TER XXVI.

Disappearance of Slavin

"What's that?"

The exclamation came from Allen as he broke off short in his
conversation with Watson.

The cry from Noel had reached his ears and the cry was quickly followed
by the first of the pistol shots.

"He's in trouble, thet's wot!" cried the old hunter. "Hark, thar's
another shot!"

He bounded back to the camp fire, but quick as was his movement, Allen
was ahead of him. Both felt that Noel's peril must be extreme.

"Get a torch!" cried Watson, and caught up a burning brand.

"What of Slavin?" questioned Allen, but then, as the second shot rang
out, he waited no longer, but with a torch in one hand and his gun in
the other, he darted up the rocky steps as fast as he could. Watson was
beside him, with pistol drawn, his gun resting on the side of the cave
below.

It took but a few seconds to gain the vicinity of the little waterfall
but before they came up they heard the third shot and another yell from
Noel.

"My gracious!" burst from Allen's throat, as he beheld the awful scene.

Noel was lying partly on his back, with one foot pressed against the
wolverine's stomach. The wild beast still held the young man by the arm.

Allen realized that whatever good was to be done must be done instantly,
and without stopping to think twice he blazed away at the wolverine,
twice in quick succession. Watson likewise fired, and the creature was
struck each time. With a yelp that was almost human the wolverine
turned, let go his hold on Noel, and leaped for Allen.

"Take care!" yelled Watson, and then fired another shot, just as the
wolverine, unable to reach Allen's throat, made a clutch at his left
leg. The shot from the old hunter took the beast directly in the right
eye, piercing his brain, and he fell over like a lump of lead, to move
no more.

"A close shave fer ye," remarked Watson, when he saw that Allen was
uninjured. "A big one, too," he went on, shoving the wolverine with his
foot. "How are ye, Urner?"

"I--I guess I am not much hurt!" gasped Noel, when he felt able to
speak. "The beast bit me in the arm though."

"It's lucky he wasn't after gittin' at yer throat. I knowed a man onct
as got a nip in the throat from a wolverine that made him pass in his
checks then an' thar."

"It was a terrible encounter! I thought I was a goner sure."

"Didn't you have a torch?" questioned Allen.

"I did, but the water struck it and put it out."

"The darkness was what