Tom had at some time in the past been in the company of a man who
+had once made a living, far away in New England, gathering wild honey,
+spruce gum, and many other products of the Maine pine woods. The subject
+had interested the boy exceedingly, and he had asked many questions
+relating to it, that brought him quite a store of information.
+
+Just the sight and smell of this old piece of comb aroused within him an
+eager desire to discover just where it came from. If only he could bring
+home a pail of delicious honey, what would Felix say? Why, his mouth
+began to water at the very thought of such a delightful accession to
+their larder. Think of dripping sweetness flowing over the fine
+flapjacks Felix liked to make, and in which he really excelled!
+
+That was too much for Tom. He just couldn't stand it any longer, but
+resolved that since game refused to spring up before his rifle, he would
+forget all about hunting; save that somewhere in this thicket growth
+there evidently lay a bee tree, fairly groaning with richness; and which
+he was resolved to find, if it lay in his power to do so.
+
+He looked up, but could see no sign near him indicating that bees had a
+hive in any tree; in fact there was none of a suitable size right there.
+
+Tom shrewdly guessed the truth. He knew that black bears have a sweet
+tooth; and will go miles to rob a bee tree. The stings of thousands of
+the little insects do not appear to bother Bruin a particle; perhaps he
+is immune to the poison they inject; or else most of them fail to reach
+his skin, on account of the thick hair.
+
+Apparently, then, some thief of a bear was periodically robbing this
+secret storehouse of its sweets, and had dragged this comb away with him
+on a recent visit.
+
+The comb, while somewhat discolored, had not been drained of its nectar
+more than a few days, Tom thought. That would seem to indicate that the
+hive could not be very far away. If he could only find it, with an axe
+he might soon fell the tree in which it was secreted, and then take toll
+of the preserves.
+
+Every tree around came under his observation, and was only allowed to
+pass after he had surveyed its entire trunk, and become convinced that
+it had no hollow part in which a colony of busy workers might find a
+home for the winter's sleep.
+
+And now that he was upon the subject of bear, he remembered that only a
+couple of days back he had himself seen signs of such an animal in the
+woods, and wondered how it came that a black, usually hibernating at
+this time of year, chanced to be moving around.
+
+This explained it. Bruin had made a late discovery, and his appetite for
+sweet things would not allow him to shut himself up until "the last horn
+blew."
+
+And perhaps, if he could find the bee tree, he might also get track of
+the bear, since it would be difficult to divorce the animal from so
+dainty a morsel, once he had found how to get at the hive.
+
+So Tom kept up his search, all the time hoping to make a pleasing
+discovery that would make his chum's eye dance, and add a pleasing
+variety to their meals.
+
+He had spent half an hour in this vain hunt when he came upon a tree
+that seemed to offer possibilities; for it had a big cavity, and there
+was more or less of a chance that some of its larger limbs were also
+hollow. It is this kind that appears to be the favorite lodgment of the
+bees after swarming from some other hive that is overcrowded; a place
+where they can grow indefinitely, and lay up an increasing store with
+each successive summer.
+
+A ton of honey has sometimes been gathered from a single bee tree; much
+of it too old and discolored to be of much good but showing that the
+little workers never know when they have enough for their winter use.
+
+Tom became so impressed with the possibilities of this particular tree
+that he determined to climb up its trunk and investigate at close range.
+
+Of course, in order to ascend, he was compelled to lay his rifle on the
+ground, as he would surely need both hands to draw himself upward.
+Perhaps at the time Tom may have remembered the strange experience of
+his chum, Felix, while held unarmed in a tree, by the wounded buck; but
+if so, Tom did not dream of allowing such an idea to deter him in the
+least. Who could imagine any trouble springing from such an apparently
+innocent amusement as climbing a tree to see if any of its limbs being
+hollow might shelter a swarm of bees, with their golden brown store of
+honey? And besides, a rifle is not often used to shoot such small game,
+Tom remembered with a chuckle.
+
+Once among the branches, he had little difficulty in climbing aloft; and
+was soon going about his business of examining the various limbs that
+seemed to promise a hope of containing the treasure house he sought.
+
+He must have passed the hole in the trunk while climbing up the other
+side, for otherwise such keen eyes as Tom Tucker possessed would surely
+have noticed certain scratches calculated to arouse his suspicions.
+
+One by one the limbs were looked over, and dismissed from the list of
+possibilities, until there remained only a small opening in the main
+trunk, about twenty feet above his head.
+
+Without much hope of finding what he sought there, Tom climbed
+laboriously upward to this point, just about to give over the quest; he
+could not discover any signs that would indicate the presence of a
+swarm; and yet, as he placed his ear to this last opening, it seemed to
+him that he could catch a faint buzzing sound from within that excited
+new hopes.
+
+He examined the trunk up and down, but there was certainly no chance of
+finding the anticipated hive further aloft; and if in the tree at all,
+it apparently must be down further.
+
+The cavity beside him seemed to extend some distance downward; indeed,
+Tom was now of the opinion that it must connect with the larger opening
+he remembered having seen when on the ground, and which had slipped his
+attention when climbing. On his way back he must certainly take a look
+in there; meanwhile he would like to know positively that the bees were
+not snugly ensconced in the upper trunk near this minor gash; and as an
+idea flashed into his mind, without a second thought he set about
+carrying it into practice.
+
+Taking a piece of oiled rag from the pocket of his khaki canvas hunting
+coat, which he was wearing at the time over his sweater and vest, he
+ignited it with a match, and immediately dropped this into the opening;
+holding back to see whether even a solitary bee made its appearance,
+since that would tell the story.
+
+And Tom immediately became aware of the fact that there was certainly
+_something_ going on inside that tree trunk. At first the boy found
+himself thinking that he stirred up the biggest bees' nest ever heard
+of; for from what at first seemed to be a simple buzzing, there grew a
+rumbling that kept on increasing, until it was simply astounding; and
+Tom hardly knew what to make of it all, as he hung there to the side of
+the tree trunk, looking downward.
+
+The next thing he saw was smoke puffing out of where he knew the big
+opening lay.
+
+"Hello!" he exclaimed, with mingled astonishment and amusement; "I did
+more than I expected, I reckon, and set the old buster afire inside.
+Say, she must have been as dry as tinder, to catch like that. Perhaps
+it's the fire making all that racket--no it ain't, either, for I never
+heard a burning tree make a noise like that. Sounds like growls, too--by
+George, it _is_ growls, and I just bet you I've struck the snuggery of
+Mr. Bear first pop!"
+
+The idea was so surprising that Tom just clung there, and stared with
+wide-open eyes at the opening below, from whence welled those strange
+sounds; together with various little wisps of smoke that seemed to be
+getting stronger as they ascended.
+
+By and by the boy sniffed at this smoke, and as he did so he gave vent
+to another exclamation as if to voice his wonder, while something like a
+broad grin decorated his face.
+
+"Burning hair, as sure as you live!" he exclaimed. "Bless me, if I don't
+think the old critter must be on fire; that oiled rag lit on his back,
+and took hold!"
+
+Even as Tom gave vent to this startling opinion something appeared at
+the opening below; something that speedily resolved itself into a
+smouldering black bear, that looked both scared and angry as he backed
+out of his den, snapping at various parts of his fat body, where the
+fire had touched most severely.
+
+If Tom had been able to restrain his loud and scornful laughter, in all
+probability Bruin would have scrambled down from the tree, and ambled
+off; or else rolled in the snow to cool his scorched body; but the sight
+seemed so very comical that the boy burst into a shout.
+
+He was immediately sorry for doing so.
+
+The singed bear twisted his head when in the act of lowering himself
+stern first, and caught sight of his human enemy above.
+
+Somehow the sight of the boy seemed to completely alter the animal's
+plans; and instead of showing fear, he now gave evidence of extreme
+anger, just as though he might be able to figure out some connection
+between the presence of that biped in his tree, and the suffering he was
+even then undergoing.
+
+He showed his teeth in a vicious growl.
+
+"Go on down, old man!" called out Tom, waving his hand; "the walking's
+fine. Besides, there's nothing for you up here. I'm not hankering for
+company, I tell you. So just skip out, please--do you hear, you beggar?"
+and Tom ended with a shout; for, to his consternation, the singed bear
+had commenced to ascend the tree again, evidently with the intention of
+trying conclusions with this enemy who had hurt him so grievously.
+
+Tom did not exactly like the looks of things just about then.
+
+There, he was, above the ground some forty feet, with an enraged bear
+climbing in his direction, and evidently bent on mischief. It was too
+great a distance to be covered in a jump, since the ground was frozen
+and hard, so that a broken ankle might be the result. To ascend further
+would mean that he must soon be chased to the very pinnacle of the tree,
+with Bruin close after, bent on clutching him with his sharp claws, and
+teaching him a lesson in politeness.
+
+Whatever he expected to do must be started quickly, for the animal was
+getting closer all the time. If he only had a good long pole; or even a
+stout club, Tom believed he might poke the brute so furiously that he
+would conclude to give over his attempt to close with the boy who had
+laughed so heartlessly over his misfortunes, though Tom was doing so no
+longer, it might be noticed.
+
+But he might just as well wish for his rifle, lying there so temptingly
+on the ground; it would be impossible to twist off a branch large
+enough, and reduce it to the proper consistency in time to meet the
+bear's attack.
+
+Tom, as the bear came close, began to move out on a limb, wondering
+whether the animal would really follow after him. That doubt was
+speedily removed, for Bruin never so much as hesitated, though he came
+with extreme caution, feeling his way, step by step, suspicious lest he
+were being led into a trap.
+
+It seemed to Tom, however, that if any one appeared to be in a trap,
+that individual must be himself. With each foot that he crept out on
+that bending limb, he felt that his chances for escaping those cruel
+claws in an encounter with their angry owner grew less and less.
+
+Suppose the limb should break under their combined weight, it would be a
+serious thing to go tumbling down fully forty feet, in company with the
+fat, hairy monster; possibly to be clasped in his embrace after landing.
+Of course, if he could only be sure of alighting on Bruin when the
+collision came, it would not seem so bad; but that was only one chance
+in ten; and on the other hand the miserable beast might drop squarely
+upon him, which would be completing the tragedy.
+
+One thing Tom noticed was, that the further out on the limb he crawled
+the more it sagged, so that he was even now close to the outcropping
+branches below; and the daring thought flashed through his brain that
+possibly he might suddenly let go his hold above, and by a show of
+dexterity, succeed in securing a new grip as he fell!
+
+That would be leaving Bruin in the lurch nicely; for not daring to trust
+his cumbersome body to do likewise he would have to hedge back to the
+trunk, an operation taking time; and then descend in the ordinary way.
+
+Meanwhile Tom could be slipping down the balance of the tree with the
+speed, that, in his boyish vernacular, he called "greased lightning,"
+and when the bear arrived later on, he would find himself up against a
+snag in that always dependable rifle.
+
+There was really no other course left open to him, and hence Tom felt
+bound to take the chances, such as they were.
+
+He was naturally agile, and his muscles accustomed to hardy exercise; so
+that after all, it was not such a tremendously difficult task, slipping
+dextrously down the outside of that limb, and clutching hold of the next
+one as he reached it.
+
+Tom half expected to see the bear go plunging downward, as the limb,
+relieved of the boy weight, must have been violently agitated; but
+apparently the animal knew just how to crouch there, and hold on.
