THE YOUNG HUNTER AND THE ELK


There are times when one acts from instinct alone. Frank had no time to
think, when he felt himself going down with some loose earth and stones
into the wide canyon. He simply threw his rifle back of him, so that he
might save it from falling, and at the same time have the free use of
both hands.

He fell a dozen feet or so, along with the loose soil and rocks he had
caused to give way under his weight. Then, by some happy accident, his
outstretched hands closed upon a bush that was growing from the rough
face of the wall, and to this he clung with desperation.

It threatened to come loose with each movement he made, and yet he was
bound to find some niche for his dangling feet, so as to relieve the
bush from a part of his weight.

He had heard the loud outcries of his friends, and knew they must be
hastening to his relief.

If he could only hold on for five minutes all might be well.

Below lay quite an abyss, and a fall was apt to bruise him very much,
even if he were fortunate enough not to have any bones broken. It was,
therefore, with considerable gratitude that he discovered he could dig
his toes into crevices in the rock, and thus hang on.

Jerry afterward declared that Frank presented all the appearance of a