Frank found that all Reddy meant to do was to hang the two elk up, after they had cut some choice portions for immediate use.  The other cowboys would come with the horses, on their way down the river, on the morrow, and secure the game.

“We got fooled out of elk steaks once and don’t mean to again, I tell you,” said Jerry, as he shouldered his portion of the load.

So they returned to camp.

“What’s this?” said Mr. Mabie as they came filing in.  “Back already, and only out two hours?  Got some meat, too, I see.  That’s good.  Such appetites as you boys are developing threaten to eat us out of house and home soon, unless we eke out with game.  Who cut up the elk?”

“The boys all took a hand.  They wanted to learn,” smiled Reddy.

“I kind of thought they had,” nodded the stockman, who could easily see that it was not the work of an experienced hand.

Bluff failed to catch the twinkle of humor in the other’s eyes.

“Yes, and I could have made even a better job if I’d had the knife along I foolishly went and left at home,” he remarked disconsolately, whereat Jerry, Will and Frank exchanged looks, and shrugged their shoulders, but said nothing; for in a case of that kind words are useless.

They were all very enthusiastic that night over the feast.  The cook had dutifully pounded the steaks before placing the same on the fire, so that if they seemed tough it was not his fault.

The meat, however, was sweet and tasty; and besides, with hunger serving as the best-known sauce, who could complain?

Bluff kept on the lookout for the mate of his panther, but if the old fellow was prowling around he had more discretion than to show himself while these hunters were near by.

With the morning the camp was to be abandoned.  Tents came down while they were eating breakfast, and everything was packed away in as small a compass as possible, for carrying on the backs of the pack horses, which were brought in from the pen, or corral, where they had been kept all this while, in charge of a guard.

The three bullboats awaited the adventurous ones.  These were of the type much used in this far region of the Northwest, being fashioned of tough hides of bulls, and impervious to water.

Besides their guns, which were strapped to their backs, the voyagers carried little or nothing.  In case of an upset they did not stand to worry over anything except saving their own lives.

So they quitted the camp under the cataract, where they had spent several very enjoyable days.

  [Illustration:  IMMEDIATELY THE TWO ADVENTUROUS CRUISERS WERE IN THE
  RAPIDS.—­Page 141.
  The Outdoor Chums After Big Game.]

Swiftly they descended the stream for several miles.  Then, according to agreement, they hauled in at the head of the rapids for a little rest and consultation before making the riffle.