hunters, even when in large parties, are often chased by a single bear
of this kind, after each of them had given him a shot; for as many as
twenty bullets have been fired into the body of a grizzly bear without
bringing him to the ground. All these facts came into the minds of our
boy hunters at the moment. No wonder they felt fear.

They were in a most perilous situation. The bears occupied the ravine.
There was no other path by which they could get down to their horses.
They had gone almost quite round the butte in their morning search.
They had seen that it was precipitous on all sides, and they had since
observed that the space between the ravine and their point of starting
was the same. How, then, were they to get back to camp? There was no
way but one--_down_ the ravine--and the bears would be certain to attack
them should they attempt to descend that way.

The boys gazed at each other with terrified looks, repeating what they
had to say in muttered whispers. All three well understood the danger
of their position. Would the bears, after they had satisfied their
hunger, go off and leave the ravine? No. The cave, which had been
noticed, was their lair, beyond a doubt. Even if they should enter it,
what certainty was there that they would not rush out upon the boys as
they were clambering down? If so, they would easily overcome the latter
among the loose rocks and bushes. One or all would fall a sacrifice
should they attempt to descend. Might the bears not go out upon the
plain? Perhaps they might go out as far as the spring, either for
water, or led by some other want. But even so, they would then be able
to see the hunters coming down, and could easily overtake them before
the latter could reach the camp, or their horses. The horses had been
set loose, and were now a good distance off upon the prairie. There was
but little consolation in this thought, and less in that which occurred
to them next; which was that the fierce brutes might not be satisfied at
what they had eaten, but might take it into their heads to clamber up to
the summit in search of more! This apprehension was the most fearful of
all--as the boys knew that there was no place upon the table where they
could long conceal themselves; and to get down, if once discovered and
pursued, would be utterly impossible.

Filled with these appalling thoughts, they crouched upon their hands and
knees, now peering cautiously through the leave