A KING OF THE FOREST.
The boys remained standing at the mouth of the cavern until the guide
disappeared on the other side of the little plateau. Then they looked at
each other and smiled.
"Well, it appears that we are to have another day to ourselves," said
Jack; "and we can't gain anything by waiting, so let's be off."
Nothing could be more satisfactory to Fred, and the two took nearly the
same course as their friend, who passed from sight but a short time
before. They had no intention, however, of following him, for that would
have been displeasing to the veteran, who, had he desired their company,
would have asked for it.
Without any definite object in mind, they took substantially the route
of the previous afternoon. Sooner than they anticipated, they found
themselves on the margin of the canyon that had been the scene of so
stirring an experience, but the point where they reached it was deeper
in the mountains.
"Jack, we can't be very far from that break that Hank spoke of; let's
hunt it up."
"I am willing; but before we do so we'll peep over the side, to see
whether he or anyone else is there."
No change was to be noted in the appearance of the tiny stream at the
enormous depth, but neither friend nor stranger was in sight. They did
not expect to see any one, and began moving along the side of the
stupendous fissure in their search for the place where Hank had entered
it. From what he said it could not be far off, but they were
disappointed before reaching the right point. A gradual descent of the
sides was notable, and continued until the depth of the canyon was
decreased one-half, while the roar became more audible.
"We can't be far from the break," said Jack; "that is, if this descent
continues."
They found, however, a few minutes later, that it did not continue, but
began to increase, until they were fully as elevated above the bottom of
the gorge as at the point where they had leaped it. The width also
varied continually, sometimes being only three or four feet, while in
others it expanded to nearly ten times that extent. They did not pause
to look over the margin again, for their aim was to reach the place
referred to by their friend.
At the moment when they began to wonder whether a mistake had not been
made they came upon the break. Both banks sloped downward so abruptly
that it would have been laborious for the two to work their way to the
bottom, or from the bottom to the top, though the masses of boulders,
with the tough pines growing almost the whole distance, offered secure
foothold.
The picture was an interesting one. At the point where the stream issued
from the canyon, its width was about twenty yards. It flowed swiftly,
but quickly slackened its pace, since its expansion was fully a hundred
feet. This flowed for probably double that distance, when the high banks
again appeared, and what may be called the regular canyon was resumed.
Jack and Fred sat down to survey the curious picture. They noticed that
the canyon seemed to be dotted at intervals with rocks, some of which
rose to a considerable height above the current. Many were near one side
or the other, while others were in the middle of the swift stream, which
dashed against them with a violence that threw the spray and foam high
in air. It was easy to believe that Hank Hazletine had made his way up
the canyon by leaping from rock to rock, with little more result than
the wetting of his shoes.
"It might be done in the daytime," said Jack, "but I should not want to
try it at night."
"The water must be very deep in many places; and flows so fast that the
strongest swimmer couldn't help himself. I should prefer to climb the
wall, as Hank did."
"But that would be dangerous in the darkness."
"The best thing we can do is to do neither," observed Fred, with a
laugh. "I have a good deal of curiosity to know what led Hank to pick
his way up the canyon, but I haven't enough to lead me to follow
him----"
Jack Dudley suddenly gripped the arm of his friend and drew him back
from the boulder on which they had been sitting. Fred nearly lost his
balance, and did not know what to make of the proceeding until both
checked themselves at a safe distance and cautiously peeped forth. Then
the cause of Jack's excitement became apparent.
From the pines on the other side of the stream, and near the middle of
the depressed portion, three Indians stepped into view. The first
anxiety of the youths was to learn whether Motoza was one of them; but
he was not. All were strangers.
They were dressed much the same as the vagrant Sioux, and, like him,
their faces were painted, and their coarse black hair dangled loosely
about their shoulders. They were armed with rifles; but two of the
weapons seemed to be the long, old-fashioned muzzle-loaders, while the
third carried a Winchester. Although they emerged from the pines in
Indian file, they spread apart and walked beside one another to the edge
of the broad stream, where they stopped, as if that were the end of
their journey.
Their gestures showed they were talking energetically, though of course
not the slightest murmur reached the youths, who took care to screen
themselves from view while cautiously peeping forth. Even after the
warning words of their guide they felt no special alarm, for they
believed the red men were from the reservation near by, and would not
harm any one. If they attempted it, Jack and Fred felt they had the
advantage of position, sheltered behind the rocks, far above their
enemies, down upon whom they could fire with their Winchesters, should
the necessity arise.
It was quite certain that the three belonged to one of the hunting
parties whose signal-smoke the boys had seen earlier in the day. Their
action was curious. They did not look up the bank, so that the boys
might have been more careless without being discovered; but it was
apparent that two of them were arguing with the third, who was more
excited than either of his companions. Finally he turned away and made
as if to pass up the canyon, after the manner of Hank Hazletine. He
leaped out upon one of the rocks, then bounded as lightly to another,
and then to a third, which took him within the canyon. The others
watched him without protest or action.
