ItdidnotseemtomethatIwaslost，yetlostIwas。Thepeakswerenotinsight。Thecanyonwideneddowntheslope，andIwasprettysurethatitopenedoutflatintothegreatpineforestofPenetier。Theonlythingthatbotheredmewasthelossofmymustangandoutfit;Icouldnotreconcilemyselftothat。SoIwanderedaboutwithastrange，fullsenseoffreedomsuchasIhadneverbeforeknown。WhatwastobetheendofmyadventureI
couldnotguess，andIwastednotimeworryingoverit。
TheknowledgeIhadofforestryItriedtoapply。Istudiedthenorthandsouthslopesofthecanyon，observinghowthetreesprosperedonthesunnyside。Certainsaplingsofaspeciesunknowntomehadbeengnawedfullytenfeetfromtheground。Thispuzzledme。Squirrelscouldnothavedoneit，norrabbits，norbirds。PresentlyIhituponthesolution。Thebarkandboughsofthisparticularsaplingwerefoodfordeer，andtognawsohighthedeermusthavestooduponsixorsevenfeetofsnow。
Idugintothesoftduffunderthepines。Thiscoveringoftherootswasverythickanddeep。Imadeitouttobecomposedofpine—needles，leaves，andearth。Itwaslikeasponge。Nowondersuchcoveringheldthewater！I
priedbarkoffdeadtreesanddugintodecayedlogstofindtheinsectenemiesofthetrees。Theopenplaces，wherelittlecoloniesofpinesproutsgrew，seemedgenerallytobedown—slopefromtheparenttrees。Itwaseasytotelltheplaceswherethewindhadblowntheseeds。
Thehoursspedby。Theshadowsofthepineslengthened，thesunset，andtheshadedeepenedinthehollows。Returningtomycamp，Icookedmysupperandmademybed。WhenIhadlaidupastoreoffirewooditwasnearlydark。
Withnightcamethecoyotes。Thecarcassofthedeerattractedthem，andtheyapproachedfromalldirections。Atfirstitwasfascinatingtohearonehowlfaroffintheforest，andthentonoticethedifferenceinthesoundashecamenearerandnearer。Thewaytheybarkedandsnappedoutthereinthedarknesswasaswildathingtohearasanyboycouldhavewishedfor。Itbegantobealittletoomuchforme。Ikeptupabrightfire，and，thoughnotexactlyafraid，Ihadaperchpickedoutinthenearesttree。Suddenlythecoyotesbecamesilent。Thenalow，continuousgrowling，asnappingoftwigs，andtheunmistakabledragofaheavybodyoverthegroundmademyhairstandonend。Grippingmyrifle，Ilistened。
Iheardthecrunchofteethonbones，thenmoresoundsofsomethingbeingdraggeddownthehollow。Thecoyotesbegantobarkagain，butnowfarbackintheforest。
Somebeasthadfrightenedthem。Whatwasit？Ididnotknowwhetherabearwouldeatdeerflesh，，butIthoughtnot。Perhapstimber—wolveshaddisturbedthecoyotes。Butwouldtheyrunfromwolves？Itcametomesuddenly——amountain—lion！
Ihuggedmyfire，andsatthere，listeningwithallmyears，imaginingeveryrustleofleaftobethestepofalion。Itwaslongbeforethethrillsandshiversstoppedchasingoverme，longerbeforeIcoulddecidetoliedown。Butafterawhilethedeadquietoftheforestpersuadedmethatthenightwasfaradvanced，andIfellasleep。
ThefirstthinginthemorningItookmyrifleandwentouttowhereIhadleftthecarcassofthedeer。Itwasgone。Ithadbeendraggedaway。Adarkpathonthepine—needlesandgrass，andsmallbushespressedtotheground，plainlymarkedthetrail。ButsearchasImight，Icouldnotfindthetrackoftheanimalthathaddraggedoffthedeer。Afterfollowingthetrailforafewrods，Idecidedtoreturntocampandcookbreakfastbeforegoinganyfarther。WhileIwasatitIcutmanythinslicesofvenison，and，afterroastingthem，Istoredthemawayinthecapaciouspocketofmycoat。
