oof of
the cabin.

The gun trap was so successful that they baited it again and
again, securing three more cougars, until the animals became too
wary to try for the bait. The fourth cougar did not sustain a
severe wound and fled up the mountain side, but Dick tracked him
by the trail of blood that he left, overtook him far up the
slope, and slew him with single shot. All these skins were added
to their collection, and when the last was spread out to dry,
Dick spoke of the plan that he had in mind.

"Al," he said, "these mountains, or at least this corner of them,
seem to be left to us. The Sioux, I suppose, are on the warpath
elsewhere, and they don't like mountains much, anyhow. Our
wonderful valley, the slopes, and all the ravines and canyons are
full of game. The beaver must be abundant farther in, and I
propose that we use our opportunity and turn fur hunters.
There's wealth around us for the taking, and we were never sure
of it in California. We've got enough ammunition to last us two
years if we want to stay that long. Besides, Al, old boy, the
valley has been the remaking of you. You know that."

Albert laughed from sheer delight.

"Dick," he said, "you won't have to get a gun and threaten me
with death unless I stay. I'll be glad to be a fur hunter, and,
Dick, I tell you, I'm in love with this valley. As you say, it's
made me over again, and oh, it's fine to be well and strong, to
do what you please, and not always to be thinking, 'how can I
stand this? Will it hurt me?'"

"Then," said Dick, "it's settled. We'll not think for a long
time of getting back to civilization, but devote ourselves to
gathering up furs and skins."

Chapter IX
The Timber Wolves

The cold increased, although snow fell but little, which Dick
considered good luck, chiefly on Albert's account. He wanted the
hardening process to continue and not to be checked by thaws and
permeating dampness. Meanwhile, they plunged with all the energy
and fire of youth into the task of fur hunting. They had already
done much in that respect, but now it was undertaken as a
vocation. They became less scrupulous about sparing the
buffaloes, and they shot more than twenty in the defiles of the
mountains, gathering a fine lot of robes. Several more skins of
the bear, grizzly, and silver tip were added to their collection,
and the elk also furnished an additional store. Many wolverines
were taken in dead falls and snares, and t