in there," said Abe Blower.

"No, somebody has got to stay here an' watch the hosses," answered Tom
Dillon.

A brief discussion followed, and it was agreed that Abe Blower and Roger
and Dave should go down into the opening, leaving Tom Dillon and Phil to
guard the animals and the camping outfit. Possibly the shipowner's son
was disappointed by this arrangement, but if so he did not show it.

"It might not take more'n a few minutes to look into the cave," said Abe
Blower. "An' then ag'in, it might take some hours. But, no matter how
big the hole is, we won't be gone more'n two hours, Tom;" and so it was
decided.

As they entered the cave--for such it really proved to be--they held
their torches over their heads and looked anxiously for the mountain
lion.

"I don't see anything of his majesty," said Roger, in almost a whisper,
for the strange adventure had set his nerves on an edge.

"Oh, I suppose he had life enough left to crawl quite a distance,"
answered Dave.

The cave was irregular in shape, forming something of an underground
split in the rocks. The flooring led steadily downward, with here and
there an opening of unknown depth.

"A good place to prospect," said Abe Blower, as he flashed his torch
over the rocky walls.

"Do you imagine there is gold in those rocks?" asked Dave.

"Might be, lad, an' silver, too. But there might not be enough to make
it pay to git it out."

"I see the mountain lion!" cried Roger, a minute later. "There he is, in
yonder corner, in his den. And look, it's his mate!"

All gazed and not far distant beheld a scene that touched their hearts.
On the rocks lay the dead lion and over him stood his mate, licking his
face with her rough tongue.

"Look out!" cried Abe Blower, and drew his horse-pistol--a companion
weapon to that carried by Tom Dillon. "She'll come fer us, sure!"

The old miner was right. Swiftly the lioness turned, and set up a savage
roar that echoed and reechoed throughout the cavern. Then, in spite of
the torches--for all savage beasts are afraid of fire--she prepared to
fight those she felt had slain the one she loved.

It was Abe Blower who fired first, and scarcely had the sound of the
shot died away when Roger and Dave pulled trigger. Over and over whirled
the lioness, and then of a sudden struck one of the wide cracks in the
flooring of the cave and disappeared from view. They heard the body
strike on some rocks far below; and then all became silent.