r clever view Will managed to get of the interior, with his
chums and himself lolling there.

In the morning there was pretty much of a bustle around the ranch house.

"Ready, boys?" called Mr. Mabie, as he appeared with his gun strapped
across his back, as the easiest way of carrying it.

A chorus of affirmatives greeted his question.

"Then mount, and we'll be off. They've gone on ahead last night with the
tents and foodstuff, so that we'll find things in pretty much shipshape
when we get on the ground."

"Say, they do things right out in this big country, eh?" said Bluff to
Frank as the two of them galloped off in company.

The morning was fair and the air sharp enough to be bracing.

"Never saw anything to equal the atmosphere here," remarked Frank as
their host came alongside. "There seems to be a tonic in it that even we
do not have up in Maine or the Adirondacks. It makes you feel like
shouting all the time."

"Everybody says the same when they first come. Presently you will grow
accustomed to its invigorating tone, and quiet down. It is caused by the
dry air. We are a long way from the Atlantic, and these mighty mountains
to the west act as a buffer to the moisture-laden air from the Pacific."

Crossing the valley, they were soon penetrating among the foothills at
the base of the great uplifts, the tops of which bore eternal snow.

Wilder grew the scenery as they penetrated deeper into the wilderness.
Frank and his chums were almost awed by the grandeur of their
surroundings. At the same time, Jerry kept an eager eye on the watch for
signs of game. The sportsman spirit was strong in his nature, and
generally forged to the front.

It was Frank, however, who first chanced to spy something that excited
his attention.

"What is that moving up yonder, Mr. Mabie? There! Look! I declare if it
didn't jump straight across from that high rock to the other! Is that a
Rocky Mountain sheep, sir?" he asked.

"Just what it is, my lad; and if you feel inclined, there is a chance
for you to get a shot at it," came the quick reply.

"I would like it, first rate," declared Frank, immediately changing his
rifle from his back to his hands.

"All right, then. Listen, and I'll tell you how it may be done. We'll
rest our horses right here, for the last climb over this rough ridge to
the bank of the swift river lying between. You drop down here and make
your way along until you can get a chance to shoot. It will be a lo