+
+A single look upward showed Tom this, and also that the bear was already
+commencing to edge cautiously backward, moving one foot gingerly at a
+time, just as Tom had seen a domestic cat do when after a sparrow in a
+tree.
+
+Undoubtedly that must have been the strangest way in which Tom Tucker
+ever came down a tree; just as the ascension of Felix had shattered all
+records. While his movements were certainly pretty rapid, he managed to
+carry himself so dextrously that, save for a number of small scratches,
+mostly along his wrists that did not count for anything, he presently
+reached the ground, none the worse for his remarkable experience.
+
+By this time Bruin had succeeded in backing along the limb, and reaching
+the body of the tree, down which he commenced to pass, with an eye to
+business. Hence, Tom knew that he had no time to waste, if he meant to
+hold the advantage that his slide had given him.
+
+Three bounds took him over to where his rifle lay, and snatching this
+weapon up, he was quickly back again at the base of the tree. After that
+it was just a picnic--that is, for Tom; what the bear thought no one ever
+bothered trying to find out.
+
+The boy even felt a little compassion for the poor beast that was so
+rudely disturbed in the very beginning of his long winter nap, by having
+his house take fire; and upon crawling hastily forth, had the double
+aggravation of finding himself laughed at by a cruel two-legged foe; and
+when he sought to punish such liberties it would be to have a queer
+stick poked at his head, and hear a terrible bang that ended his earthly
+career.
+
+But to tell the truth it was bear steaks that animated Tom now; for he
+realized that as a piece of marketable fur that sadly singed hide of
+Bruin would not pay for the trouble of taking it off.
+
+He believed that the bear was both fat and rather young, and these
+considerations outweighed any compunction he might feel, as the animal
+kept coming closer to him.
+
+Several times the bear stopped to look down at the human enemy waiting
+so confidently for him below; and it would seem as though some intuition
+must have warned Bruin that he could expect nothing less than trouble
+from that source; but to descend seemed to be the only thing left him,
+since his late den was now burning in a way that promised the complete
+destruction of the tree in due time.
+
+And so the beast again started downward, growling ferociously; but now
+more in the expectation that such fierceness might frighten the hunter
+away from his post, than because of a genuine desire to come into
+contact with him.
+
+However, Tom did not mean to take any unnecessary chances; he had never
+fought a "singed" bear, and hence could not say just how vindictive such
+an animal might turn out to be. So when Bruin was just about down Tom
+thrust out his gun until the muzzle almost touched the beast's small
+head, close to his ear; when he pulled trigger, and there was one less
+live bear in that neck of the woods.
+
+Later on, Tom, following the trail of the marauding bear, did manage to
+discover the bee tree, and upon felling it, secured a bucket full of
+good honey; though he afterwards declared that he had never before heard
+of such a thing being done in the winter season.
+
+Bruin had gotten at all he could easily reach, and had then taken up his
+quarters in the near vicinity; possibly in the hope and expectation that
+when spring came around, and the dormant bees awoke to new activity, he
+would be on hand to start a fresh campaign, in the hope of another rich
+feast.
+
+He had not calculated upon the coming of Tom Tucker; and the discovery
+of that empty comb which he must have tossed contemptuously aside after
+draining its sweet store; so that its finding started the hunter on the
+track that ended in Bruin's downfall.
+
+It was with considerable pleasure that Tom set about the task of
+denuding the honey thief of his singed pelt. He meant to simply keep
+this as a reminder of the strange adventure that had waylaid him on his
+return from the little marsh where the Northern muskrats abounded. But
+the meat was the main thing after all; and none of it must go to feed
+some prowling bobcat or panther.
+
+With the assistance of his chum Tom managed to get every pound worth
+saving to the cabin, and that which could not be immediately used was
+frozen in a secure spot, from which it could not be stolen. Whenever
+their stock became low, all that was necessary, was to go out with the
+axe, and chop a few pounds off, as though it were fuel for the fire.
+
+That account also went down in the log of Felix; for it gave him even
+more amusement than his own story of the buck that had tossed him into
+the tree; he often wished he had a picture of Tom in that tree, with the
+bear reaching out for him; and the boy finally sliding down the outside
+branches with desperate haste.
+
+When Tom brought in that pail of wild honey, and declared they could
+really get all they wanted during their stay in the mountains, Felix
+fairly danced with glee. It just seemed to fill a long-felt want; and
+how delicious it did taste upon the next lot of flapjacks, which, of
+course, had to follow at the succeeding meal.
+
+They ate so heartily, Tom declared that if this kept on, the larder
+would be cleaned out before half the time they had set for their stay in
+the camp were exhausted. But to all this kind of talk Felix turned a
+deaf ear; for when such a magnificent appetite had come to him, building
+up his energies splendidly, it just _had_ to be catered to, regardless,
+even though the two big Crow boys were hired to make the long trip to
+civilization on snow-shoes, perhaps, and "tote" back a fresh supply of
+stuff on a sledge.
+
+One can accomplish almost anything when the pocketbook is well lined,
+especially with where substantials in the woods are concerned; and those
+hardy Indian lads would think little of such a trip through the snow of
+the valleys; indeed, it must seem something along the order of a picnic
+for them, since doubtless they had more than once done the same thing,
+without the inducement of a fat reward, such as Felix would be sure to
+promise them.
+
+It seemed as though adventures were flocking their way thick and fast;
+and the boys could not help wondering what the nature of the next one
+would be like, as they sat in their cozy dugout at night time, and took
+their ease before a roaring fire that made things look so cheery.
+
+All this while Felix had not forgotten the two principal things he had
+in mind when laying out this trip to the Rocky Mountain region.
+
+A grizzly was the height of his ambition, and unless he could manage to
+get such a prize to his credit, all alone and unaided, he would feel
+very much disappointed indeed. And then there was that bighorn
+business--he had heard so much about these strange sheep of the rocky
+heights that he often expressed a wish to try and secure such a splendid
+trophy. Could he see a pair of those curved horns decorating his den at
+home, the boy felt that it would please him more than words could tell.
+
+And Tom, understanding what all this eagerness meant to his comrade, was
+making preparations looking to a start along those lines; he had his eye
+out for signs of the monster that had passed near the cabin on the first
+night of their occupancy, and whose den he believed must be among the
+rocky canyons of the mountains, not half a mile away from the edge of
+the valley where the dugout lay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+HUNTING THE BIGHORN
+
+
+"I've fixed things so that today the traps can take care of themselves,"
+remarked Tom, one morning, as they sat there at the rude table eating
+their breakfast of oatmeal, and coffee, and some biscuits Felix had
+managed to make, using a pan for his oven, and with pretty fair success,
+too, Tom had declared, after making away with his tenth one, covered
+with honey.
+
+Felix looked quickly up at his chum. He could read between the lines,
+and understood that Tom would not have said this unless he had something
+to propose.
+
+"And what were you thinking of doing, then?" he asked, seeing that the
+other was waiting to be questioned.
+
+"Well, I happened to notice yesterday that a little flock of bighorn
+sheep seemed to be feeding in a certain patch away up the face of the
+mountain, where there must be some grass that has been protected so far
+from the freeze; and I was wondering whether you would feel like taking
+a shy at the same, always providing we can climb up to a place within
+gunshot?"
+
+Felix jumped up, as he was really through eating; his eyes danced with
+eagerness, just as Tom anticipated they would.
+
+"Let's start right now," he remarked; whereat the other laughed at him.
+
+"Not a bit of need for hurry," he said; "and I want to make certain
+preparations for the jaunt. It isn't any easy thing, climbing the
+mountains, and especially at this time of year. We may be away all
+night, for all we know, and must dress warm enough for anything like
+that. Besides, we want to make up something to eat; these left-over
+biscuits and some dried venison will just fill the bill. And then
+there's that rope we brought along, because you said we might need it;
+I'll wrap it around my middle, because in mountain climbing a rope is
+sometimes worth its weight ten times over in gold. Fact is, no mountain
+guide over in the Alps would think of starting out for a climb, without
+at least one rope along."
+
+"I guess you're right," replied Felix; "and I'll begin to get things
+moving now. Looks like we might have a decent day, too; which I'm right
+glad to see. I'd hate to be caught up there in a snow storm, with a
+howling wind blowing." And stepping to the door he looked up to where
+the frowning rocky heights could be seen through the partly bare
+branches of the trees of the valley.
+
+Tom would not allow his impatient companion to hurry him in the least.
+He declared that there was plenty of time; and he did not want to forget
+something which they ought to carry, the absence of which might work a
+hardship later on.
+
+But about the time the sun was an hour high showing through the gap to
+the east, the two lads left the old dugout, and headed toward the west,
+where the main ridge arose like a monstrous barrier, shutting them out
+from everything lying beyond, since to cross its snowy peaks was a task
+utterly beyond their ability, even had they ever dreamed of such an
+undertaking.
+
+Later on, when they were really in one of the canyons, Felix began to
+comprehend something of the magnitude and grandeur of the massive
+Rockies. At a distance they had excited his curiosity and interest; but
+once he found himself in their midst, it was a feeling of awe that
+gradually took possession of his soul.
+
+Still, the ambition of a hunter was strong within the Eastern lad; and
+when his companion pointed out to him a certain green spot nearly half
+way to the top of the nearest ridge and told him to notice the moving
+white specks upon it, he realized that these must be the famous
+big-horns feeding.
+
+"However do you expect we're going to get up there?" asked Felix, aghast
+at the prospect of climbing at such a height, which looked something
+formidable to him just then.
+
+"Perhaps we can't do it," replied the other; "but we're going to make a
+jab at the job all the same; and I reckon I know about the best way. I
+haven't been studying the make-up of these mountains, day after day, for
+nothing."
+
+"I'd just depend on it, you've got your plan all laid out," laughed
+Felix. "I never knew you to start into anything without doing that."
+
+"Oh! yes you have," answered the other, chuckling. "When I invaded the
+den of my friend, the black bear, and started to smoke him out without
+even knowing that it was his house, why, I guess I didn't have any plan
+made up beforehand. Any old thing just had to answer; but after all, I
+came out of that scrape better than I deserved, after being so breezy as
+to invite the gentleman to come out and get acquainted."
+
+They started in to climb. Tom, as he said, had figured it pretty well
+all out, and in this way better progress was made than Felix would have
+thought possible.
+
+Sometimes it turned out to be easy enough; and then again, they would
+either have to go around some obstruction, or else make a difficult
+ascent of a small cliff.
+
+When noon came they had ascended a pretty good distance, and Felix saw
+that the green patch was much closer. Indeed, he could easily make out
+the bighorns now, and even counted them several times.
+
+"Seven all told, in sight, Tom?" he remarked. "And I wonder if they'll
+still be there when we get within range, if we ever manage it?"
+
+"If not, we must lie over until tomorrow, and take chances that way,"
+replied the other. "For after going to all this trouble, we must try and
+get a sheep, just for the horns; because the mutton of a big fellow will
+dent your teeth."
+
+"Have you got our route all mapped out above here?" asked Felix.
+
+"Yes; and from now on we must be careful not to let them glimpse us even
+once," returned the Western boy. "I haven't hunted sheep before, but I
+know something of them, and they're mighty suspicious animals."
+
+"I notice that we've got the wind in our faces," continued the other.
+
+"Oh! sure, we couldn't have done the first thing any other way," Tom
+declared, as they once more started off.
