mself in place he fired at it twice more. The hunter and the
Little Giant, who appeared at the head of the pass, also gave it two
bullets apiece, and then the monster toppled over not far from their
fire, and after panting a little, lay still.

The Little Giant surveyed the great beast with wonder.

"The biggest I ever saw," he said, "an' it took nine bullets to bring
him down, provided you hit him ev'ry time you fired, young William. Ef
this is what you're goin' to bring on us whenever you leave the camp I
'low you'd better stick close to the fire."

"He came out of a cavern at the end of the little ravine," said the lad.
"Of course, when I went visiting up that way I didn't know he had a home
there."

"It 'pears that he did have a home thar, an' that he was at home, too.
Now, I 'low you'd better talk a little to your friends, the hosses and
mules. They're pow-ful stirred up over the stranger you've brought 'mong
us. Hear 'em neighin' an' chargin'."

Will went among the animals, but it took him a long time to soothe them.
To them the grizzly bear smell was so strong and it was so strongly
suffused with danger that they still panted and moved uneasily after he
left them.

"Now, what are you goin' to do with him?" asked the Little Giant,
looking at the huge form. "We ain't b'ar huntin' on this trip, but it
'pears a shame to leave a skin like that fur the wolves to t'ar to
pieces. We may need it later."

"We don't have to leave it," said Boyd. "A big bearskin weighs a lot,
but one of the horses will be able to carry it."

He and the Little Giant, using their strong hunting knives, took off the
great skin with amazing dexterity, and then hung it on a stout bough to
dry. As they turned away from their task and left the body of the bear,
they heard the rush of feet and long, slinking forms appeared in the
narrow pass where the denuded body of the monster lay.

"The mountain wolves," said the Little Giant. "It's not likely that
they've had such a feast in a long time. I'd like to send a bullet among
'em, but it's no use. Besides, they're actin' 'cordin' to their lights.
The Lord made 'em eaters o' other creeturs, an' eat they must to live."

Will heard the fierce snarling and growling as the wolves fought for
places at the body of the bear, and, although he knew as the Little
Giant had said, that they were only obeying the call of nature, he could
not repress a shudder at the eagerness and ferocity in their voices.