and were thus enabled to approach within easy gunshot of the
unsuspicious animals.

A program had been arranged, and every one knew just what part in it he
was expected to play. Consequently, there was no confusion. Frank, Jerry
and Bluff had their chance to aim. To each was assigned a different
quarry, though after the first shot they were to fire as they pleased.

"Ready?" whispered the master of ceremonies, after Will had performed
his little, necessary operation with his camera that would produce happy
results.

"Yes," said Frank.

"Ditto!" from Jerry.

"Same here," came from Bluff.

"Then go!"

There followed a crash of firearms. Instantly confusion broke out among
the little herd of feeding elk. One was down, another went limping off,
to fall as Frank sent in a second hasty shot; while the balance fairly
flew off in their fright.

"Hurrah!" shouted the hunters, as they saw that they had met with
splendid success, since two of the big animals had fallen to their guns.

Bluff looked grimly disappointed.

"I hit my buck, for I saw him go down on his knees," he asserted
moodily.

"Oh, that ain't anything. An elk often runs off with several bad wounds.
I only hope he don't die in the woods somewhere," said Reddy, examining
the tracks of those that had escaped.

"Will it pay us to follow them up and see if Bluff's buck fell?" asked
Frank, more to please his chum than because they needed the game.

"Nope. The buck runs like he wasn't even hurt much. No ketchin' up with
them fellers after that riot call. We'd best pay attention to what we've
got, and return to camp," replied the guide; and Bluff shrugged his
shoulders, saying:

"But I hit him, anyhow, I'll tell you that, fellows."

Frank found that all Reddy meant to do was to hang the two elk up, after
they had cut some choice portions for immediate use. The other cowboys
would come with the horses, on their way down the river, on the morrow,
and secure the game.

"We got fooled out of elk steaks once and don't mean to again, I tell
you," said Jerry, as he shouldered his portion of the load.

So they returned to camp.

"What's this?" said Mr. Mabie as they came filing in. "Back already, and
only out two hours? Got some meat, too, I see. That's good. Such
appetites as you boys are developing threaten to eat us out of house and
home soon, unless we eke out with game. Who cut up the elk?"

"The boys all took a hand. They wanted to learn," smiled Re