surely, as each bullet found a billet
in a different animal.

The race was checked, but not yet effectually, though the Skipper had
now more time to pick off the leaders as they scrambled over their
brethren--only to fall victims to the sharp-shooter and help to build up
a barrier to impede the others.

It was now a terrible sight of animals in desperation.

There were a hundred mountain sheep at least, and they were scrambling
in a dense mass, trying vainly to advance--fighting, struggling,
tumbling down the slope in mad confusion. Now and then one would have a
momentary success and almost cross the barrier; then the deadly rifle
would again send its message--and the barrier would be raised by one
victim more.

Meantime, faithful to their charge, the boys kept their attention to the
rear of the herd, but the dust was so dense that they could barely
discern the hindmost animals.

Then Bob suddenly exclaimed--

"Look out!"

But Alf had been equally ready. A rifle and a gun darted up to each
boy's shoulder at the same instant; a simultaneous explosion came like
one from both weapons. Then followed a roar like a miniature
thunder-peal, and a brown grizzly was seen to shoot down the declivity
in pursuit of the poor sheep that he had driven to destruction in such
numbers.

"Bravo!" shouted Mackintosh, letting go his feelings in a wild whoop of
exultation. "A grand shot, lads!"

"I guess his day's work is done," returned Alf quietly, though he was
none the less delighted with his own and his chum's success.

Finding that the fierce pursuit had ceased, the few remaining sheep
turned on the retreat, since they found it impossible to advance
farther. Then the adventurers proceeded on their way, though they, in
their turn, found it impossible to pass the barrier, and some time had
to be expended in carefully tumbling the carcases down the slope. But
soon the work was successfully accomplished, and the path once more
clear to permit the three comrades to pursue their urgent course.

CHAPTER XIX

THUNDER-MAKER'S DOWNFALL

During the rest of the journey through the hills and along Trapper's
Pass, no further accidents occurred to hinder progress, and once free of
the hills the trail was level and across a stretch of prairie.

Towards night the Pleasant Valley was reached, and the three travellers
descended to the part of the river known to trappers as the Old
Crossing, though it was a ford where no water fl