ntain.

For a few brief moments Rod studied the situation as he reloaded. The
bear was rapidly nearing the summit of the ridge. By, swift running
Wabigoon would have another fair shot before the animal got out of
range. If that shot were a miss they would lose their game. In a flash
he discerned a break in the mountain. If he could make that, and the
bear turned in his direction--

Without further thought he ran toward the break. He heard the sharp
reports of Wabi's rifle behind him, but didn't stop to see the effect
of the fire. If it was another miss--every second counted. The cut in
the mountain was clear. Breathlessly he dashed through it and stopped
on the opposite side, his eyes eagerly scanning the rock-strewn ridge.
He made no attempt to suppress the exclamation of joy that came to
his lips when, fully eight hundred yards away, he discerned the bear
coming down the side of the mountain, and in his direction. Crouching
behind a huge boulder Rod waited. Seven hundred yards, six hundred,
five hundred, and the bear turned, this time striking into the edge
of the plain. The animal was traveling slowly, partly stopping in his
flight now and then, and Rod knew that he was badly wounded. It was
soon evident that the course being taken by the game would bring it no
nearer, and the young hunter leveled his rifle.

Five hundred yards, more than a quarter of a mile!

This was desperate shooting, shooting that sent a strange thrill
through Roderick Drew. The magnificent weapon in his hands was equal
to the task. It would kill easily at that distance. But would he fail?
He was confident that his first shot went high. His second had no
effect. To his third there came the sharp response of a fourth from
the top of the mountain. Wabigoon had reached the summit, and was
firing at six hundred yards!

The bear stopped. With deadly precision Rod now took aim at the
motionless animal. An instant after he had fired a wild shout burst
from his throat, and was answered by Wabigoon's joyful yell from the
mountain. It was a wonderful shot, and the bear was down!

The animal was dead when the triumphant young hunters reached its
side. It was some time before either of them spoke. Panting from their
exertions, both looked down in silence upon the huge beast at their
feet. That he had made a remarkable kill Rod could see by the look of
wonder in his companion's face. They were still mutely regarding
the dead animal when Mukoki came th