Mybreakfastfinished，Iagainsetouttoseewhathadbecomeoftheremainsofthedeer。Intwoorthreeplacesthesharphoofshadcutlinesinthesoftearth，andthereweretuftsofwhitish—grayhairelsewhere。A
hundredyardsormoredownthehollowIcametoabarespotwhererecentlytherehadbeenapoolofwater。HereIfoundcattracksaslargeasmytwohands。Ihadneverseenthetrackofamountain—lion，but，allthesame，I
knewthatthiswastherealthing。Whatanenormousbrutehemusthavebeen！Icastfearfulglancesintothesurroundingthickets。
Itwasnotneedfultotravelmuchfarther。Underabushwellhiddeninaclumpoftreeslaywhatnowremainedofmydeer。Apatchofgrayhair，afewlongbones，asplitskull，andtwolongears——nomore！Eventhehidewasgone。Perhapsthecoyoteshadfinishedthejobafterthelionhadgorgedhimself，butIdidnotthinkso。Itseemedtomethatcoyoteswouldhavescatteredtheremains。Thosetwolongearssomehowseemedpathetic。I
wishedforasecondthatthelionwereinrangeofmyrifle。
ThelionwasdrivenfrommymindwhenIsawatroopofdeercrossagladebelowme。Ihadtofightmyselftokeepfromshooting。Thewindblewratherstronginmyface，whichprobablyaccountedforthedeernotwindingme。
Thenthewhip—likecrackofariflerivetedmewhereIstood。Oneofthedeerfell，andtheothersboundedaway。Isawatallmanstridedowntheslopeandintotheglade。Hewasnotlikeanyoftheloggersorlumbermen。
Theyweremostlybrawnyandround—shouldered。Thismanwaslithe，erect;hewalkedlikeathletesIhadseen。SurelyIshouldfindafriendinhim，andIlostnotimeinrunningdownintotheglade。HesawmeassoonasIwasclearofthetrees，andstoodleaningonhisrifle。
"Wal，dog—gonemybuttons！"heejaculated。"Who’reyou？"
Iblurtedoutallaboutmyself，atthesametimetakingstockofhim。Hewasnotyoung，butIhadneverseenayoungmansosplendid。Hair，beard，andskinwereallofadarkgray。Hiseyes，too，weregray——thekeenestandclearestIhadeverlookedinto。Theyshonewithakindlylight，otherwiseImighthavethoughthisfacehardandstern。Hisshoulderswereverywide，hisarmslong，hishandsenormous。Hisbuckskinshirtattractedmyattentiontohisotherclothes，whichlookedlikeleatheroverallsorheavycanvas。Abeltcarriedahugeknifeandanumberofshellsoflargecaliber;theWinchesterhehadwasexceedinglylongandheavy，andofanoldpattern。ThelookofhimbroughtbackmyoldfancyofWetzelorKitCarson。
"SoI’mlost，"Iconcluded，"anddon’tknowwhattodo。Idaren’ttrytofindthesawmill。Iwon’tgobacktoHolstonjustyet。"
"An’whynot，youngster？’Pearstomeyou’dbettermaketracksfromPenetier。"
Itoldhimwhy，atwhichhelaughed。
"Wal，Ireckonyoucanstaywithmeferaspell。Mycamp’sintheheadofthiscanyon。"
"Oh，thankyou，that’llbefine！"Iexclaimed。Mygreatgoodluckfilledmewithjoy。"Doyoustayonthemountain？"
"Be’nheregoin’oneighteenyears，youngster。Mebbeyou’veheerdmyname。
HiramBent。"
"Areyouahunter？"
"Wal，Ireckonso，thoughI’mmoreatrapper。Here，youpackmygun。"
Withthathedrewhisknifeandsettoworkonthedeer。Itwaswonderfultoseehisskill。Inafewcutsandstrokes，arippingofthehideandapowerfulslash，hehadcutoutahaunch。Ittookevenlessworkforthesecond。Thenhehungtherestofthedeeronasnag，andwipedhisknifeandhandsonthegrass。