+
+An hour later, and Felix was allowed to creep to the edge of a little
+ridge of rock in order to take an observation. He found they had made
+such splendid progress that it almost seemed as though he might try to
+bring down that fellow sporting the massive horns, but then Tom had
+warned him that distances were deceiving up in that clear mountain air,
+and if so, after all he would be apt to make a mess of it should he try.
+
+So once more, then, they had to go creeping along, always keeping out of
+sight of the wary game, yet forever ascending. And still, when Felix
+looked up at the top of the mountain they were climbing, it seemed about
+as far off heavenward as ever, in his eyes.
+
+Later on Tom began to work around more. He believed that they were now
+about as close to the bighorn sheep as they could possibly get; and
+besides, as the afternoon was waning, the animals might at any time take
+a notion to quit their feeding ground, for some other locality, where
+they were in the habit of passing the night; and unless the boys got
+busy shortly, they would have to wait until another day before securing
+the coveted chance for a shot.
+
+Leaving Felix lying in a little hollow, getting his breath after the
+last fierce climb, Tom crept forward. The other saw him gradually raise
+his head, and appear to take a peep over the rocks. Then drawing back,
+he turned and made a motion that meant he wanted his chum to come
+alongside.
+
+Trembling with eagerness, Felix did so. And no sooner had he raised his
+eyes to a level with the line of rock, so that he could look over, than
+he saw a sight calculated to pay him for all the trouble he had been to,
+in order to gain this position.
+
+There were the sheep within the easiest possible gun range, so that it
+would seem as though even a greenhorn could not miss his aim, if he but
+took ordinary precautions.
+
+"Oh!"
+
+It was but the faintest sound, and seemed forced from Felix by the
+closeness of the game; but Tom nudged him in the ribs, as though to
+indicate that even such a whisper must not be indulged in.
+
+There was really no need of saying a word, because, as they climbed, the
+boys had made all the necessary arrangements.
+
+Felix, therefore, knew absolutely that he was to try and take care of
+the buck carrying those massive horns which he envied; while Tom, on his
+part, having his mind bent more on securing some mutton that could be
+eaten without first being chopped into atoms, meant to pick out a
+yearling, or one still younger, provided the flock contained any such.
+
+Nor was that all, for they had arranged a silent code between them,
+looking to the critical moment when they would want to shoot. Tom was to
+give the signal for this, after he had learned that his comrade was all
+ready for business.
+
+And on his part Felix must keep a bead on that big buck.
+
+Perhaps the leader of the flock had some reason to feel suspicious. He
+had ceased browsing on the grass that grew in the little plateau
+sheltered thus far from the cold, and getting all the warmth of the
+sunshine; they could see him standing there as though he might be cut
+out of solid rock, apparently sniffing the air as if in some incredible
+manner he had caught a whiff of danger, even though the wind blew almost
+directly from him toward the spot where the boys lay.
+
+Tom kicked the ankle of his chum twice. That meant he was ready to give
+the word to fire and Felix must be ready to press the trigger of his
+Marlin when he heard the one word that was to be whispered, so the
+Eastern boy nudged an answer with his elbow.
+
+"Now!"
+
+There was a double discharge, Tom firing just after his companion; for
+in his generosity he did not want to precede him, even by the fraction
+of a second, lest this serve to make the patriarch of the flock move,
+and disturb Felix in aiming.
+
+The big buck with the wonderful horns made a leap into the air, and then
+rolled down the slope, falling from the end of the shelf. They could see
+his desperate efforts to cling to the rock at the brink with his
+forefeet; but powerful as he may have been, that deadly ball had sapped
+his strength with its shock; and ten seconds later he vanished from the
+sight of the hunters.
+
+Of course the balance of the flock had bounded off in wild alarm, not
+waiting to see what the fate of their leader might be; all but one,
+which lay there on the green spot, perfectly still. Tom evidently had
+not suffered in his aim because of allowing his chum the first chance to
+pull trigger. As usual he had made a centre shot; and if only they could
+find a way to get across to where the young bighorn lay, there was a
+prospect of some pretty fine eating ahead.
+
+"I got him, didn't I, Tom?" cried Felix, greatly pleased over the result
+of his shot.
+
+"But where d'ye suppose the beggar dropped to, and will we ever be able
+to get to him? I'd just hate awfully to lose those horns, now that I've
+knocked him galley-west. What had we better do, Tom?"
+
+"I'll tell you," replied the other, calmly; for it took considerable to
+excite Tom--an angry bear climbing up a tree after him had been known to
+do the trick all right, though. "First of all, before we try and go down
+after those horns you want, let's see if we can get over to where the
+sheep were grazing. For my part, I've got my mouth set for some mutton,
+when we get home again; and I'd hate to lose what I've shot. It would be
+a wicked waste, that's what."
+
+They began to look around, there being no longer any necessity for
+concealment; and in a short time Tom announced that he believed he saw
+how he might cross over to the little green plateau where the bighorns
+had been feeding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A WAKEFUL NIGHT
+
+
+It required considerable climbing, as well as taking chances, for the
+boys to cross over to where the dead bighorn lay on the green plateau
+which had long been the dining table of the flock, and where they
+undoubtedly felt they were safe from all the ordinary enemies of their
+kind. But in reckoning thus, they knew not of the long range of the
+modern rifle, nor the terrible expanding power of the up-to-date
+softnosed bullet, that mushrooms to three times its original size upon
+striking even the flesh of an animal.
+
+When both of the lads had successfully landed on the plateau it was
+beginning to grow a little dusk. The sun had long since vanished behind
+the great rocky ridge that stood out above them against the sky.
+
+"We'll have to put in a night up here, all right," commented Felix, as
+they arrived at the side of the dead sheep, over which Tom bent eagerly.
+
+"Well, since we prepared for that same thing, it won't be so hard on
+us," replied the Western boy; "and I'm not any disappointed in my game
+either. I don't believe it's a year old even, and I'm only sorry we
+haven't some way to make a fire up here; for a slice or two off this
+chap would go great. Come over this way, and let's see; I've got a dim
+idea I saw a few stunted trees hanging to the face of the rock, where
+there were gaps, and some earth had blown in from time to time. If it
+turns out that way, count on a supper worth while; and that'll go better
+than just cold biscuits and jerked venison."
+
+They had hardly rounded the shoulder of rock mentioned by Tom, than he
+gave vent to a shout of delight.
+
+"There they are, just as I thought;" he remarked; "and now to see what
+we can do about picking up enough fine wood to make a fire. Every scrap
+will count. Look in the crevices, and every which way, for broken
+branches, twigs, and anything that will burn. We've just got to have
+supper, and that's all there is to it, with such bully game on hand!"
+
+Presently Tom found a way to reach the stunted trees himself, and here
+he came upon a regular bonanza in the way of partly dead branches, which
+he kicked off in any way possible, until the boy below declared they had
+more than enough fuel to cook two suppers.
+
+By the time they had selected the nook where a fire would be best
+sheltered from the night wind at that elevated spot, the darkness had
+begun to creep around them.
+
+Below lay a black gulf, for they could no longer see the trees, or
+anything else that in the daytime marked the peaceful valley where they
+had their dugout home.
+
+"We're lucky to have all this wood," remarked Felix, "because, unless I
+miss my guess, it's going to be pretty snappy cold up here tonight, and
+we've got no blankets along."
+
+"Yes, I thought it would come in handy," returned Tom, who was already
+busily engaged cutting up the sheep, so as to have something to eat as
+soon as possible, because the climb, and the cold air of the mountain,
+had made both of the boys fairly ravenous. "And that's why I kept on
+sending down more, after you said three times we had enough. A fire eats
+up a heap of stuff, when you have to keep it going all night in the open
+air."
+
+It was not long before Felix had the blaze going, and he declared that
+it certainly made things look a thousand per cent better. It was a
+dreary place, so far up the side of the mountains; and without that
+cheery blaze the night must have proven one they would never remember
+with any degree of pleasure.
+
+After all, the mutton did taste pretty fine. Even Tom, who being the son
+of a cattle raiser, knew what prime beef meant, said it was very good,
+and well worth all the trouble they had taken to get it.
+
+"But how about those horns?" asked Felix, who could not wholly get his
+mind off the subject that seemed to concern him, even more than the
+supper did; though for that matter he ate his share, and seemed to enjoy
+it. "Do you think we can get down to where my fine old granddaddy buck
+fell?"
+
+"We must, sooner or later, and that's all there is to it," replied Tom.
+"What d'ye suppose we carried that rope along for if not to use it? Make
+your mind easy, you'll have those horns, chances are ten to one."
+
+"Unless some wild animal carries the body away in the night," remarked
+Felix.
+
+"No danger of that, my boy," laughed the other. "Fact is, the only beast
+that is able to do such a thing around here, would be a grizzly; and if
+he does, why, we'll just follow him to his lair, and tackle him. Then
+you'll have a chance to get back the bighorn head-piece, and knock over
+your grizzly, at the same time."
+
+Felix had to smile at this.
+
+"You know how to comfort a fellow all right, Tom," he remarked. "That
+would be sort of climbing up on our reverses, and making them pay a
+profit, wouldn't it? But I'll just try to forget all about the horns
+now, and enjoy the good things we have right here--heat and grub in
+plenty."
+
+They did pass a pleasant evening; and later on, when both of them felt
+like lying down on the rocks to try and get some sleep, the fire was
+arranged so that it might keep going for some hours. Tom expected to be
+up a number of times before dawn could be expected, and promised to take
+care that the blaze did not go entirely out at any hour.
+
+Although Tom did not mention anything about it to his chum, he was a bit
+anxious concerning the state of the weather. That was the one thing that
+had made him hesitate when thinking about pleasing Felix by a climb up
+to the place where the coveted bighorns might be found.
+
+What if a howling storm should swoop down upon them, while they were
+away from the cabin and up here in this elevated eyrie? He knew about
+how fierce a blizzard could rage, once it took a notion to come out of
+the faraway Alaska country. And should such a thing come to pass, the
+boys would be in for an experience before which all others must pale
+into insignificance.
+
+With the bitter cold, there would be snow filling the air, perhaps with
+a fierce wind; so that for several days they would not dare attempt to
+descend into their blessed valley. Could they manage to keep from
+freezing there, in that exposed position, where a change of the wind
+would find them out, and prevent any possibility of keeping a fire
+going, even though they secured fuel to last out, an almost impossible
+feat.
+
+And that was the main reason why Tom hardly slept at all during that
+night. He allowed his chum to get all the rest he could; nor did he envy
+Felix when, up and down almost every hour, he counted the minutes until
+they might see the first peep of dawn away off there in the eastern sky.
+
+It had clouded up, which was one reason why Tom worried, for he thought
+he detected symptoms of a storm in the air.
+
+But as even the longest night must come to an end, so finally Tom was
+heartened when he believed he could detect a little change off toward
+the east, which gradually grew better, until he was sure dawn meant to
+greet them.
+
+So he caused the fire to pick up, and by the time daylight aroused
+Felix, breakfast was all ready for their attention. The fact of the
+matter was, Tom was bent on getting out of that as quickly as possible,
+even though they had to leave the task of recovering those massive horns
+until another day. He had a pretty fair idea with regard to where they
+might have fallen; and it would not be necessary to climb near so high
+up the side of the mountain. And, too, it could be done on a clear,
+promising day.
+
+Felix was disappointed when he heard about the change of plans; but
+being a sensible fellow he quickly agreed with his chum that their first
+consideration must concern their safety. He, too, had been secretly
+fearing lest they find themselves trapped up in that high altitude by
+the coming of foul weather; and so he agreed to let the matter of
+securing his trophy go until later on.
