mile off on the other side of the knoll.

The eyes of Ian surpassed those of Victor in the matter of dilation.

"Did he see you?"

"No; he was nibbling his paws when I gave him my last look."

"Now, comrades," said Ian, whose usually calm demeanour had given place
to intense, yet suppressed excitement, "it may seem selfish--though I
hope it is not--when I ask you to leave that bear entirely to me. You
know, Vic, that your sister Elsie once expressed a wish for a
grizzly-bear collar, and at the time I inwardly resolved to get her one,
of my own procuring, if I could. It is a whim, you know, but, in the
circumstances, I do hope that--that--"

"Ah! it is for une dame--une affair of de heart. Bon! You shall go in
an' vin," said the gallant Rollin.

"I don't know," said Victor dubiously; "it seems to me rather hard to
give up my chance of the first grizzly I've ever seen. However, I'm
willing to do so on one condition--that Rollin and I go as near you as
may be without interfering. You know--excuse me, Ian--what an awful bad
shot you are. If you were to miss, you know--which you're sure to do--
and we were not there--eh?"

"All right, you shall go with me; but have a care, no helping of me
except in case of dire necessity."

This being agreed to, they made a wide circuit to reach a hollow. In
its shelter they galloped swiftly towards the woodland, near the margin
of which the bear had been seen. Arrived at a point which they judged
to be near the animal, they dismounted, fastened up their horses, and
prepared for war.

There were no encumbrances to lay aside, for they travelled in the
simplest possible costume, but Ian drew the charge of his gun, wiped the
piece carefully out with a bit of rag, made sure that the touch-hole was
clear, fixed in a new flint, and loaded carefully with ball. The others
acted similarly.

"Empty de pan an' prime again ven you gits near," said Rollin.

Ian made some uncalled-for reference to eggs and the education of
Rollin's grandmother, tightened his belt, felt that the hatchet and
scalping-knife were handy behind him, and set off on his adventure,
followed by his companions at a considerable distance.

On drawing near to the outer edge of the woods he stooped slightly, and
trod with the extreme caution of an Indian. Indeed, no red man could
have beaten Ian at woodcraft--except, of course, in the matter of
shooting. He felt this defect keenly as he glided along, but nev