"Comeon，youngster，"hesaid，startingupthecanyon。
Ishowedhimwherethecarcassofmydeerhadbeendevoured。
"Cougar。Thar’sabigfellerhastherunofthiscanyon。"
"Cougar？Ithoughtitwasamountain—lion。"
"Cougar，painter，panther，lion——allthesamecritter。An’ifyouleavehimalonehe’llnotbotheryou，buthe’sbadinacorner。"
"Hescaredawaythecoyotes。"
"Youngster，evenasilver—tip——thet’sagrizzlybear——willmaketracksawayfromacougar。IlentmypackofhoundstoapardovernearSpringer。IfI
hadthemwe’dputthetcougarupatreeinnotime。"
"Aretheremanylions——cougarshere？"
"Onlyafew。Thet’swhythere’splentyofdeer。Othergameisplentiful，too。Foxes，wolves，an’，upinthemountains，bearsarethick。"
"ThenImaygettoseeone——getashotatone？"
"Wal，Ireckon。"
FromthattimeItrodonair。IfoundmyselfwishingformybrotherHal。I
becamereconciledtothelossofmustangandoutfit。ForamomentIalmostforgotDickandBuell。Forestryseemedlessimportantthanhunting。Ihadreadathousandbooksaboutoldhuntersandtrappers，andhereIwasinawildmountaincanyonwithahunterwhomighthavesteppedoutofoneofmydreams。SoItrudgedalongbesidehim，askingaquestionnowandthen，andlisteningalways。Hecertainlyknewwhatwouldinterestme。TherewasscarcelyathinghesaidthatIwouldeverforget。Afterawhile，however，thetrailbecamesosteepandroughthatI，atleast，hadnobreathtosparefortalking。Weclimbedandclimbed。Thecanyonhadbecomeanarrow，rockycleft。Hugestonesblockedtheway。Araggedgrowthofunderbrushfringedthestream。Deadpines，withbrancheslikespears，layalongthetrail。
Wecameuponalittleclearing，wheretherewasarudelog—cabinwithastonechimney。Skinsofanimalsweretackeduponlogs。Underthebankwasaspring。Themountainovershadowedthiswildnook。
"Wal，youngster，here’smyshack。Makeyourselftohome，"saidHiramBent。
Iwasalleyesasweenteredthecabin。Skins，largeandsmall，andofmanycolors，hunguponthewalls。Afireburnedinawidestonegrate。Aroughtableandsomepansandcookingutensilsshowedevidenceofrecentscouring。Abunchofsteeltrapslayinacorner。Uponashelfweretincansandclothbags，andagainstthewallstoodabedofglossybearskins。
Tomethecabinwasaltogetheramostsatisfactoryplace。
"Ireckonye’retired？"askedthehunter。"Thet’ssomepumpkinsofaclimbunlessyou’reusedtoit。"
IadmittedIwasprettytired。
"Wal，restawhile。Youlooklikeyouhadn’tsleptmuch。"
Heaskedmeaboutmypeopleandhome，andwassointerestedinforestrythatheleftoffhistaskofthemomenttotalkaboutit。Iwasnotlongindiscoveringthatwhathedidnotknowabouttreesandforestswashardlyworthlearning。Hecalleditplainwoodcraft。Hehadneverheardofforestry。AllthesameIhungeredforhisknowledge。Howluckyformetofallinwithhim！Thethingsthathadpuzzledmeaboutthepinesheansweredeasily。Thenhevolunteeredinformation。Fromtalkingoftheforest，hedriftedtothelumbermen。