+
+"Tell you what," remarked Tom, as they prepared to depart the same way
+they had come, for that seemed the only means by which a human being
+could leave the elevated plateau, not being able to jump, like the
+bighorn sheep; "tell you what, we can swing around a little, after we
+get down from here, and if it happens that we get sight of your sheep,
+we'll make a try for it."
+
+"That's good of you, Tom," replied the other, warmly; "but remember,
+we're not going to take any extra hazard, just to save those horns. I'd
+like to have them, all right, but a fellow's life is worth much more
+than a trophy."
+
+A few flakes of snow drifted down as they started to leave, and Tom eyed
+the heavens critically.
+
+"You never can tell about this snow business," he declared. "Seems like
+I know when it's going to give us rain, nearly every time; but this
+other fools me. But if we can get down to that next level I'll like it.
+Plenty more protection there; and some chance of getting wood too. Come
+along, and be mighty careful, Felix."
+
+There were one or two places where it looked so risky that Tom insisted
+in fastening the rope to Felix. Then one of them would go at a time,
+while the other braced himself for a shock, which luckily never came;
+afterwards the leading one would take his turn at standing still, while
+the other came on.
+
+All the while those tantalizing flakes drifted slowly down, just as
+though intent on keeping the young bighorn hunters' nerves on edge.
+
+An hour later, and Tom expressed himself as delighted, because they had
+managed to reach the lower level. Now, even though the storm did descend
+upon them, he believed they would have a chance to keep on down into the
+valley; for the most dangerous rocky heights had been left behind.
+
+Felix had not noticed how his chum was heading, and hence was surprised
+to hear Tom suddenly call out:
+
+"Here it is, all right; been no grizzly around, you see, Felix!"
+
+"My old buck, and with not a notch taken out of his grand curved horns!"
+cried the other, as he saw what his chum was pointing at, just ahead.
+
+Tom set to work to get the trophies. He could not make the fine job of
+it such as he always liked to carry out; because the flakes seemed to be
+getting more numerous now, and evidently the storm was becoming tired of
+holding back, just to accommodate them.
+
+"I can fix 'em up in apple-pie shape after we get home," he remarked;
+and Felix had no difficulty in forgiving him; because just then he
+believed that it would be a good thing to be quartered once again under
+the roof of the dugout, where he could find a peaceful bed, after a
+night on the hard, unyielding rocks.
+
+It was, of course, no child's play, clambering down all sorts of
+slippery places, burdened, as the boys were, with the meat of the young
+big-horn, and the heavy head piece of the patriarch of the flock; but
+save for a few minor accidents that did not amount to anything beyond
+some scratches, they managed to finally reach the valley.
+
+By that time, however, it was snowing heavily, and the wind seemed to be
+rising; for while the mountains were entirely concealed from their view,
+they could hear it beginning to whistle around the ledges and cliffs
+that had marked their line of descent.
+
+And when, later, the boys staggered up to the dugout, it was with a
+sense of deepest satisfaction; now let the storm howl, since they were
+assured of shelter, food and warmth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+OUT FOR A GRIZZLY
+
+
+After all, the storm did not last more than a few hours. As Tom had
+declared, no one could ever predict what a snow storm was going to
+amount to. The boys, however, were just as well pleased that they
+managed to get safely housed before the coming of another night. And as
+they sat by their fire, when supper had been disposed of, Felix
+mentioned the fact that he could imagine how it must feel to be snow
+bound in a dreary place like that elevated plateau, with the prospect
+ahead of perhaps a week of fighting the cold wind to keep from freezing.
+
+He was busily engaged in working upon the bighorn trophy. And it gave
+him more satisfaction than he could tell, just to know that he had
+secured such a magnificent trophy unaided. Every time he glanced up at
+it, when upon the wall at home, he would doubtless remember that
+mountain climb, and the camp under the ledge of rock.
+
+"I've got something to tell you," remarked Tom, with a smile; "only
+before I open up I want you to promise not to try and hurry me; because,
+you see, I've got a lot of traps out, and they have to be attended to
+properly, or else I quit the business."
+
+"Oh!" replied Felix, "I give you my promise, all right. Now, what are
+you going to tell me? Haven't found a wolf's den, have you, with some
+cubs in it? Perhaps, now, you've sighted one of those rare black foxes,
+that they say are worth all the way from seven hundred up to several
+thousand dollars a pelt! That would be fine news, wouldn't it, now?"
+
+"Yes, if we needed the money, which I take it we neither of us do,"
+replied Tom. "But this doesn't concern either a wolf's den, or the
+trading place of a silver fox. Can't you think of something else that
+has been on your mind more or less for a long time back?"
+
+"Looky here, Tom, do you mean a grizzly?" demanded Felix, his face
+lighting up with eagerness and expectation.
+
+The other just nodded his head.
+
+"Then you've found out where he lives, when he's at home?" Felix went
+on.
+
+"I think I have, anyhow, Felix."
+
+"But you haven't said a word to me about it; how long have you known?"
+demanded the other, reproachfully.
+
+"Let's see; we've been home here just ten hours, haven't we; well, call
+it about eleven, then; that would cover it," said Tom, with a chuckle.
+
+"Oh! then you made the discovery while we were coming down the mountain;
+is that it, Tom?" Felix asked.
+
+"Just what it is," replied his chum.
+
+"Go on, and tell me about it; what did you see, the marks of his claws;
+or had he thrown a lot of bones out of his old den, to make room? Which
+was it, Tom?"
+
+"Neither one, it happens," was the reply Tom made to this. "I just
+chanced to look up, when we were crawling along on our hands and knees
+in a particularly dangerous place, and saw something sticking out from a
+ledge above us, that I quickly recognized as the head of a grizzly!
+Perhaps the old fellow heard us passing, and came to his front door to
+see what the strangers looked like."
+
+"And why didn't you tell me about it, so I could look up too?" asked
+Felix.
+
+"Well, I had several reasons," answered the other, readily enough. "In
+the first place, I didn't dare sing out because, if you slipped just
+then, you stood a pretty good chance of being killed. And by the time we
+both got to where the climbing was safer, he had pulled his nose in out
+of sight. So I just marked that place, and thought I'd keep the news
+until tonight."
+
+"All right; and when you're good and ready, not before, Tom, why, we'll
+pay our respects to Mr. Grizzly Bear."
+
+"H'm! how about the day after tomorrow?" asked Tom.
+
+"Suits me fine; do you really mean it?" asked his chum, eagerly.
+
+"Wind and weather permitting, I think we might chance it, Felix. And
+I'll try and not let him know we're coming. Sort of a surprise party,
+you understand. I only hope the old chap's at home when we knock."
+
+Felix came over, and clapped a hand affectionately on the shoulder of
+his cousin.
+
+"You're the finest chum a fellow ever could have, and that goes," he
+said; "always thinking of doing something to make things move along for
+me. Once I get my grizzly, and after that I'm going to turn around, so
+as to try and fix things for your liking, see if I don't."
+
+"Just as if you ain't always picking out the best flapjack in the lot
+for me; the juiciest piece of meat; the clearest cup of coffee. I guess
+when they started to making chums, they lost the pattern after they had
+you built up, Felix. And it makes me sick to think what a gap there'll
+be in my life after you go back East again."
+
+"But you promised to make me a good long visit soon; and I'm going to
+hold you to your word. After this we've just got to see more or less of
+each other right along. I'm coming out here again, make your mind easy
+to that. Perhaps I'll take a notion to invest in a ranch near you,
+because, you know, my mother left me some money, more than I'll ever
+know what to do with."
+
+"That would be the greatest thing I know of!" cried Tom; "and I'll see
+that you have chances enough, mark me."
+
+And so they chatted on, as each carried his chosen work along; for Tom
+was busy with some of his best pelts, which did not quite look well
+enough to suit his eye, and he thought needed a little further
+manipulation before being tied up.
+
+On the following day Tom cleaned up all work possible with the traps,
+visiting every one that was set, and bringing home quite a bundle of
+fresh skins, which he of course immediately stretched after their kind,
+some cased, and others split open, with the fur side out.
+
+They were accumulating quite a collection of pelts by this time, and
+somehow both boys enjoyed the work very much. If they had had to do it
+for a living, possibly some of the pleasure would soon evaporate; but as
+long as it was just carried on as fun, it did not seem to pall upon
+them.
+
+And sitting there by the fire evenings, they had easily settled what
+they meant to do with the main part of the skins. After picking out what
+they wanted to keep as a reminder of their great time in the foothills
+of the Rockies, they agreed that the balance should be turned over to
+Mrs. Crow, for the benefit of herself and family. As old friends of Sol
+Ten Eyck, they seemed to have first claim on any surplus; and then there
+was something so fine about the way the old halfbreed had kept strictly
+away from that part of the region which he looked on as Sol's preserves,
+that both lads believed he deserved to be rewarded.
+
+"And," Tom Tucker had said, in conclusion, after one of these talks; "as
+Sol will never come up here again, I'm going to make over all he has,
+except the traps he values, and which we're to take home for him, to
+Charley Crow. He can call this shack one of his homes, and trap along
+the little stream where we've found the mink so plentiful."
+
+Felix, on his part, had already thought about those Marlin guns he meant
+to send west as soon as he got home again; and his companion applauded
+the idea when he learned of it.
+
+Tom worked hard that night trying to get everything in shipshape around
+the shack, so that they could take a day off with clear consciences; and
+Felix gave him a helping hand in stretching the many pelts; for with two
+days catch to be taken care of, and all in the faultless manner that
+marked Tom's work, it took considerable time to clean the slate.
+
+But in due time Tom admitted that he could not think of anything else
+that needed attention; so during the balance of the evening they just
+rested.
+
+In the morning they made a few simple preparations looking to the great
+event of the day. What one needs most of all, when about to start out
+after a grizzly, consists of a cool head, steady nerves, and a gun on
+which he can always depend. The harder this latter shoots the better;
+and if he can carry sixteen cartridges in the magazine, it will not be
+too many, for they are about the toughest beasts to kill on the face of
+the earth, barring none. And there have been hunters willing to declare
+that some grizzlies can carry off as much lead, and still live right
+along, as would wind up the earthly career of a dozen lions or tigers.
+
+So about the only thing the boys did was to look their guns over
+carefully, and make sure they had an abundance of ammunition along,
+together with such other things, like matches, hunting knives, and the
+like, as they were accustomed to carrying with them.
+
+The day was everything they could wish; indeed, the weather seemed to be
+doing its best to behave. Felix used to say that it was trying to coax
+him into making another lone trip, so that it could suddenly veer
+around, and show him the other side of the picture. But he was not at
+all anxious to go wandering off again; and while Tom did not joke him
+about the matter, he was of the opinion that the events of that previous
+experience had sunk deeply into the mind of his chum.
+
+Having made all preparations, therefore looking to pushing a vigorous
+campaign against the grizzly, if they were lucky enough to find him
+home, the boys shut the door of the dugout, and departed.
+
+Felix looked back toward the old shack with something like affection.
+
+"We haven't been here very long, Tom," he remarked, "but do you know,
+I've begun to just love that old place. And when I'm far away, perhaps
+at home in the East, let me tell you, many a time I'll just shut my
+eyes, and see it as we do now. Yes, and I'll never hear the crackle of a
+fire but what I'll be sure to picture the two of us sitting there, busy
+at our work."
+
+Tom looked pleased.
