while these hunters were near by.

With the morning the camp was to be abandoned. Tents came down while
they were eating breakfast, and everything was packed away in as small a
compass as possible, for carrying on the backs of the pack horses, which
were brought in from the pen, or corral, where they had been kept all
this while, in charge of a guard.

The three bullboats awaited the adventurous ones. These were of the type
much used in this far region of the Northwest, being fashioned of tough
hides of bulls, and impervious to water.

Besides their guns, which were strapped to their backs, the voyagers
carried little or nothing. In case of an upset they did not stand to
worry over anything except saving their own lives.

So they quitted the camp under the cataract, where they had spent
several very enjoyable days.

[Illustration: IMMEDIATELY THE TWO ADVENTUROUS CRUISERS WERE IN THE
RAPIDS.--_Page 141_.
_The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_.]

Swiftly they descended the stream for several miles. Then, according to
agreement, they hauled in at the head of the rapids for a little rest
and consultation before making the riffle.

Will had declared his intention of going down the shore and taking up
his position about midway of the drop, so as to snap off the two
descending bullboats as they came flying along in the midst of the