"Wal，thelumber—sharksarerippin’holesinPenetier。Ireckontheywouldn’tstopatnothin’。I’veheeredsometoughstoriesaboutthetsawmillgang。Iain’tacquaintedwithLeslie，oranyofthemfellersyounamedexceptJimWilliams。IknowedJim。HewasinSpringerferawhile。IfJim’syourfriend，there’llbesomethin’happenin，whenheroundsupthemkidnappers。Ireckonyou’dbetterhangupwithmeferawhile。Youdon’twanttogetketchedagain。Yourlifewasn’tmuchtothemfellers。Ithinkthey’dheldontoyoufermoney。It’stoobadyoudidn’tsendwordhometoyourpeople。"
"Isentwordhomeaboutthebigstealoftimber。ThatwasbeforeIgotkidnapped。BythistimetheGovernmentknows。"
"Wal，youdon’tsay！Thetwaspertofyou，youngster。An’willtheGovernmentroundupthesesharks？"
"Indeeditwill。TheGovernmentisindeadearnestaboutprotectingtheNationalForests。"
"Soitoughttobe。Nexttoaforestfire，Ihatetheseskinnedtimbertracts。Wal，oldPenetier’sgoingtoseesomethin’livelybeforelong。
Youngster，themlumbermen——leastways，themfellersyoucallBudan’Bill，an’such——they’regoin’tofight。"
Theoldhunterleftmepresently，andwentoutside。Iwaitedawhileforhim，butashedidnotreturnIlaydownuponthebearskinsanddroppedtosleep。ItseemedIhadhardlyclosedmyeyeswhenIfeltahandonmyarmandheardavoice。
"Wakeup，youngster。Thar’stwooldbearsan’acubbeenfoolin’withoneofmytraps。"
InaflashIwaswideawake。
"Let’sseeyourgun。Humph！prettysmall——38caliber，ain’tit？Wal，it’lldotheworkifyouholdstraight。Canyoushoot？"
"Fairlywell。"
HetookhisheavyWinchester，andthrewacoilofthinropeoverhisshoulder。
"Comeon。Stayclosetome，an’keepyoureyespeeled。"
XII。BEARS
TheoldhunterwalkedsoswiftlythatIhadtoruntokeepupwithhim。Thetrailledupthecreek，nowononeside，againontheother，andIwasconstantlyskippingfromstonetostone。Thegrassyslopesgrewfewer，andfinallygavewayaltogethertocrackedcliffsandweatheredrocks。Afringeofpine—treesleanedoverthetopwithhereandthereablastedspearstandingoutwhite。
"Ihadmytrapsetupthetdraw，"saidHiramBent，ashepointedtowardanintersectingcanyon。"JustbeforeIwakedyouIwascomin’alonghere，an’
Iheeredanall—firedracketupthar，an’soIwatched。Soonthreeblackbearscomepaddlin’down，an’thebiggestwasdraggin’thetrapwiththechainan’log。ThenIhurriedtotellyou。Theycan’tbefar。"
"Aretheygrizzlies？"Iasked，tryingtospeaknaturally。
"Nope。Jestplainblackbears。Buttheonewiththetrapisawhopper。
He’llgooverfourhundred。Seethetracks？Lookslikesomebody’dbeenplowin’upthestones。"
Thereweredeeptracksinthesand，andbroadfurrows，andstonesoverturned，andplaceswhereaheavyobjecthadcrushedthegravelevenandsmooth。
Theoldhunterkeptstridingon，andIwonderedbowhecouldgosofastwithoutrunning。Presentlywecametowherethecanyonforked。Hiramstarteduptheright—handfork，thensuddenlystopped，and，turning，begantogoback，carefullyexaminingtheground。
"They’vesplitonus，"heexplained。"Theolefellerwiththetrapwentuptheright—handdraw，an’themotheran’cubtooktotheleft。Now，youngster，canyoukeepyournerve？"
"Ithinkso。"
"Wal，yougoaftertheolefeller。Youcan’tmisshim，an’hewon’tbefar。
You’llhearhimbellerin’longbeforeyougittohim，thoughhemightlaylow，soyousteerclearofbigbouldersan’thickets。Killhim，an’thenrunbackan’takeupthisdraw。Theshebeariscutean’maygivemetheslip，butifshedoesn’tclimboutsoonI’llheadheroff。Hurryon，now。
Keepyoureyepeeled，an’you’llbesafeasifyouweretohome。"