Evidently the Indian who had started off so hurriedly was more impulsive
than his companions, for after his third leap he remained standing on
the rock; and, although it would have been easy for him to spring to the
next leading up the canyon, he refrained from doing do. Instead, he
looked around, and then deliberately rejoined his friends, who showed no
surprise over his reverse movement. They spoke only a few words to one
another, when they moved back in Indian file toward the growth of pines,
among which they passed from sight and were seen no more.
"That was a queer performance," remarked Jack; "it looked to me as if
that first fellow wanted his companions to go up the canyon with him,
and when they refused he started off by himself."
"Only to change his mind."
"There can be no doubt of that; but it strikes me as strange that there
should be something up there to attract them as well as Hank."
"Some day Hank will tell us about it. Do you observe, young man, that
the forenoon is well along and we haven't had a sight of any game?"
With no thought of the Indians whom they had just seen, the boys began
retracing their steps. Inasmuch as it was on the other side of the gorge
that they had gained the shot at the buck, the feeling was strong that
they should pass it again and push their hunt in that direction.
It did not require long to find a spot where the fissure was easily
leaped. In fact, the exploit was becoming quite an everyday thing with
them.
"We are not far from the spot where we killed that rattler yesterday,"
said Fred, recognizing several landmarks. "I wonder whether there are
any more near us----"
At that instant Fred uttered a gasp and leaped several feet from the
ground, while his companion was hardly a second behind him. Both had
heard the well-remembered whir at the same moment, and bounded away
several steps before pausing to look back.
Remarkable as it might seem, a second specimen of the _crotalus_, fully
as large as the other, lay on the flat surface of a rock only a few
inches above the ground. Evidently it was sunning itself when thus
disturbed by the approach of the young hunters, at sight of whom it
threw itself into coil. The boys were not in danger, for the warning was
sounded while they were still a number of paces distant.
Feeling safe, they stood still and surveyed the hideous thing. They
agreed that it was larger than the other, and seemed to be darker in
color. But for the fact that the reptiles were on opposite sides of the
canyon, it might be believed they were mates. The head and tail were
elevated, the latter vibrating with the swift, hazy appearance at the
end of the rattles which they had noted before.
Jack repeated the oft-quoted expression: "The heel of the woman shall
bruise the serpent's head," and added: "I suppose nine persons out of
every ten, when they see any kind of a snake, are seized with an impulse
to kill it."
"Even though many are harmless and useful."
"I think the best use you can put a rattlesnake to is to blow him into
smithereens, which is what I am going to do."
As he spoke, Jack brought his Winchester to a level and sighted
carefully at the pitted head of the serpent. He was deliberate, and did
not press the trigger until sure his aim was accurate to a hair.
Fred kept his eye on that head. At the instant the sharp crack of the
rifle rang out the frightful object vanished, and the long body broke
into fierce writhings. Jack had clipped off the head as neatly as if
with the blow of a scimitar, the bullet shattering the neck just below,
and at its narrowest portion.
"That's as well as I could have done myself," commented Fred, as his
friend lowered his weapon and watched the struggles of his victim, which
quickly ceased, for, as has been said, the _crotalus_ species is easily
killed, and when one of them has been decapitated he cannot keep up
appearances very long.
When it became certain the reptile was dead the boys drew near for a
closer inspection. They counted the rattles, which were seventeen in
number, proving the reptile of extraordinary size.
"We didn't think to count those of the other," said Fred, "but I am sure
it was not so large as this."
"No; but I wonder whether we are going to stumble over them at every
step?"
"This is only the second one; we may not see another for a week."
"I hope we shall not; but so long as they are kind enough to give us
notice of their intentions we ought to be able to avoid their bites."
It looked as if their experience of the previous day was to be repeated,
for within a hundred yards from the spot an animal was discovered on a
rock, a considerable distance above them. Fred was the first to see it,
and exclaimed:
"There's another buck, Jack! It's your turn."
But before Jack could bring his weapon to a level the animal saw them
and was off like a flash. In fact they had no more than a glimpse of
it--barely enough to see that it had no antlers, and probably was not a
deer at all.
"It isn't going to be as easy work as we thought," said Fred; "I
shouldn't be surprised if we fail to get a shot to-day."
"Well, we shall have the fun of tramping ourselves tired. It seems to me
that when any sort of game shows itself it comes out in plain sight and
is not scared up by us. Let's sit down a while and watch things around
us."
This singular proposal was acted upon. After picking their way some
distance further among the rocks they chose a seat, and then looked
searchingly here and there at the different elevations and prominent
points, in the hope of catching sight of some game which would give them
a shot before dashing off with headlong haste.
"Right over that part of the mountain peak yonder," said Jack, pointing
at the place, "I saw the moon rise last night. I have watched it come
out of the ocean many a time, but never saw anything so beautiful
before."
