tion, and that it was the food
in the packs the bear craved, rather than his life; but he did not seem
to realize the fact.

They had seen him fumbling about his sash, and now he drew something
forth that glistened in the early morning sun. Why, the little chap
had actually drawn his knife, as though that trifling bit of steel
could avail anything more than the prick of a pin against that shaggy
monster.

The boy was shivering as with terror, but all the same he showed
himself game. Frank was amazed by the sight, and not apt to forget it
in a hurry.

But by now Bob had stepped forward, uttering a sharp "hello" as he did
so. His object, of course, was to attract the attention of the bear
toward himself. This might cause the grizzly to change his course, and
allow of a few more seconds' delay. It would also divert the attack
from the helpless boy to one who was at least better armed, even though
not professing to be a bear-hunter.

Frank aroused himself. He remembered that he, too, had a repeating
rifle, leaning against the trunk of a tree not far off. He sprang to
secure the firearm, in the belief that possibly his assistance would be
needed in order to finish the dreaded animal.

However good Bob's intentions were, when he sought to draw the
attention of the grizzly toward himself, they did not succeed as he had
hoped. Bruin seemed to know that a feast awaited him as soon as he
could clear a way to that frantic little burro with the big load. And
he declined to be turned aside on any account.

Seeing this, the Kentucky boy dropped on one knee. He felt that he
must find some sort of rest for his gun, since his shaking hands could
hardly be expected to hold the weapon steady when it came time to pull
the trigger.

Even as Frank swept up his gun he heard the weapon of his chum speak
sharply. The report was instantly drowned in a tremendous roar.
Looking, even as he drew back the hammer of his rifle, Frank saw that
the bear had finally turned away from temptation in the way of meat and
supplies. He had started to rush Bob, whom he evidently recognized as
the cause of that sudden pain which had shot through his bulky body.

Bob was pumping another cartridge into the firing chamber of his
repeater. He seemed cool, although perhaps only he himself knew how
his heart was pounding away like mad against his ribs.

Both guns spoke together, it seemed. The grizzly gave another roar,
even more furious than