Withthathedisappearedroundthecornerofstonewallwherethecanyondivided。Iwheeledandwenttotheright。Thiswingofthecanyontwistedandturnedandwasfullofstones。Ashallowsheetofwatergleamedoveritscoloredbedofgravel。Thewallswerestraightup，and，inplaces，bulgedoutward。Iflinchedateveryturninthecanyon;but，withriflecockedandthrustforward，Iwenton。Thecracksinthewalls，thebouldersandpiecesofcliffthatobstructedmypath，andtheoccasionalthickets——
allmademehaltwithcarefulstepandfingeronthetrigger。Ifollowedthesplashesonthestones，whichtoldmethatthebearhadpassedthatway。AsIwentcautiouslyonIfeltatighteningatmythroat。Thelightabovegrewdimmer。WhenIstoppedtolistenitwassosilentthatIheardonlythepoundingofmyheartandmyownquickbreathing。Ipressedonandon，goingfasterallthetimenotthatIfeltbraver，butIlongedtoendthesuspense。Suddenlythesilencewasbrokenbyathreateningroar。Itsweptdownonme，swellingasitcontinued，anditseemedtofillthecanyon。Itshookmypulses，iturgedmetoflight，butIcouldnotmove。
Thenassuddenlyitceased。
ForalongmomentIstoodstill，withnoideaofadvancingfarther。Theclinkingofachainseemedtoreleasemycrampedmuscles。VerycautiouslyI
peeredaroundaprojectingcornerofwall。Theresatahugeblackbearonhishaunchesholdingupagreatsteeltrapwhichclutchedoneofhispaws。
Itwassuchastrangesightthatmyfearwasforgotten。Therewassomethingalmosthumaninthewaythebearlookedatthattrap。Hetoucheditgingerlywithhisfreepaw，andnosedit。Icreptupclosetothecornerofstoneandlookedaroundagain。Thebearwasnowclosetome。Isawtheheavychainandthelogtowhichitwasattached。Helookedattrapandloginagrave，patheticway，asiftryingtoreasonaboutthem。Thenherousedintofuriousaction，swingingthetrap，draggingthelog，andbellowinginsuchafrightfulmannerthatIdodgedbackbehindthewall。
Butthissuddenchangeinthebear，thisappallingroarwithitsnoteofpain，awakenedmetohissuffering。WhenthenoisestoppedandIlookedagain，thebearwasasightnottobeforgotten。Heshowedahelpless，terriblefearofthesteel—jawedthingonhisfoot。Hedroppeddownonthesandwithagroan，andtherewasadespairinglookinhiseyes。
Thismademeforgetmyfear，andIhadonlyonethought——toputhimoutofhismisery。WhenIleveledmyrifleitwasassteadyastherockbesideme。
Aimingjustbelowhisear，Ipressedthetrigger。Thedullreportre—echoedfromwalltowall。Thebearlurchedslightly，andhisheadfelluponhisoutstretchedpaws。Iwaited，readytoshootagainupontheslightestmovement，buttherewasnone。
WithriflereadyIcautiouslyapproachedthebear。AsIcamecloseheseemedlargerandlarger，butheshowednosignsoflife。Ilookedattheglossyblackfur，theflecksofbloodonthesideofhisheadwheremybullethadentered，themurderoussaw—teethoftheheavytrapbitingtothebone，andthecrueltyofthattrapseemedtodrivefrommeallprideofachievement。Itwasnothingexceptmercytokillatrappedcrippledbearthatcouldnotrunorfight。ThenandthereIgainedadislikefortrappinganimals。
Thecrackoftheoldhunter’sriflemademerememberthatIwastohurrybackuptheothercanyon，soIbegantorun。Iboundedfromstonetostone，dashedoverthesand—bars，jumpedthebrook，andwentdownthatcanyonperhapsinfargreaterdangerofbodilyharmthanwhenIhadgoneup。
