“That’s just what you’re going to see.  I sent word that he was not to be hurt until we arrived.  Horses are being hitched up for us all.  I suppose you can ride, boys?” inquired the owner of the ranch.

“To a certain extent, though I suppose your cowboys will think us pretty punky at it,” answered Jerry.

“But we mean to learn everything we can while here,” piped up Bluff earnestly.

“Good for you!  These horses are only old plugs, however, so there’s no fear of them running away with you; and here they come.”

Several cowboys came toward them, each leading a number of horses.  Frank thought that for “old plugs,” the four intended for himself and chums possessed considerable of the fire that had animated them in other years.

“Up you go, boys.  Take your pick.  Then we’re off.”

Each seized upon the nearest animal, and, making use of the stirrup, threw himself into the saddle.  As Jerry had said, all of them had frequently ridden at home, and indeed considered that they knew as much about a saddle as the average boy of the East; but that amounted to very little out here, where every one almost lived upon the back of a broncho.

“Wow!  But this is going some!” said Jerry as the whole group dashed madly up the valley.

“I only hope I don’t lose my camera in the rush,” came from Will, who was having troubles of his own in the rear.

“Look ahead, fellows!  You can see what’s going on, now!” called Frank, who kept alongside the ranchman in the lead.

“Why, there’s the bear, as sure as you live!” Bluff gasped.

“But what’s he trying to do?  First he rushes one way, and then turns around to make a bolt at the other side.  He must be getting rattled.”

“Don’t you see, Jerry, they’ve got him lassoed?  He wants to tackle any one of those three cowboys, but he just can’t, with as many ropes pulling him in three directions.”

“Talk to me about that, will you, Frank!” cried Jerry.  “I never expected to see a grizzly bear held up in a rope like a steer.  Look at the game little ponies on their haunches, and holding like fun.  They seem somewhat scared, too, pard.  Between you and me, I don’t blame ’em a bit.  I’d hate to think that big beast was aiming to get a grip on me.”

It was just as Jerry said.  The cowboys had headed the grizzly off so that he was unable to gain the safety of the wild mountain gorges.  Doubtless he had been loth to leave his prey at the approach of the riders, and this had contributed to his final undoing.

One after another three of them had dropped their ropes over the head of the grizzly as he reared himself on his hind legs.  The lariats stretched like piano wires under the strain, and as the cowboys had taken up positions in a sort of triangle they could keep the bear from making any sort of rush.

“Watch and see the fun,” said Mr. Mabie, who had made sure to fetch his rifle along when coming from the ranch house; but he did not seem in any hurry to utilize the same.