+
+"I'm right glad to hear you talk that way, partner," he remarked,
+earnestly, as he too glanced fondly back over his shoulder. "She's a
+homely little old shack, and sure not much to look at; but somehow or
+other she seems to suit me O. K. And when you say you'll always remember
+our days and nights up here in the Rocky Mountain country, you're just
+echoing what's in my mind. I never had a chum like you; and I never
+expect to again. It was a bully good idea that brought you out to visit
+our ranch, the luckiest day in my whole life."
+
+Tom was usually not given very much to sentiment, as his cousin knew;
+and hence, when he did speak his mind after this fashion, it might be
+set down that he meant every word of it.
+
+The subject turned to other points of the compass as they walked
+sturdily on in the direction of the mountain pass. With such glorious
+surroundings there need never be any want of things to talk about. Even
+the grand air that greeted them with the rising of the sun was
+invigorating enough to deserve frequent mention; while the impressive
+scenery by which they were surrounded was surely of a character to evoke
+admiration.
+
+In this manner, then, they presently reached the rougher country that
+lay along the foot of the uplifts. Having come this way before, when
+going upon their bighorn hunt, and also returning from the same, it was
+in a measure familiar to both boys; still, they saw it now under new
+conditions, and discovered many features in the landscape that had
+eluded them on the previous occasion.
+
+"Here we are at the canyon where we came out," said Felix, as they found
+high rocky walls beginning to shut them in on both sides.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE TERROR OF THE ROCKIES
+
+
+"You must know," said Tom, as they climbed over some of the many rocky
+obstacles in the canyon, left there by the last flood, when some
+cloud-burst had perhaps filled it dozens of feet high with a raging
+flood, "that this grizzly bear hunting is different sport from bagging
+an ordinary black."
+
+"I'd always understood that," Felix answered. "You see, I've read a lot
+about the thing, and I'm pretty well posted on that subject. I know that
+the grizzly is the toughest animal in existence, barring none, and that
+many hunters who have shot big game in other parts of the world give him
+the palm, when it comes to being difficult to down."
+
+"And that's why," continued the Western boy, "men who would hardly
+hesitate to openly face a panther, or a pack of wolves, and meet them on
+the level; will even climb a tree when expecting an attack from a full
+grown grizzly; because it is well known that the old fellow can't climb
+worth a cent."
+
+"Yes, I've read even that about him," remarked Felix. "He's sure the
+terror of the Rockies; and the Indians used to always reckon a brave the
+greatest ever, when he could show the claws of a grizzly, and prove that
+he killed the beast in a square stand-up fight."
+
+"Whew! I should say so, Felix. Why, nothing could tempt me to try such a
+fool game as that. When you see what awful claws the old fellow has, and
+the frightful muscle back of them, you'll understand why it's never
+looked on as a piece of cowardice to get up in a tree, and then dare him
+to come on. Chances are even then, that if the tree is only a sapling,
+the bear'll drag it down, and get his man."
+
+"Are you trying to throw a scare into me, Tom?" laughed the other.
+
+"Oh! not at all," replied his cousin; "only I wanted you to know that as
+we're only a couple of boys after all, we had ought to take as much
+precaution as most old hunters would, when out to stalk a grizzly bear."
+
+"That means climb a tree, I take it, eh, Tom?"
+
+"Well, it would be wise; and my father would say it was the right thing
+to do," went on the ranch owner's son, firmly.
+
+Felix frowned, as though there was something in the proposition that
+somehow went against his proud soul. And seeing this, his cousin was
+only the more urgent in his appeal.
+
+"Remember, you promised me that you'd do anything I said in this game,
+Felix!"
+
+"That's right, I did, and I will, Tom; but you don't know how mean it
+makes me feel to think of getting up in a tree, and then daring the bear
+to come on; only to fill him full of lead as he accepts the challenge."
+
+"Oh! I can understand all that, my boy, and it does you credit; but
+after you see that monster at the foot of the tree, stretching himself,
+and shaking it in his mad effort to get at you, after being wounded a
+dozen times, you'll agree with me that anybody would be a fool to try
+and meet such an enemy on equal terms, when, if his rifle missed fire it
+would all be over with him."
+
+"But this rifle never misses fire!" declared Felix. "All the same, I
+suppose I'll have to do it, though under protest. But see here, Tom,
+weren't you telling me just the other night about seeing some of your
+dad's cow punchers having a bully old time throwing ropes over a grizzly
+that was caught on the open, and badgering the old fellow every which
+way, before they pumped him full of lead? How does that agree with what
+you're saying now? Are cowboys braver than old hunters, that they take
+such chances?"
+
+"Well, you must know that every one of us was mounted on a fleet pony;
+and that though the bear chased after us in every direction, he couldn't
+catch up. Then they got their ropes to flying, and he was rattled, so
+that before you could count fifty he had as many as four lariats holding
+him. When he tried to go one way he was dragged over by the other three
+ropes. And when they had had all the fun they wanted, they shot the old
+Mountain Charlie. Oh! no, a cowboy on his bronco is a different sort of
+a fellow from the time he's afoot. You just bet he couldn't climb up in
+a tree any too fast, if ever he met with a grizzly, and wounded him,
+when in the mountains."
+
+"Oh! well, that makes it easier for me, I suppose," said the reluctant
+Felix; "but all the same it galls some."
+
+"I don't see why it should," remarked Tom. "Just look back a little, and
+you'll see me taking a mean and cowardly advantage of that black I got,
+stepping up when he was sliding down that tree, and shooting him while
+his back was turned, so to speak."
+
+Then Felix laughed a little, as though he might be convinced.
+
+"I guess you're right, Tom," he observed. "It just occurred to me that
+when the wounded buck had me held up in the tree a prisoner, I was only
+too glad to fish up my Marlin, and give him his dose. Of course I didn't
+climb that tree in the beginning; he tossed me up there."
+
+"Well, I don't suppose you could induce the grizzly to try that same
+thing; but if he did, you'd think it all right then to plug him, would
+you? I rather guess it don't amount to much difference after all, Felix,
+whether you climb first, or get pushed up a tree. The whole fact of the
+matter is, that a man isn't in the same class as a big buck or a wounded
+grizzly, when it comes to muscle; and he's just got to fall back on
+guns, and trees, and such, to even things up."
+
+"Consider it settled then, Tom; I'll climb," concluded the Eastern boy;
+and with this his chum seemed content.
+
+They were getting deeper into the mountains all the while, and Felix
+could even see where they had started to climb when heading upwards on
+that other occasion at the time they went after bighorns.
+
+And Tom led the way over some of the same ground. It was more familiar
+to them now, and they did not have the same difficulty as before.
+Indeed, Felix remembered in many instances just where to place his foot;
+or to reach up and seize on a projecting knob in order to pull himself
+upward.
+
+He began to look curiously ahead, wondering just where it could be that
+Tom had sighted the head of the grizzly thrust out, as the animal
+surveyed the descending hunters, who were bearing fresh meat. Indeed, he
+really wondered why Bruin had not seen fit to follow after the scent,
+and make them drop their packs, or else fight for the spoils on the
+spot. Tom, upon being asked declared that ordinarily such might have
+been the programme of a grizzly, that fears nothing under the sun, in
+either the human or the animal kingdom; but that possibly His Majesty,
+as he called the beast, may have recently dined; and when one has no
+appetite, it seems the part of folly to go to any extraordinary exertion
+to secure food.
+
+"But he may be on edge today, just the same," he added, after giving
+this information in answer to the question of his cousin.
+
+"I hope so," replied Felix. "If I just do have to climb a tree, and ask
+a bear to step up and be shot, I want to see him at his worst. That's
+the only thing to give me an easy conscience."
+
+Tom only smiled.
+
+He had a pretty good idea some of these gallant notions would undergo a
+decided change in his chum before they were done with this business.
+
+Five minutes later he remarked quietly:
+
+"We're nearly there, Felix. Hold up a bit, and get your breath. Look up,
+and see if you can notice where that seam in the rocks has a black
+look."
+
+"Oh! I get that, all right, Tom; is there where you saw his head
+sticking out?"
+
+"That's the place; and chances are we'll find a regular trail leading up
+to the mouth of the den. What I'm going to look for the first thing is
+the tree. In hunting a grizzly that's an important part of the game;
+unless you happen to have a gully in front, that no bear could cross
+over. I've known of a good many hunters coming out here to get the hide
+of a grizzly; and they told my father that while the idea of doing such
+a thing struck them at first as cowardly, after they'd had a look at the
+monster they meant to tackle, the only thing that bothered them then was
+about the size of the tree. It seemed to them that they wanted one as
+tall as the redwoods in California."
+
+Felix chuckled at this, but made no further remark. He had noticed that
+Tom no longer talked in his natural voice, but whispered. Even this
+circumstance seemed to add more or less to the gravity of the occasion.
+It told of hovering danger, and the need of ordinary caution, if they
+did not want to arouse the sleeping dragon, and have him rushing wildly
+out to assail them, before they were good and ready to give him a warm
+reception.
+
+Tom kept on looking carefully around him every chance he got, as they
+pushed on slowly. Felix knew the wisdom of this, and that he would be
+doing the right thing to also get his surroundings firmly fixed in his
+mind, before the grand circus began. There could be no telling how much
+need of this there might be before the little mountain drama closed in
+the death of the bear.
+
+He discovered in the first place that there was an occasional tree in
+sight, not of any great size, but with a trunk that would baffle any
+ordinary animal to bend down, Felix thought.
+
+As the grizzly could not climb, a perch in one of these would place the
+hunters out of danger, and they could proceed to accomplish their work
+as they felt inclined.
+
+How the bear was to be coaxed out, and to the tree, Felix of course did
+not as yet know; but he was quite willing to leave this to his chum. Tom
+understood all about the ways of grizzlies; he had heard them discussed
+since childhood, and seen many of the species brought in by hunters; for
+since they are a serious menace to the raising of cattle, there is a
+price on the head of every grizzly known to have his haunt within miles
+of a ranch.
+
+Tom was moving about now, and appeared to be scanning the rock at his
+feet eagerly. Undoubtedly he was looking for the well worn trail which,
+he had told his chum, he expected to discover, leading upward toward
+that dark spot in the rocky wall, where, according to his figuring, the
+animal's den had its yawning mouth, although as yet they had not
+actually looked into it.
+
+So Felix stood there, waiting, and holding his gun in his hands,
+wondering what he might be expected to do should the grizzly appear
+unexpectedly from some other quarter, heading toward his den.
+
+And possibly because Tom had impressed the necessity of a tree so
+strongly on his mind Felix even made sure that there was one of these
+growing close at hand which he believed might be scaled in a hurry if
+there arose any need.
+
+He saw that his companion was now examining the ground more closely than
+ever; and there was that about his manner to tell that he must have made
+a discovery of some sort.
+
+A few seconds later the Western lad arose to his feet, and his face
+shone with satisfaction as he turned toward his friend.
+
+"It's here, just as I said, Felix," he whispered; "and from the signs
+I'm pretty sure the old fellow is right now squatted in his den. Things
+look all right to me, and the next thing is to coax him out. Like you, I
+only hope he's hungry; but no matter whether he is or not, he's just got
+to come, and that's all there is to it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+WHEN MUSIC WAS PLAYED OUT
+
+
+Like a general arranging his plan of campaign, so Tom looked around him,
+up at the place where the den of the monster was believed to be, and
+then in search of the available tree.
