tracks
again and kept on going until the steep cliffs of the mountain were
reached. Here he became very watchful, for at any moment a panther or
bear might pounce upon him.

Mike was prepared to battle with the mate of the old she-bear if
necessary, but he thought it likely that the bear had followed his mate,
in search of food for the cubs. If he had, he would most likely get
caught in the trap also. If he was about the cave, Mike would have his
hands full in smoking him out, or in watching for him and shooting him
when he found him.

The trapper surely was favored that day, for he soon found the trail
that led to a large cave in the side of the cliffs, and after careful
investigation, found that tracks of both bears led down the mountain
side, but that none returned. He lit a torch of resinous wood and crept
carefully toward the cave.

He looked all about and laid his ear to the ground to ascertain if
anything were approaching. Finding all quiet, except a faint rustle of
leaves in the cave, Mike poked the long pole, with the torch at the end,
ahead of him into the cave.

After following the winding tunnel for some yards, he suddenly came out
into an open space about seven feet wide, and five feet high in the
middle. He had to stoop to get in and, when his eyes grew accustomed to
the circle of light thrown upon the walls of the cave, he saw two fat
little cubs curled up in a bed of dried leaves and twigs. He planted
the torch against the wall and turning over one little cub he found they
were both fast asleep--probably had not yet opened their eyes since they
were born. As Mike had to bring both away to keep them from starving, he
slung his rifle over his back and took a little cub under each arm. He
started out of the cave very carefully, on guard against the old fellow
who might come in at any time. But there was no obstacle to his getting
down the side of the mountain quickly and along the trail by which he
came.

The little cubs shivered slightly and curled up closer to Mike's side,
and he chuckled over them as he thought of the surprise they would
receive at camp.

Mike avoided the trail after he reached familiar woods and struck off
across the forest for camp. His gun had to be slung upright at his back
to permit his passage between trees, but he soon came out upon the
road-cut and then it was easy walking The fat little cubs felt heavy
before Mike reached camp and Mike was only too thankful to deposit t