Hazletine,
rousing himself; "there's plenty of other game left, and it'll last
longer than any of us, but it don't make the killing of the buffaloes
any better. We're likely to find a good many animals that I haven't told
you 'bout and that I don't think of."

"How is it, Hank, that you don't keep any dogs?"

"'Cause they're no use. The hunters from the East seem to think they
must have a dozen or more sniffing at their heels, but I don't like 'em.
We had a big hound a couple of years ago that I took with me on a hunt.
The first critter we scared up was a cinnamon bear, and that dog hadn't
any more sense than to go straight for him. Wal," grinned Hank, "we
haven't had any dog since that time."

CHAPTER VII.

THE FIRST GAME.

It was an ideal day for hunting among the mountains. The sun shone from
an unclouded sky, and the air had just enough crispness to make exercise
enjoyable. In short, it was a perfect copy of that day which saw the V.
W. W. start from Fort Steele on their long ride northward to Bowman's
ranch.

The other cowmen would have been glad to join in the hunt, but they
could not be spared from duty. Thus it came about that, as in the first
instance, Hank Hazletine was the guide and only companion of Jack Dudley
and Fred Greenwood on that which was destined to prove the most
memorable hunt of their lives.

The three had ridden briskly through a part of the foot-hills until they
reached the more elevated portion, when the hunter led the way up a
winding trail until, early in the afternoon, they arrived at what may be
called the limit of "horse navigation," which is to say their ponies
could give them no more help, since the way was too broken for them to
climb further.

Accordingly the three dismounted and removed all the trappings of the
animals. Hazletine was so familiar with the country that he came to this
favored spot without mistake or hesitation. It was a broad, irregular
inclosure, in the form of a grassy plateau, where grass grew abundantly,
and was walled in on nearly every side by immense rocks and boulders. A
tiny stream of icy water wound along one side, disappearing at a corner
among the rocks, which were so craggy and eccentric in their formation
that a cavity or partial cavern was found, in which the party placed
their bridles, saddles and blankets, and which was capable of giving
them shelter against the most furiously driving rain-storm.

"Surely we couldn't have found a