"My gracious!" said Fred, as they came to a halt; "in the face of all
that Hank told us, we have lost our way!"

"It has that look," replied Jack, removing his hat and drawing his
handkerchief across his moist forehead; "but I don't see that it is such
a serious thing, after all. We can spend the night here as well as
anywhere."

"What will Hank think, when he goes to camp to meet us?"

"I reckon he'll not be disappointed; besides, we can't be far from the
place, and can look it up to-morrow."

"I don't suppose it will hurt us to build a fire among these rocks and
spend the night; but the air is pretty cool and we shall miss our
blankets."

"Old hunters like ourselves must become used to such things,"
complacently observed Jack, who began preparations at the same moment
for carrying out his own proposal. It was no trouble to find enough
brush and wood to serve them, and they had brought such a goodly supply
of matches from the ranch in their rubber safes that they soon had a
vigorous fire going, over which they broiled their venison.

The meal of itself would not have been enjoyable at their home, for it
was too "new," lacking a certain tenderness that forms one of its chief
attractions. Besides, it was unavoidably scorched in the preparation;
but the mixed pepper and salt sprinkled over it improved the flavor. But
the great thing was their insatiate appetites, for it is a homely truth
that there is no sauce like hunger. So it came about that they not only
made a nourishing meal, but had enough left to serve them in the
morning.

It was fully dark when the repast was finished. The fire had been
started against the face of a boulder, and only a small quantity of wood
remained--not sufficient to last half through the night. With the going
down of the sun the air became colder. It seemed at times as if a breath
of wind from the snowy peaks reached them, and it caused an involuntary
shiver. The prospect of remaining where they were through the dismal
hours of darkness was anything but cheering.

"Jack," suddenly said Fred in a guarded undertone, "there's some wild
animal near us."

"How can you know that?"

"I heard him moving about."

"In what direction?"

"Just beyond the ridge there. Hark! Didn't you hear it?"

"You are right," whispered Jack; "let's find out what it is."

Gun in hand, they moved stealthily up the slight ridge near by. It was
only a few feet in height. Their experience had taught them t