+
+"That's where we ought to perch," he remarked, pointing to a spot close
+by. "We can each have a tree, which is really better than both getting
+up in the same one; for while he's trying to get at me, you can pump him
+full of lead. I'm only going to dip in here in a case of necessity,
+because I want you to say you got him all by yourself."
+
+"Up a tree," muttered Felix, disconsolately; but his chum paid no
+attention to the half protest, being satisfied that time would vindicate
+his course.
+
+"Now, there are some trees up yonder, closer to the den, and they would
+answer in a pinch, if we had to run for it," Tom went on to remark.
+
+"I don't just get on to what you mean," remarked the other; "I thought
+you expected to climb up, fix a comfortable seat, and then ask him to
+step out, and get acquainted."
+
+"But perhaps he won't come," retorted Tom. "You never can tell about
+these grizzlies. Some days they're ready to just rush out, and tackle a
+whole army. Then again they have to be nearly dragged out, they're so
+full, and so lazy. But once you get 'em stirred up, they're always the
+fiercest ever."
+
+"Do you expect to go up there, then, and have a look in?" asked Felix.
+
+"We might have to, if he won't come when we start to shouting," answered
+the other. "Let us only get a peek at his nose, so you can touch him up,
+and I give you my word there won't be any trouble about coaxing him.
+You'll hear a roar that'll just about make your blood run cold, and then
+we've got a fight on our hands you'll never forget."
+
+"But see here, Tom," urged Felix, "suppose, now, we go up there poking
+around and just when we're in a fix where we can't back down, the old
+rascal heaves in sight down the trail. He'd have us in a lovely hole
+now, wouldn't he? Then I guess we'd have to make it a stand-up fight.
+Trees wouldn't figure in it that time, eh?"
+
+"But I'm dead sure he's in his den," declared the other.
+
+"How d'ye make that out, Tom?"
+
+"Why, see here, there's some dirt where he goes up and down. You can see
+that he's just worn a path with the many times he's gone in and out.
+Now, look close, and I can show you several prints of his big feet, with
+the claw marks sticking out ahead. And they all point _toward_ the den,
+showing that the most recent tracks are the ones he made going in! Get
+that, Felix?"
+
+"Sure I do; and I must say it looks just as you figure it all out, Tom;
+and if that's the case, our old chap is at home, all right."
+
+"Then let's move up closer," said the other. "On the whole, I reckon
+we'll use the trees that lie up yonder. We can see into his hole from
+there, which we couldn't do down here."
+
+They started to advance, slowly and cautiously, keeping a wary eye up in
+the quarter where danger lay. But nothing occurred to give them a start,
+and presently the boys had reached a point where they could see that Tom
+had hit the truth when he said the dark spot on the face of the cliff's
+base must be the entrance to the grizzly's den.
+
+"That's where he enters, is it?" said Felix, looking closely at the
+aperture that simply yawned darkly before them, with the rock hanging
+overhead.
+
+"Yes," Tom replied; "when he heard us talking, that other time, he must
+have walked over to this spot, where he could poke out his head, and
+look down."
+
+"You don't see anything of him around, do you, Tom."
+
+"Never a sign," came the answer. "Chances are, he's fast asleep inside."
+
+"And now, do we pick out our trees, and squat in them waiting, for him
+to show up?"
+
+"We'll see if a little music will coax the old gentleman to show his
+nose. Which tree do you want, Felix?"
+
+"Don't see much choice between them; but I suppose I might as well take
+this, because it seems to be a trifle closer to the den than the other,"
+replied the boy from the East, indicating his selection.
+
+"But it's smaller in the bargain," complained Tom; "don't you think
+you'd better let me have that one?"
+
+For answer the other commenced to climb; and as there was nothing else
+to be done Tom followed suit. He knew that Felix had a stubborn streak
+in his make-up; and in fact he liked him all the better for it, because,
+without such spice, in Tom's mind, a fellow would be like cake without
+the ginger in it, flat and commonplace.
+
+"Well, here we are," commented Felix, after he had fixed himself
+comfortably, and raised his rifle to his shoulder several times, as
+though wishing to make certain that he could cover any advancing enemy
+without difficulty.
+
+"How does it suit you?" asked Tom, grinning.
+
+"Oh! I've sat on worse seats, one of 'em a wasps' nest," replied Felix.
+
+"All right. Now, what'll we sing?" continued the other.
+
+"Sing?" echoed Felix.
+
+"Yes, to coax our grizzly to look out. Strike up any old song you like,
+and if I happen to know it, I'll join in; I can do that anyhow, because
+our audience ain't going to be particular. Fact is, the worst noise we
+make, the more chance of his coming out in a bad temper."
+
+"All right, just as you say, Tom," laughed Felix, falling in with the
+humor of the idea.
+
+Accordingly, Felix began to sing some school song, at the top of his
+voice, and his chum joined in with a pretty good bass. They went clean
+through with a verse, and roared out the chorus in good style, although
+Felix was laughing so hard at the end that the effect was terrific.
+
+"If he can stand that howl, he's equal to anything," the latter
+remarked, as they finished; "see any signs of our friend yet, Tom?"
+
+"Sorry to say I don't," replied the other; "though that ought to have
+fetched him hurrying out, to see what lunatic asylum had broken loose.
+Hit up another verse, my boy, and give him all the variations you can."
+
+So they went through with it, yet there was not the first sign of the
+grizzly.
+
+"That's queer," remarked Tom, when after they had completed their duet,
+not a single thing occurred; only the gaping mouth of the den mocked
+them, with vacancy behind it.
+
+"Don't fancy the tune, perhaps?" suggested Felix, humorously.
+
+"That might be so. The old fellow might have his favorites. Can you give
+him a change, Felix, something more solemn like. He must have a weak
+spot, if only we could hit on it. Strike up 'Plunged in a Gulf of Deep
+Despair,' or something that thrills you the same way."
+
+Accordingly, as he liked to be obliging, and the situation appealed to
+his fine sense of humor, Felix did start a song that sounded very much
+like the "Dead March of Saul." Tom added all the touches possible; and
+had anybody chanced to be in the vicinity he must have thought he had
+struck a camp meeting.
+
+"How's that?" asked Felix, when they had finished.
+
+"Simply elegant, take it from me. Queer that we haven't thought to sing
+a little while we sat around the blazing fire nights," declared Tom.
+
+"Well, if we did much of that sort of thing, we'd soon go hungry, Tom."
+
+"Think so?" chuckled the other.
+
+"Every animal would take to its heels, and never come within miles of
+our shack again," asserted Felix.
+
+"Strikes me it don't seem to have any effect on _one_ animal I know of,
+and that's our big friend in the hole yonder," Tom declared.
+
+"Perhaps after all he isn't at home," his chum remarked.
+
+"I'm dead sure he is, in spite of the fact that he doesn't show up,"
+said Tom.
+
+"Then grizzlies must be lacking in a musical education, that's all I can
+say," Felix observed.
+
+"Sorry our efforts to amuse don't seem to be appreciated," Tom went on
+to observe with a grin. "Shall we try one more? Do you know, I think
+something inspiring, like 'Dixie' for example, might stir him up.
+Suppose we give him that, and follow with the 'Star Spangled Banner.' If
+one of those don't bring results, why something else has got to be done,
+that's flat."
+
+Felix, entering into the spirit of the occasion, held his gun as though
+it were a guitar which he was picking; and presently, after a few
+extravagant motions, broke out in the invigorating strains of the well
+known Southern song, that in times of old, when the armies of the blue
+and the gray faced each other in battle array, did so much to inspire
+the latter to plunge into the fray.
+
+But then, this was not a Southern bear; and at any rate, the music
+produced no result save to amuse the singers.
+
+"Well, I must say he's a hard customer to please," laughed Tom.
+
+"Or to make mad either," remarked Felix. "Why, after hearing how we
+murdered that noble tune, I should think any self respecting bear would
+rush out, foaming at the mouth, and proceed to rub the assassins in the
+dust. He just goes on snoozing, and paying not the least attention.
+Shall we give it up, Tom?"
+
+"Well, let's try if he's got any patriotism about him. Give him one
+stanza of the other song. If that doesn't make him look out, then we'd
+better put our horns away, and quit singing. We're dead failures as a
+drawing card, seems to me."
+
+"You were right," observed Felix, a few minutes later, when, after they
+had done their level best rolling out the chorus, "And the Star Spangled
+Banner in triumph shall wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of
+the brave," not a single sign of an encore did they receive.
+
+"He don't seem to mind it in the least," remarked Tom, grimly. "Perhaps
+now the old fellow may be stone deaf. I should think he must be, to
+stand for all that stuff, and never whimper once."
+
+"But that couldn't be," declared Felix, "because he must have heard us
+talking that other time, when you saw him peeking over at us. I'm not so
+sure as you are that he's in just now."
+
+"Well, here goes to prove it," said Tom, as he made a move as though
+intending to leave his tree; but when Felix also started to vacate, the
+other called out: "No, I want you to stay just where you are, and keep
+tabs on the opening. If you see the first sign of anything moving, you
+want to give me the tip right away, so I can run back to my tree."
+
+"But what are you going to do?" asked Felix anxiously, for if there was
+anything dangerous to be accomplished, he did not see why Tom should not
+let him share in the enterprise.
+
+"Just wait and see," was all the satisfaction he received. "And don't
+forget you gave me your solemn word to obey. I'm the captain of the ship
+just now, and the crew has got to do what the skipper says."
+
+"But if you're going to take chances, I'd like to be along, Tom."
+
+"Only one of us can do the little job; the other's business is to stay
+there, on guard, and give the alarm if anything shows up. And I've
+detailed you for that part of the programme, Felix."
+
+So, unwilling though he was, the other had to sit there, rifle in hand,
+and try to figure out just what Tom meant to do, in order to bring the
+inmate of the den to his front door, in case he was at home.
+
+The ranch boy had been keeping his eyes well about him, and knew just
+where he could find what he wanted. First of all, he crept up to the
+frowning aperture, and looked in. Felix felt his heart in his throat, so
+to speak, with a sudden fear lest his chum take a reckless notion to
+enter that gaping hole; he was even on the point of calling out, and
+begging Tom not to incur such unnecessary chances, when he saw the other
+moving away again.
+
+Evidently, whatever reason Tom had for going there to the mouth of the
+cave, he was perfectly satisfied; for, as he caught the eye of his chum,
+he nodded, and made suggestive motions, as if to say that he was more
+than ever convinced that the animal was somewhere inside, though
+possibly at some distance back from the opening.
+
+Felix now watched him with deepest interest. If he had figured on how
+Tom meant to draw the grizzly forth, he could not have struck on the
+right answer to the question, for suddenly he gave an exclamation, and
+said as if to himself:
+
+"Now, what's he gathering wood for? It sure doesn't seem like time for
+our noon lunch? And what would Tom want to camp here for in front of the
+place? Now he's got an armful, and--why, of course, he's going to stack
+it up in front of that hole. That's the ticket, Tom; smoke the old
+rascal out?" and he ended in calling aloud to his chum.
+
+The other only turned, and nodded his head as he made his way cautiously
+up to where the black hole gaped silently. Here he tossed his bundle of
+small wood, and then went back for more.
+
+Felix had gripped his gun a little nervously while all this was going
+on, ready to take up his part of the game should occasion arise; but
+even when the brush from under the trees was thrown down, the inmate of
+the den did not deign to show himself, and offer any objection. Felix
+concluded that there must be a mistake, and that the grizzly was away
+from home; or else the old fellow was so gorged with a recent dinner
+that he just could not bother moving, because some foolish boys chose to
+play pranks outside of his house.
