epest satisfaction. Why, the
laurel wreath of the victor could not have given him one half the
solid pleasure that would come could he but know he had won the
admiration of this experienced forest ranger, and trapper-guide.

Meanwhile, after he had the cooking fire under full way, Toby
proceeded to skin the Rocky mountain sheep, making sure to handle the
excellent horns carefully, as Step Hen begged, since they were almost
perfect.

"He ain't a youngster, and at the same time he don't seem to be so
_very_ old," the guide remarked, as he worked, cutting up the sheep;
"so, p'raps we kin get our teeth workin' on him some. I never was much
of a hand for this sorter meat; but in such a pinch as this I kin eat
even mutton. Anyhow, it'll sure keep us from goin' hungry, and that's
the game right now. I hopes as how the other boys kin get here afore
dark sets in."

"That makes me remember I'm neglecting my duty; because I ought to be
lettin' out a whoop now and then, just to sort of guide Davy and
Smithers."

With that Step Hen managed to get to his feet, though he was surprised
to find how stiff he had become, just sitting there. Toby grinned to
see him wince, as he stretched first one arm, and then a leg. He knew
what it meant. The strain of the recent engagement on the ledge,
besides all that hanging desperately to the face of the precipice,
was telling on the boy's muscles.

When Step Hen let out a loud cry, he was pleased to get a response in
the well-known voice of Davy Jones. The call came from a point not far
away, and Toby immediately declared that the other scouts must be
about half-way down.

"They're agoin' to make it, all right, I do believe!" Step Hen
exclaimed.

"Looks that way, for a fact," the guide responded.

The day was almost done, at least down at the foot of that great wall
that stretched upward for hundreds of feet. Lying there, resting the
back of his head on both hands, and looking upward to where some
buzzards were wheeling against the sky, Step Hen could hardly believe
that he had actually descended all that distance in safety. He
shuddered as he contemplated what an ugly tumble he must have
experienced, if those fighting eagles had succeeded in knocking him
off the ledge.

And just as the shades of approaching night began to gather around
them, with a rather appetizing odor from cooking meat filling the
immediate neighborhood, there came a hail from a point close at hand.

"Hello! ther