"Oh, I can understand that principle of honor in a true sportsman, my
lad, and I must say it does you credit; but when you come to know
grizzlies better, and appreciate their terrible strength, you'll agree
with the rest of us that a man has to forget such things when he gets a
chance to puncture the hide of so fierce a monster as this old rogue. He
could kill a horse with a single blow, or tear one into shreds with
those claws. If I can get my mount to go a little closer, I'll try to
wind him up with a single ball, but it's difficult to shoot from the
back of a nervous pony."

He began to speak to his steed, which was striking the turf with its
hoofs, and champing at the bit, as if terrified at such close proximity
to, an animal so greatly to be dreaded.

Then suddenly there was a wild shout from the cowboys, and Frank,
looking, saw one of them whirling his horse in wild flight, and dashing
toward the group. He seemed to guess instinctively what had
happened--the rope of the opposite rider must have broken under the
tremendous strain. This really left the grizzly free, and, filled with
mad rage, he was galloping straight toward them!




CHAPTER VIII

BLUFF MISSES SOMETHING