+
+Now Tom had returned with a second armful of wood, which he piled up on
+the other lot. Then Felix saw him stuffing a crumpled piece of newspaper
+under the pyramid, and he understood why Tom had put that in his pocket
+so carefully before leaving the shack.
+
+Everything seemed ready, and he wished Tom would hurry, and come away
+from his dangerous quarters, for the bear might rush out at any second.
+So Felix breathed a little easier when he saw the other moving off, and
+noticed little spirals of blue smoke beginning to weave themselves in
+and out of the piled up brush and wood.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A HARD CUSTOMER
+
+
+"That's bound to settle it, one way or the other!" declared Tom, after
+he had climbed up into his tree again, and resumed his former position
+of squatting in a crotch, gun in hand.
+
+"You mean about his being home, or away I reckon?" remarked Felix, who
+was feeling fifty per cent easier in his mind, now that his chum had
+carried out his little programme without being rushed by the bear.
+
+"That's the idea," replied the other, keeping his eyes on the spot where
+the fire he had kindled was burning fairly well.
+
+"Plenty of smoke, if there is only a little flame," observed Felix.
+
+"I wanted it that way; and so I picked out some green stuff that would
+make a whole lot of smell, but not burn too lively, you see, Felix."
+
+"Whee! I got a whiff of it right then; and say, if our friend is at
+home, and can stand that smell, why, he's welcome to stay where he is
+the rest of the winter, for all of me. It beats anything I ever
+whiffed," and the Eastern boy held his fingers to his nose while
+speaking, to emphasize his words.
+
+Tom grinned, as if he really felt proud of that fire. A hot blaze would
+have caused very little smoke; and after all might not have accomplished
+the end they had in view.
+
+"Wait!" he said, with a chuckle; "you'll see."
+
+A few more minutes passed. Felix noticed several things, for he had come
+to pay considerable more attention to small matters than before meeting
+this cousin who had been brought up in the open, and imbibed many of the
+instincts that govern the actions of Indians and veteran woodsmen, among
+which observation stands at the head.
+
+He saw, for instance, that the breeze was blowing straight toward the
+face of the cliff where that hole lay; and as it came in rather strong
+gusts now and then, it undoubtedly served to carry pretty much all of
+the pungent, highly scented smoke into the yawning aperture.
+
+And Felix also knew that it would drive this odor a long way ahead into
+the recesses of the cave. If Bruin were at home, he could not help
+getting a whiff of it presently, and smoke always serves to make a bear
+both suspicious and angry. Where shouts of derision, and the singing of
+songs had failed, a more silent and powerful agency would succeed.
+
+And it did.
+
+One, two, three more minutes passed away. Then Felix heard something
+that gave him a thrill, and caused him to turn quickly in the direction
+of his comrade, perched in the adjoining tree.
+
+Tom nodded his head, and simply remarked:
+
+"What did I tell you? That fetched him; and he's waking up!"
+
+It had undoubtedly been a rumbling roar that came to the ears of the two
+boys. Bruin had at last become aware of the fact that there was smoke
+rolling into his snug retreat; and instinct warned him that smoke never
+came without there being some sort of fire in connection with it.
+
+Again they heard the heavy thrilling sound, and it was now more distinct
+than before, which told them that the grizzly must be advancing
+hurriedly toward the opening. Doubtless this was the only exit he had;
+and alarmed lest he be caught in a trap by the fire, he was now
+shambling along, bent upon seeking the open air before it was too late.
+
+"Ready!" called Tom.
+
+Hardly had he spoken than Felix saw the smouldering stuff at the mouth
+of the cliff den thrown violently aside, as a huge bulk almost filled
+the hole. Then there came into view the very largest grizzly Tom had
+ever seen, as he hastened to declare, with boyish vigor.
+
+"Wow! but ain't he just a jim dandy, though? Big as a house nearly; and
+say, did you ever see a madder thing in all your life. He hears me
+talking right now, because he's looking this way. Bet you his eyes are
+that full of smoke he can't see as well as he might, and he's rubbin'
+'em with his paws, would you believe it? Hey! you, we made that fire!
+What d'ye mean upsetting it that way? Think you own the earth, don't
+you? Well, come on, and have it out with us. Dare you to knock the chip
+off my shoulder! Bah! you're nothing but a big bag of wind! Who cares
+for you?"
+
+Just as though the grizzly could really understand what Tom howled at
+him, he immediately started toward the trees where they were ensconced.
+
+"Oh! my, ain't he mad as hops, though?" jeered Tom. "Look at him shake
+his head, would you, Felix? He knows we did it, and he means to let us
+understand he won't put up with such a racket as smoking him out. Now,
+don't be in too big a hurry to start firing. Take my word for it, you'll
+have plenty of chances to fill him up with lead before he caves under.
+Shake the limb, and holler at him, if you want him to pay attention to
+you."
+
+That was just what Felix did want. He was afraid that the bear would
+know Tom had started the fire, and ignore the other boy. So he too
+commenced to taunt the old fellow, as boys know how to do so well.
+
+The result was just as Tom had predicted; for having his attention thus
+diverted, the bear now changed his course a little, and came directly
+toward the tree that bore such strange fruit in the shape of the second
+human enemy.
+
+What the grizzly thought, at being so rudely disturbed in his
+after-dinner nap by all this shouting, and the smell of smoke in his
+den, Felix could only guess, for by his actions alone could the animal
+tell.
+
+There certainly could hardly have been a madder bear than that one was.
+He acted as though bent upon teaching these impudent boys a much needed
+lesson. When they felt like playing any of their annoying tricks, they
+had better keep away from his particular sleeping place, if they did not
+want to get hurt.
+
+"Get one in before he reaches your tree!" called out Tom; who seemed to
+know what the tactics of the grizzly would be after this had occurred,
+and that possibly Felix might not be able to fire with such sure aim,
+once his haven of refuge were being violently shaken, as it would be.
+
+So the Eastern boy, who had all along kept his Marlin leveled at the
+advancing grizzly, sought to aim in a vulnerable spot; or at least what
+would be reckoned as such with any other wild animal than a grizzly or
+an African rhinoceros.
+
+When he fired he heard the most dreadful roar that ever assailed his
+ears. But to his surprise, the bear did not stop his advance in the
+slightest degree, no matter how the small bullet "mushroomed" when it
+came in contact with his body.
+
+Felix hastily got his gun in shape to shoot again, and this he was able
+to do before the animal succeeded in reaching the tree.
+
+Another roar, more wicked than the preceding one, told that this bullet
+had also lodged in the body of the fierce brute; but as before, it
+failed to have any appreciable effect on the grizzly, save to arouse his
+slumbering passions the more.
+
+"Hold on tight, now, Felix!" shrilled Tom, no doubt itching to use his
+gun, and ready to do so if he thought the situation began to look
+desperate for his chum. "He's going to try and shake you out of that
+tree like a wild plum! Get a firm grip and don't try to shoot yet
+awhile, till he quits!"
+
+The big animal reared up on his hind quarters, and as he did so Felix
+could see signs of blood about him, which told that his bullets had not
+missed connections, even if they did not bring him down.
+
+The beast endeavored to reach the form of the boy, whom instinct told
+him was responsible for his wounds; because he connected that puff of
+smoke, and sharp report, with the acute pain that racked him.
+
+Of course Felix was perched too far up in the tree for that, and the
+most the eager grizzly could do was to come within six feet of him.
+
+Then the monster hugged the tree as though about to try and ascend.
+Indeed, the boy above felt a spasm of fear lest this was just what he
+meant to attempt; and as he had seen black bears climb, he found it hard
+work to believe that the grizzly was deficient in this accomplishment.
+
+All at once the tree began to sway violently to and fro, with increasing
+speed. Having been warned in time, Felix had secured himself against
+being thrown out, although at one time he began to actually fear lest
+the savage monster below might succeed in breaking the tree off at its
+base; he was so big and powerful that few things of an ordinary nature
+would be beyond his capacity. And now that he was enraged to the very
+limit, doubtless he might accomplish wonders.
+
+But fortunately that did not happen, and Felix breathed a sigh of relief
+when, after testing his strength for a minute or two, the grizzly backed
+off, to look up at him out of his wicked little eyes, and growl as he
+dropped back upon all fours again.
+
+"Bully boy!" shouted Tom. "He wanted too, all right, but he couldn't
+quite spell able. Now, try him again, Felix; and watch out for one of
+his rushes. Quit shooting when he tries that racket, and just hold on.
+You can wear the old critter out; and say, that gun does send 'em in
+like fun. I could see him quiver all over each time you pulled trigger.
+But you'll get him yet, don't fear!"
+
+Just as Tom said that last word Felix fired a third time, trying to pick
+out a better place to send his bullet. Truth to tell he was more than
+anxious to finish the game old bear, which he knew must be suffering
+horribly already.
+
+Although he was confident that he planted his lead in the identical spot
+he wanted, still the only appreciable effect was to send the monster
+furiously at the tree again.
+
+Never did Felix expect to see such baffled fury. After finding that all
+his terrible strength was not sufficient to shake the clinging boy from
+his perch, or bear down the tree under his weight, as he had doubtless
+done many a stout sapling, when wishing to feast off berries growing
+beyond his reach, (if grizzlies do partake of such things, as their
+black cousins have always done,) the baffled animal actually started to
+gnaw at the bark of the tree, as though in this manner he believed he
+might weaken it sufficiently to attain his ends.
+
+"Now, watch your chance, and give him another!" cried the deeply
+interested Tom, who was closely observing every little phase of this
+strange fight, so one-sided Felix thought.
+
+As he had by this time put his hand to the plow, Felix did not mean to
+back out. He must have that grizzly pelt, if it took every ounce of
+ammunition he carried on his person. And since the beast was so badly
+wounded that he might eventually die anyway, he ought to be finished.
+
+But somehow Felix did not feel as though he would ever want to go
+through the experience again; not that he was afraid; but it seemed too
+much like butchery to him, with the chances always against the animal.
+And those feelings did him credit, too, even if they marked his decline
+as a big-game hunter, for as such he could not consider that his quarry
+had any right to live at all.
+
+This time when he fired he believed that the bear was weakening. Tom
+must have thought along the same lines for he immediately called out in
+an exultant tone; for Tom being a stockman's son, only considered the
+grizzly as a possible enemy of his father's herds; and on account of
+previous losses from a similar source he bore the grizzly tribe only the
+hardest of feelings.
+
+Again did the wounded beast try to vent his fury upon the inoffensive
+tree, biting and clawing at it in the utmost fury, as though possessed
+of the one insane idea that in some fashion it had conspired to keep the
+object of his anger beyond reach of his teeth and claws.
+
+Between spells Felix sent in a fifth, and then a sixth shot. After that
+he would have to reload, since he had exhausted the contents of his
+gun's magazine, with the grizzly still on deck, though weakening.
+
+"He's got his, I reckon!" said Tom, as the other was working with
+feverish haste to insert another set of six cartridges through the
+opening meant for this purpose, as well as to eject the empty cases
+after firing. "Better give him another to wind him up, though, Felix!"
+
+The seventh shot did bring the unequal combat to an end, for the gallant
+old grizzly rolled over, and became still.
+
+Tom immediately dropped down from his perch, and went over to where the
+bear lay.
