t; and as they lay there, peeping out from
their rocky shelter, it can be taken for granted that each of them had
eyes for his particular quarry only.

And then finally Toby touched the shoulder of the kodak owner, as a
signal that he had better be getting to work.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE SHEEP HUNTERS.

Davy Jones had made all his arrangements. He had only to press the
button, when the slight "click" told that his picture was an
accomplished fact, and that if the hunters did as well, the expedition
might be set down as a glorious success.

Davy had carried his shotgun fastened to his back with a strap, while
he worked his little camera. Now he reached out for the gun, although
realizing the folly of trying to do any execution at that distance
with buckshot cartridges.

"Now!" said the guide, suddenly.

It would seem as though he spoke aloud purposely, knowing what the
effect was apt to be. Every feeding big-horn raised its head
instantly, and for the space of several seconds stood there as though
carved out of stone.

A better chance for a shot could not be imagined.

"Bang!"

"Whang!"

That was Smithy firing first, and the second report told that Step
Hen's little thirty-thirty was on the job instantly.

One big-horn sheep fell over on the rock, and kicked several times. It
might have fallen over the ledge only that somehow the body seemed to
become fast in a crotch; and there it lay in a tantalizing position, for
only by a most difficult climb downward could it be reached at all.

"Oh! I hit mine, and he's fallen down there!" cried Smithy in a voice
that just thrilled with wild exultation; and hardly had he said this
than he added, in a deeply crushed tone: "Oh! wasn't that too cruel of
him now, to just bound off on his horns like they were skies, and get
on his feet again? There he goes now, and see him limp, will you,
fellows? I hit him, yes, I surely did!"

"Well, he's gone, and that's the last you're likely to see of him,
more's the pity," said Step Hen; "but look at _my_ game, would you,
stuck there in among them rocks? Toby, we must manage to get him, some
way or other. Tell me how it can be done, won't you?"

The guide scratched his head, as if himself a bit puzzled.

"Only one way I kin see, boys," he observed, "and that means a lot
more climbing for us."

"You mean we'll just have to work around, and get up there above the
place where _my_ big-horn lies, as dead as a door nail; is t