"Then we go this afternoon?" queried Reddy anxiously.

"Whenever you're ready," answered Frank.

They set out within half an hour. Of course, the whole four chums
insisted on being in the party. Besides, there were the guide, Mr. Mabie
and Billy. Each of the cowboys carried his rope, for of late it had
seemed as though a lariat might be a very necessary accompaniment to
these side hunts.

They headed in a quarter where, as yet, none of the boys had been. This
led them directly into the thickets that lay at the base of the mountain
barrier, stretching away up against the blue heavens.

None of the chums had forgotten the fierce appearance of the grizzly
that had fallen before the rifle which Jerry wielded so cleverly.

"Remember, lads," said Mr. Mabie, as they trailed along through rocky
gulches, "every Mountain Charlie isn't going to keel over as easily as
the one Jerry got. He was lucky to send his lead to a vital point. I've
seen veteran hunters shoot a bear a dozen times, and then have to finish
him with a knife."

"I've always read that they can stand a tremendous amount of shooting
without caving under," admitted Frank.

"And it isn't considered at all disgraceful, when stirring such a
terrible monster out of his den, for the hunters to post themselves in
trees near by. While at first blush such a procedure might seem silly or
cowardly to you, take an old hunter's advice, and give the rascal no