ButwhenIturnedthecorneritwasanotherstory。Thefirstcanyonhadbeeneasyclimbingcomparedtothisone。Itwasnarrow，steep，andfullofdeadpinesfallenfromabove。Runningwasimpossible。Iclamberedupwardovertheloosestones，underthebridgesofpines，roundtheboulders。
PresentlyIheardashout。Icouldnottellwhereitcamefrom，butI
replied。AsecondcallIidentifiedascomingfromhighuptheraggedcanyonside，andIstartedup。Itwashardwork。Certainlynobearsorhunterhadclimbedoutjusthere。Atlength，sore，spent，andtorn，Ifelloutofatangleofbrushupontheedgeofthecanyon。Abovemerosetheswellingmountainslopethicklycoveredwithdwarfpines。
"Thisway，youngster！"calledtheoldhunterfrommyleft。
Afewmoredashesinandoutofthebrushandtreesbroughtmetoafairlyopenspacewithnotmuchslope。HiramBentstoodunderapine，andathisfeetlayablackfurrymass。
"Wal，Iheerdyoushoot。Reckonyougotyourn？"
"Yes，Ikilledhim……Say，Mr。Bent，Idon’tliketraps。"
"NarydoI——forbears，"repliedhe，shakinghisgrayhead。"AtrappedbearisaboutthepitifulestthingIeverseen。Butit’sseldomoneevergitsintotrapofmine。"
"Thisoneyoushotmustbetheoldmotherbear。Where’sthecub？Diditgetaway？"
"Notyet。Lookupinthetree。"
Ilookeduptheblacktrunkthroughthenetworkofslenderbranches，andsawthebearsnugglinginafork。Hissharpearsstoodupagainstthesky。
Hewasmostanxiouslygazingdownatus。
"Wal，tumblehimoutofthar，"saidHiramBent。
WithanaturalimpulsetoshootIraisedmyrifle，butthecublookedsoattractiveandsohelplessthatIhesitated。
"Idon’tliketodoit，"Isaid。"Oh，Iwishwecouldcatchhimalive！"
"Wal，Ireckonwecan。"
"How？"Iinquired，eagerly，andloweredmyrifle。
"Areyougoodontheclimb？"
"Climb？Thistree？Why，withonehand。BackinPennsylvaniaIclimbedshell—barkhickory—treeswiththelowestlimbfiftyfeetfromtheground……Butthereweren’tanybearsupthem。"
"Youmustkeepoutofhiswayifhecomesdownonyou。He’sasassylittlechap。Nowtakethisropean’goupan’climbroundhim。"
"Climbroundhim？"Iqueried，asIgazeddubiouslyupward。"Youmeantoslipoutonthebranchesandgouphand—over—handtillIgetabovehim。Thebranchesupthereseemprettyclose——Imight。Butsupposehegoeshigher？"
"I’mlookin’ferhimtogocleantothetop。Butyoucanbeathimtoit——
mebbe。"
"Anydangerofhisattackingme——upthere？"
"Wal，notmuch。Ifhehugsthetrunkhe’llhavetoholdonferallhe’sworth。Butifhestandsonthebranchesan’youcomeupclosehemightbatyouone。MebbeI’dbettergoup。"
"Oh，I’mgoing——Ionlywantedtoknowwhattoexpect。Now，incaseIgetabovehim，whatthen？"
"Makehimbackdowntillhereachesthesefirstbranches。WhenhegetssofarI’lltellyouwhattodo。"Iputmyarmthroughthecoilofrope，and，slingingitsnuglyovermyshoulder，begantoclimbthepine。Itwastheworkofonlyamomenttoreachthefirstbranch。
"Wal，Ireckonyou’resomerelationtoasquirrelatthet，"saidHiramBent。"JestasIthoughtthelittlecussisclimbin’higher。Thet’sgoin’
toworryus。"
Itwaslikesteppingupaladderfromthefirstbranchtothefork。Thecubhadgoneuptheright—handtrunksomefifteenfeet，andwasnowhuggingit。
