Of course, Reddy was to act as guide to the party. He had been around
the vicinity a number of times. Besides, he knew the habits of the elk,
which used this valley for their feeding grounds, and if any one could
lead them to success in their hunt it was the young cowboy.

Frank used to look at Reddy, and wonder if he had ever seen him before;
but as that was out of the question, he came to the belief that it was
simply a matter of resemblance.

"Look there!" exclaimed the guide, before they had gone two hundred
steps from the camp, and pointing as he spoke.

"What was it?" asked Jerry eagerly.

"I saw a gray critter slinking away into that thicket!"

"The panther's mate!" cried Bluff excitedly, as he fingered his gun.

"I reckon it was; but we ain't lost no panther, and anyhow, this is a
hunt for elk meat. Come along, boys," remarked Reddy hastily.

They tramped for half an hour steadily, going far beyond where Bluff had
had his strange adventure with the wounded elk. Will trailed along in
the rear, holding on to his beloved camera. The woods looked as though
the recent dry weather had seared the leaves more or less, but they
lacked the splendid gorgeous tints of autumn.

More than once the others had to wait for the straggler, or else call to
him. He grew so interested in his surroundings, especially when trying