+
+"Now, if we only had the old kodak along, we could take your picture,
+standing with one foot on the fallen game!" he remarked, as Felix joined
+him.
+
+"I'm glad we haven't," said the other, simply and Tom looked a bit
+puzzled, although by the way he nodded his head presently it was evident
+that he had something like an inkling of the truth.
+
+"Well, he _was_ a game old sport, all right," he declared; "and that
+pelt will be something worth while. Reckon I'll have to get you to help
+me take it off, because it's too big a job for one fellow."
+
+Of course, after a little while, Felix got over the sensation of regret
+in connection with the shooting of the monster. He realized that a
+grizzly is really of no known use in the world and must be a source of
+great annoyance to any stockman; so that he need not regret having slain
+this fellow.
+
+But one would be quite enough for him. Somehow, the sport was not all it
+had been cracked up to be. Possibly it was because they had been
+compelled to locate in those trees; but then, Felix learned afterwards
+that those who hunt grizzlies frequently, have so great a respect for
+their savage fury, as well as their ability to carry off lead, that they
+think it no disgrace to place themselves out of the animal's reach
+before opening the battle.
+
+It was late that evening before the two tired Nimrods reached home; but
+at any rate the last great ambition on the part of Felix had been
+attained; he had killed a grizzly, and all unaided.
+
+From that time on he felt that he would be satisfied to pursue the even
+tenor of his way, and not allow vaulting ambition to draw him into fresh
+fields of adventure after big game.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+BREAKING CAMP--CONCLUSION
+
+
+After that the days just glided along, each one seeming to bring
+something in its train that would occupy considerable of their
+attention.
+
+Tom kept up his trapping, and Felix became himself deeply interested in
+learning more and more about the habits of the sly little bearers of the
+prized fur; for which there was such a growing demand in the world of
+civilization, that men were visiting hitherto unexplored sections of the
+world in search of new supplies, since the old fields showed signs of
+giving out.
+
+He spent some time in the partly frozen marsh, examining the homes of
+the muskrats; and after that had Tom tell him all he knew about the ways
+in which the mink lived, both at home, and when abroad searching for
+food.
+
+They had no trouble in getting all the venison they wanted; and once,
+when their larder began to decline, on account of a spell of bad
+weather, who should come to the dugout but Jo Crow, bearing the choice
+portions of a young buck, which his father had sent over to the Little
+Doctor, as a slight token of his gratitude for services rendered.
+
+Just as though that small debt had not been wiped out, Felix remarked,
+when he was so hospitably received in the Crow cabin, fed, and then
+assisted in recovering his stolen property.
+
+But then Tom knew that young Jo must have fond recollections of that
+smooth tasting Java, and he made sure to treat the boy to many cups of
+coffee at each meal, while he stopped over night with them.
+
+And when, after a heavy storm, they found a chance to make the first use
+of the snow shoes they had brought along, the boys proved that they knew
+how to utilize the advantages this means of locomotion gave them over
+the animals of the forest.
+
+Once Tom, when on his way back from his traps, was pursued by a pack of
+hungry wolves; but he had what he was pleased to term a "picnic" with
+them. He would stop and let them come within a certain distance, when
+several shots from his repeating rifle lessened their number
+considerably. After that he would start on again, all the while slipping
+fresh cartridges into his gun so as to have a full equipment, in case of
+an emergency.
+
+As the animals still kept after him, Tom repeated his former tactics,
+and knocked a couple more wolves over. He would have liked to keep
+dotting the snow with their forms, because he hated the breed violently;
+but by this time they scented trouble, and hauled off.
+
+So Tom even went back, and secured the pelts of the last two, adding
+them to the lot he was taking home.
+
+"You see," he remarked to Felix that night, as they sat around the fire,
+speaking of what had happened during the day, "that's a great advantage
+one gets by knowing how to use snow shoes. The varmints floundered
+through the drifts, while I just skipped over them as if I had wings.
+Why, I could have circled the pack at times, if I'd wanted. And they
+were savage with hunger, all right, too, because only for that they
+wouldn't have kept so hard after me."
+
+"But I'd have thought they'd stop to make a meal off those you shot at
+first," remarked Felix.
+
+"I see you're on to wolf habits, all right and good," chuckled Tom.
+"Well, a bunch of 'em did hold over, to have a sort of wake with the
+remains; but I guess the rest of the lot felt that it wouldn't go
+around. They kept after me, that's all I know. P'raps they had their
+minds set on a nice tender juicy Tucker for supper; but if they'd known
+how tough he was, they might have hauled off sooner, and two of the
+bunch would be alive yet," and he glanced at the skins he had stretched
+on the big frames meant for such purpose.
+
+"And next winter perhaps those same hides will be keeping some chauffeur
+warm, as he guides his car along Fifth Avenue in New York," said Felix,
+humorously.
+
+"That's putting 'em to good uses, anyway," remarked the wolf-killer,
+calmly.
+
+Only the next day Felix had a chance to see for himself what a great
+advantage those same snow shoes gave a hunter over his quarry. The snow
+was deep enough to come to his knees on the level, and besides, in many
+places it had drifted considerably. Then there had come a slight thaw,
+that caused the surface to become coated with ice. Through this the
+small hoofs of a deer would break with every jump; while the boys could
+glide along on the broad netting of their snow shoes without disturbing
+the crust.
+
+Thinking he would take a little turn around, Felix started out while Tom
+was off looking after his traps again. He did not intend going any great
+distance from the shack, and hardly expected finding game; but then
+there was never any telling when one might run across a deer, for they
+were fairly plentiful.
+
+And hearing a floundering noise some distance ahead, he suddenly
+discovered a full grown young buck making off at full speed.
+
+Under ordinary conditions it would have been the utmost folly for Felix
+to even dream of overtaking that alarmed deer; but he wished to test the
+speeding qualities of his snow shoes.
+
+The tables were turned by the presence of the deep snow, since the deer
+could not run as fast as ordinary, while the powers of locomotion on the
+part of the boy had been trebled, at least.
+
+And so he had by degrees gradually come up on the fleeing buck. The
+animal was snorting, and plunging desperately in the endeavor to get
+away; just as though he realized that the mortal enemy of his race was
+close behind. Breathing so rapidly that it looked like clouds of steam
+arising from his nostrils, he kept on in his wild run.
+
+When Felix had gained a position where he could see the exposed flank of
+the deer he came to a sudden halt. And no sooner had his rifle spoken
+than there was an end to the chase, for the buck was floundering on the
+snow.
+
+Those were days neither of the boys would ever forget. But the weeks
+were slipping past, and they began to figure on the time, now close at
+hand, when they must break camp, and set their faces once more towards
+civilization.
+
+It would be with more than a little regret too, even though both of them
+must rejoice to again see the dear ones who were at home; for they had
+certainly enjoyed this vacation period in the Rockies more than words
+could tell.
+
+Tom had looked over his trophies, and decided on what few they wanted to
+take away with them. These were, for the most part, pelts calculated to
+remind them of certain adventures which had befallen them in their camp
+life.
+
+For instance, there was that bobcat skin, which had once been sported by
+the animal whose vicious growl had greeted them on that first evening of
+their arrival at the dugout; then Felix had the pelts of the wolves he
+had shot, after they had given him such a lovely little scrimmage,
+before letting him get to the shelter of the shack with his burning
+torch; and the big grizzly hide, that occupied a place of honor in the
+collection also.
+
+Besides, there were a few choice mink skins; a fox that Tom particularly
+wanted, because he had tried for three weeks to trap the wary Reynard
+before he managed it; and some muskrat skins that Felix wanted to show
+his folks at home.
+
+The bighorn head adornment had been beautifully prepared; and together
+with the head of the big buck, must be carried on the sledge they meant
+to drag behind them, when they went out of the mountain country, headed
+south.
+
+All the remainder of the catch, together with quite a supply of store
+provisions they handed over to Charley Crow and his boy Jo, when at the
+invitation of the inmates of Old Sol's shack the two came over to see
+them for the last time.
+
+And how that dusky boy's eyes did dance when he saw that among the lot
+there chanced to be some of that glorious coffee, that had quite taken
+his heart by storm.
+
+Felix was not one to easily forget; and later on he did send out a bulky
+package to his cousin Tom, which, upon investigation was found to
+contain three good reliable Marlins for Charley Crow and his boys, just
+as hard hitting guns as the one Felix himself carried, only of much less
+value, because the material was along different lines. And besides,
+there were a dozen cans of pulverized coffee for Jo, that would be sure
+to make him the happiest Shoshone Indian boy on or off the reservation.
+
+They looked their last on the old shack one morning when the weather
+seemed to promise well for a day or two; said goodbye to every familiar
+object, and with one farewell glance around, as though to secure a
+mental photograph of the picture to do them for all time, turned their
+backs on the spot that had given them the very finest time of their
+lives.
+
+Felix knew that he had benefited greatly from his outing, and indeed he
+felt fully able to return home with the New Year, to resume his studies.
+Those happy weeks spent in camp had brought the ruddy hue of health back
+to his cheeks, just as his wise father had expected would be the case;
+his step was elastic; and his eye bright; while as for appetite, he
+declared he would eat them out of house and home, unless a curb were put
+upon it presently.
+
+As the snow was in pretty fair shape, they made good progress that day,
+and hoped by another to be where they could take advantage of the frozen
+river to finish their journey on the ice, bringing up at the ranch of
+Tom's father.
+
+This programme was faithfully carried out, even though it did turn
+bitter cold that night, so that they had to keep a fire blazing every
+hour, in order to ward off the fate of being frozen stiff; for their
+camp happened to be exposed to the breeze more than Tom would have
+liked, had he been given any choice.
+
+Arriving at the river, they met the man who had come from the ranch
+under the former agreement. He had been waiting two days, and made
+himself as comfortable as the conditions allowed; and it was the smoke
+of his fire that directed the two boys to his hideout. As he had a pair
+of snow shoes with him, they were able to continue their journey along
+the snow-covered surface of the frozen river; and in due time reach the
+ranch.
+
+Here the sight of their trophies, and the story of all that had befallen
+them during their two months' stay in the country of the Rockies
+interested the cowmen greatly, and for several nights they plied the
+boys with innumerable questions concerning the various happenings that
+went to make up the experience.
+
+When Felix arrived home early in January, his father was delighted with
+his improved appearance; and doubly proud of the spoils which the young
+fellow displayed, to supplement his stories of the events clustering
+around the camp in the big game country.
+
+And it was easily arranged that later on he should again go out to be
+with his cousin; indeed, as the good doctor had no need to continue his
+practice, since he was well supplied with this world's goods, he
+declared it to be his intention to give up his business, and accompany
+Felix, for he had always wanted to see what ranch life was like.
+
+Toward Spring a letter came from Tom in the faraway Wyoming country,
+saying that he had had a chance to get up to the reservation, where
+Charley Crow and family were finishing the winter, taking the splendid
+present Felix had sent with the party; and that there was great
+rejoicing in the Crow family. Those wonderful guns, as well as the
+enticing coffee from Java's distant shores, quite overwhelmed the
+astonished Shoshones, and they never knew when to stop sending their
+thanks to Felix.
+
+But as the boy remembered that occasion, when, after wandering through
+the snow forest, hungry, cold, and weary, he sighted the smoke of that
+humble cabin of Charley Crow, and what a warm welcome had awaited him
+there, he felt that after all he had only begun to pay back the great
+debt he owed these dusky people of the fur country.
+
+The End
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Rocky Mountain Boys, by St. George Rathborne
+
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