in a savage growl. "They've
gone on jumping down like that right to the bottom, Master Bart, and--"

"Is that the flock?" said Bart, pointing to where a similar wall of rock
rose up from what seemed to be part of a great canyon.

"That's them," said Joses, counting, "eight, nine, ten, eleven, and all
as fresh as if they'd never made a jump. There, I'll believe anything
of 'em after that."

"Why, it makes one shudder to look down," said Bart, shrinking back.

"Shudder!" said Joses, "why, I'd have starved a hundred times before I'd
have made a jump like that. No mutton for dinner to-day, boys. Let's
get some birds."

And very disconsolately and birdless, they made their way back to the
camp.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

BEARS AND FOR BEARS.

Bart was sufficiently observing to notice, even amidst the many calls he
had upon his attention, that Dr Lascelles grew more and more absorbed
and dreamy every day. When they first started he was always on the
alert about the management of the expedition, the proportioning of the
supplies and matters of that kind; but as he found in a short time that
Bart devoted himself eagerly to everything connected with the successful
carrying out of their progress, that Joses was sternly exacting over the
other men, and that Maude took ample care of the stores, he very soon
ceased troubling himself about anything but the main object which he had
in view.

Hence it was then that he used to sling a sort of game-bag over his
shoulder directly after the early morning meal, place a sharp,
wedge-like hammer in his belt, shoulder his double rifle, and go off
"rock-chipping," as Joses called it.

"I don't see what's the good of his loading one barrel with shot, Master
Bart, for he never brings in no game; and as for the stones--well, I
haven't seen a single likely bit yet."

"Do you think he ever will hit upon a good mine of gold or silver,
Joses?" said Bart, as they were out hunting one day.

"Well, Master Bart, you know what sort of a fellow I am. If I'd got
five hundred cows, I should never reckon as they'd have five hundred
calves next year, but just calculate as they wouldn't have one. Then
all that come would be so many to the good. Looking at it fairly, I
don't want to dishearten you, my lad, but speaking from sperience, I
should say he wouldn't."

"And this will all be labour in vain, Joses?"

"Nay, I don't say that, Master Bart. He might find a big vein of gold
or silver; b