He described as best he could the impressive scene, while Fred listened,
and for the first time felt regret that he had not been awakened that
he, too, might have enjoyed the view.
When he had studied the mountain peak for some minutes, he raised his
glass and surveyed it steadily for a while longer.
"I thought so," he remarked; "turn your glass, Jack, in that direction."
Jack did as requested, and saw to what his comrade referred. Perched on
the highest portion was an immense gray-headed eagle. Sailing thither
from the depths of space, he had paused for a while, with the grand view
spread out before him, and what a view it must have been!
It was easy to identify the bird with the aid of their glasses, which
were kept pointed for some time at him.
"I wonder whether he sees us?" said Fred.
"There can be no doubt of it, for their eyes detect the smallest object
on a landscape. He is probably studying us with as much interest as we
are watching him."
"Our rifles couldn't carry a ball half-way to him."
"And what if they could? Would you wish to harm the emblem of our
country?"
"No; unless he attacked us, which I don't think is likely. Halloo!"
Just then the immense bird spread his wings and began skimming through
the air with majestic grace. More than that, he was coming in the
direction of the boys.
"I believe he means to make a meal off of us!" exclaimed Fred; "we would
better be ready for him."
"There's nothing to be frightened at. If he intends to attack us we have
only to wait until he is near, when we can puncture him."
If the king of birds held any such intention he changed his mind.
Swooping far across the intervening space, seemingly aiming straight at
them, he suddenly changed his course, and, ascending high in the sky,
swept around in a wide circle and finally disappeared over the peak
where first seen.
The boys sat for a while in silence, gazing away in the distance, where
the noble bird had vanished, half-expecting it to reappear and probably
press its attack; but it had taken its flight for good and was seen no
more.
"I wonder whether we would have done any better if we had brought a dog
with us?" said Jack, beginning to feel a trifle discouraged over their
failure to secure a shot at any game.
"I proposed bringing my dog, you remember, when we left home, but you
thought we could do better out here. Hank and the rest of them don't
seem to place much value on the animals in hunting. Did you hear that?"
From some point not very far off came the report of a rifle, though
whether it was the weapon of Hank Hazletine or one of the Indians that
had been discharged, neither could guess.
"Somebody else is in luck, and I don't see why we should not----"
Before Fred could finish his sentence both heard the rustling of bushes
behind them. They turned on the instant, and saw a sight which held them
transfixed, for never had they expected to view anything of the kind.
They had read and heard much of grizzly bears. They knew they grew to an
enormous size, and are the most formidable animals found in the great
West, but had they been told that there were such monsters as the one
before them they could not have believed it had it been related by
Hazletine himself.
To Jack and Fred he seemed fully four times the size of the largest
black bear they had ever seen in any zoological garden. Had his legs
been longer, Fred Greenwood would have pronounced him the equal of Jumbo
himself.
Where this Colossus among beasts had come from it was impossible to say,
but the terrifying fact was self-evident that he was advancing to attack
the boys!
He must have caught sight of them as they sat on the rock with their
backs toward him, and, angered at the intrusion, he was sweeping down
upon them like a cyclone, furious and determined to crush them out of
existence.
[Illustration: "He was sweeping down upon them like a cyclone."]
The gait of the animal was awkward, but speedier even than the youths
suspected. He swung along with a swaying motion, and his claws, striking
the flinty rocks as he passed over them, rattled like iron nails. His
vast mouth was open, his long red tongue lolling out, and his white
teeth gleaming. As if no element of terror was to be omitted he uttered
a deep, cavernous growl at every step or two, while his comparatively
small black eyes seemed to glow with a savage light, altogether foreign
to the species.
All this was taken in at the first glance of the boys, who, petrified
for one moment, realized in the next their fearful peril.
"There's no time to shoot!" exclaimed Jack; "we must run!"
"But he can run faster than we!" replied Fred, who stood his ground long
enough to bring his Winchester to his shoulder and let fly straight at
the front of the beast. That he struck the bear was certain, but it
served only to add to his towering rage, and he plunged forward without
halt.
Jack had made no attempt to fire, but was running at headlong speed.
Fred was eager to thrust another cartridge into the chamber of his
Winchester from the magazine, but to do so would detain him until old
Ephraim was upon him, and even then it was not likely the bullet would
stay or affect his attack.
Accordingly, instead of firing a second shot he whirled about and dashed
after Jack, who was thus placed about a rod in advance. Although the
ground was not favorable for running, it may be safely said that neither
Jack Dudley nor Fred Greenwood ever gave such an exhibition of speed.
They held fast to their rifles, for it looked as if the weapons were to
be their final reliance.
Fred glanced over his shoulder to learn how he was making out in the
race. With an awful sinking he saw that the grizzly was gaining fast
upon him. Still he dared not pause long enough to fire, but redoubled
his energies, only to catch his foot in a running vine and plunge
forward on his face.