only by a thread of sinew.

Nor had bruin escaped without hurt, as all could see when he floundered
out of the water, bent upon renewing the duel; but there was little room
left for doubting what the ultimate result would be were the animals
left to their own devices.

Like all bold, free-hearted lads, Waldo ever sympathised with the
weaker, and now, unable to hold his feelings in check, he gave a short
cry, levelling his Winchester and opening fire upon the grizzly, just as
it won fairly clear of the water.

Stung to fury by those pellets, the brute reared up with a horrid roar,
turning as though to charge this new enemy; but ere he could do more,
the professor's gun spoke, and as the dynamite shell exploded, bruin
fell back a writhing mass, his head literally smashed to pieces.

Heedless of all else, the wounded buffalo charged with lusty bellow,
goring that quivering mass with unabated fury, though its life was
clearly leaking out through those ghastly cuts and slashes.

A brief pause, then Professor Featherwit swiftly reloaded his gun,
sending another shell across the stream, this time more as a boon than
as punishment.

Smitten fairly in the forehead, the bull dropped as though beneath a
bolt of lightning, life going out without so much as a single struggle
or a single pang.

"Twas better thus," declared the professor, as Waldo gave a little
ejaculation of dismay. "He must have bled to death in a short time, and
this was true mercy. Besides, buffalo meat is very good eating, and the
day may come when we shall need all we can get. Who knows?"

After the animals were inspected, and due comment made upon the awfully
sure work wrought by the dynamite gun, the professor suggested that,
while he was completing repairs upon the aeromotor, the brothers should
secure a supply of fish and of flesh, cooking sufficient to provide for
several meals, for there was no telling just when they would have an
equal chance.

"Just as soon as we can put all in readiness," he continued, "I am going
to leave this spot. My first wish is to thoroughly test the aerostat,
to make certain it has received no serious injury. Then, if all promises
well, I mean to begin our tour of exploration, hoping that we may, at
least, find something well worthy the strange reputation given these
Olympics by the natives."

Without raising any objections, the brothers fell to work, Bruno looking
after the flesh, while Waldo undertook to supply the