They headed in a quarter where, as yet, none of the boys had been.  This led them directly into the thickets that lay at the base of the mountain barrier, stretching away up against the blue heavens.

None of the chums had forgotten the fierce appearance of the grizzly that had fallen before the rifle which Jerry wielded so cleverly.

“Remember, lads,” said Mr. Mabie, as they trailed along through rocky gulches, “every Mountain Charlie isn’t going to keel over as easily as the one Jerry got.  He was lucky to send his lead to a vital point.  I’ve seen veteran hunters shoot a bear a dozen times, and then have to finish him with a knife.”

“I’ve always read that they can stand a tremendous amount of shooting without caving under,” admitted Frank.

“And it isn’t considered at all disgraceful, when stirring such a terrible monster out of his den, for the hunters to post themselves in trees near by.  While at first blush such a procedure might seem silly or cowardly to you, take an old hunter’s advice, and give the rascal no more chance than you can help.  Even then I’ve known him to shake a fellow out of a small tree, and only for the assistance of the others he must have killed the youngster.”

“A grizzly can’t climb a tree, then, sir?” questioned Will uneasily.

“Not ordinarily.  He might manage to swarm up if the trunk was inclined about forty-five degrees.  Select straight ones, and of some size; then you’re safe.”

“Thank you, Mr. Mabie.  I’ll follow your advice.  You see, I’m only the photographer of the club, and they could hardly afford to lose me,” remarked Will, thinking some sort of an apology might be necessary for his seeming timidity.

But the others did not laugh.  They knew their chum too well for that.  He had proven more than once that when it came to a pinch he could conquer his natural weakness, and show the right spirit of bravery, especially if it were one of his comrades who was in peril.

“Well,” remarked Reddy a short time later, “we’re close to the place now.”

“I imagined as much,” said Mr. Mabie, with a significant look around.

“You mean that this is an ideal spot for a grizzly to have his den?” asked Jerry.

“Fine.  Look at the tumbled-down rocks, making many a cave that affords shelter from the elements, winter and summer.  Then, of course, the old rascal has a nice short cut through some canyon to the open country.  He uses that when he feels sharp set for veal.  Oh, yes, I’ve no doubt he’s been the cause of many a calf disappearing from the herd,” said the stockman between his teeth.

“I don’t wonder, then, you are so keen at wanting to get rid of all such neighbors as grizzlies, panthers and wolves.  They make an expensive boarding-house,” laughed Bluff.

“They take their toll right along.  This region would be a paradise for a stockman only for that.  The grass is heavy, and while the winters are severe, we know how to carry our stock over; but we can never calculate our profits, because of the losses on account of hungry wild beasts.”