s."

"Hadn't we better try and follow up the brute with the lanthorn?"

"I should say not," was the reply. "If he's only wounded he must be
lying up savage-like, and as soon as he sees the light he'll show fight.
If he's badly hurt he may have gone on till he drops, and be nearly
dead by now."

"But we can't lie down and go to sleep again after this."

"Well, no, sir," said Griggs coolly; "it don't sound tempting."

"Then you would try and track the brute?"

"Yes, when the sun's up, sir."

"But what shall we do now?"

"Well," said the American, as coolly as could be, "seems to me that this
is just a nice suitable time to sit round the lanthorn and tell bear
stories."

"What!" cried the doctor.

"Tell bear stories, sir. Young Chris here might begin by telling his
experience over again with all the flourishes, crosses, and dots that he
left out. He didn't half tell it, I think."

"Oh, that's absurd," said Wilton. "By the way, though, I didn't hear a
sound till Chris fired."

"Hadn't dropped asleep, had you?" said Griggs banteringly.

"No, certainly not," said Wilton, angrily.

"Here, every one look to his rifle," said the doctor, "and we'll sit
together and watch and listen. The brute may come back."

This was done in silence for some time, when their patience getting
exhausted, remarks were made about the ponies and mules, and wonder was
expressed about their not having stampeded.

"Say," said Griggs suddenly, "I forgot all about them. Where are they?"

"Feeding about somewhere, quietly," said the doctor.

"I don't know so much about that," cried Griggs. "P'r'aps one of you
will come with me and the lanthorn, and we'll see. I can't hear any of
them grass-chopping. Will you come with me, Chris, or have you been too
much shook up?"

"Oh, I'll come," said Chris quietly. "I don't think I've been too much
`shook up.'"

In a few minutes the lanthorn was seen lighting up the rocks and trees
in the direction of the best pasturage, where the cattle had been left;
and those left in camp watched till it disappeared, waiting anxiously
till the light was in sight again, and finally came up to where the
glowing embers kept on brightening and dying out again as the soft
breeze blew down the gully from time to time.

"Can't see or hear anything of the animals," said Griggs, at last, as he
strode up with the light. "Ain't heard any more of Mr B'ar, have you?"

"No," was the reply.

"They were scar