orches."

"Whew! then he means that we're to go into the cave, and get our
game--is that it, Frank?" demanded the other, unconsciously tightening
his grip on his rifle, as he glanced once more toward that yawning
crevice, leading to unknown depths, where the wolf pack lurked during
the daytime to issue forth when night came around.

"That would be just like the old chap, for he knows nothing of fear,"
Frank replied; "but of course there's no necessity for _both_ of us to
go with him. One might remain here, so as to knock over any stray beast
that managed to escape the attention of those who went in."

"All right; where will you take up your stand, Frank?" asked Bob,
instantly; at which his chum laughed, as though tickled.

"So you think I'd consent to stay out here tamely, while you two were
having a regular circus in there?" he remarked. "That would never suit
me. And it's easy to see that you count on a ticket of admission to
Sallie's parlor, too. Well, then, we'll all go, and share in the danger,
as well as the sport. For to rid the range country of this pest I
consider the greatest favor under the sun. But there comes Hank with a
bundle of torches under his arm."

"We're off, then!" chuckled Bob.

"Make sure o' yer guns, lads," said the cowman, as he came up; "because,
in a case like this, when ye want t' shoot it's apt t' be in a hurry.
An' anybody as knows what a fierce critter ole Sallie is, kin tell ye
it'll take an ounce of lead, put in the right place, t' down her fur
keeps."

"I'm ready," Frank assured the old hunter.

"Then, jest as soon's I kin git this flare goin' we'll push in." Hank
announced.

"Will we be able to see the game with such a poor light?" asked Bob, a
trifle nervously, as his mind went back to school days, to remember what
he had read of that old Revolutionary patriot, Israel Putnam, entering a
wolf's den alone, and killing the beast in open fight; truth to tell Bob
had never seen a real den in which wild beasts hid from the sun; and
imagination doubled its perils in his mind.

"Fust thing ye see'll be some yaller eyes starin' at ye outen the
dark," said Hank, obligingly. "Then, when I gives the word, both of ye
let go, aimin' direct atween the yaller spots."

"But what if we miss, and the beast attacks us?" Bob went on, wishing to
be thoroughly posted before venturing into that hole.

"In case of a mix-up," the veteran went on; "every feller is for
hisself; only, recerlect th