Atthatshortdistancehelookedalarminglybig。ButIsawhewouldhaveallhecoulddotoholdon，andifIcouldclimbthelefttrunkandgetabovehimtherewouldbelittletofear。HowIdiditsoquicklywasamystery，butamidthecrackingofdeadbranchesandpatteringoffallingbarkandswayingofthetree—topIgainedapositionabovehim。
HewassoclosethatIcouldsmellhim。Hisquicklittleeyessnappedfireandfearatonce;heutteredasoundthatwasbetweenawhineandagrowl。
"Hey，youngster！"yelledHiram，"thet’shighenough——’tain’tsafe——becarefulnow。"
WiththewordsIlookedoutbelowme，toseetheoldhunterstandinginthegladewavinghisarms。
"I’mallright！"Iyelleddown。"Now，how’llIdrivehim？"
"Breakoffabranchan’switchhim。"
TherewasnotabranchabovemethatIcouldbreak，butafewfeetbelowwasaslender，deadlimb。Isliddownandgotit，and，holdingonwithmyleftarmandlegs，Ibegantothrashthecub。Hegrowledfiercely。snappedatthestick，andbegantobackdown。
"He’sstarted！"Icried，inglee。"Goon，Cubby——downwithyou！"
Clumsyashewas，hemadeswifttime。Iwashardputtokeepclosetohim。
Islippeddownthetrunk——holdingononeinstantandslidingdownthenext。
ButbelowtheforkitwasharderforCubbyandeasierforme。Thebranchesratherhinderedhisbackwardprogresswhiletheyaidedmine。Growlingandwhining，withlongclawsrippingthebark，hewentdown。AllofasuddenI
becameawareoftheoldhunterthreshingaboutunderthetree。
"Holdon——notsofast！"heyelled。
Stillthecubkeptgoing，andstoppedwithhishaunchesonthefirstbranch。There，lookingdown，hesawanenemybelowhim，andhesitated。Buthelookedup，and，seeingme，begantobackdownagain。Hirampoundedthetreewithadeadbranch。Cubbyevidentlyintendedtoreachtheground，forthenoisedidnotstophim。Thenthehunterranalittlewaytoawindfall，andcamebackwiththeupperhalfofadeadsapling。Withthishebegantoprodthebear。Thereupon，Cubbylostnotimeingettinguptothefirstbranchagain，wherehehalted。
"Throwthenooseonhimnow——anywhere，"orderedthehunter。"An’we’venotimetolose。He’sgittin’sassiereveryminnit。"
IdroppedthewideloopuponCubby，expectingtocatchhimfirsttime。Theropewentoverhisbead，butwithadexterousflipofhispawhesentitflying。Thenbeganaduelbetweenus，inwhichhecontinuallygotthebetterofme。AllthewhiletheoldhunterproddedCubbyfrombelow。
"Youain’tquickenough，"saidHiram，impatiently。
Maderecklessbythis，Isteppeddowntoanotherbranchdirectlyoverthebear，andtriedagaintoropehim。Itwasofnouse。Heslippedoutofthenoosewiththesinuousmovementsofaneel。Onceitcaughtoverhisearsandinhisopenjaws。Hegaveajerkthatnearlypulledmefrommyperch。I
couldtellhewasgrowingangriereveryinstant，andalsobraver。Suddenlythenoose，quitebyaccident，caughthisnose。HewaggedhisheadandI
pulled。Thenoosetightened。
"I’vegothim！"Iyelled，andgavetheropeastrongpull。
Thebearstoodupwithstartlingsuddennessandreachedforme。
"Climb！"shoutedHiram，Idroppedtheropeandleapedforthebranchabove，and，catchingit，liftedmyselfjustasthesharpclawsofthecubscratchedhardovermyboot。
Cubbynowhuggedthetreetrunkandstartedupagain。
"We’vegothim！"yelledHiram。"Don’tmove——steponhisnoseifhegetstooclose。"
ThenIsawthehalterhadcomeoffthebearandhadfallentotheground。
Hirampickeditup，arrangedthenoose，and，holdingitinhisteethbegantolimbafterthebear。Cubbywasnowonlyafewfeetunderme，workingsteadilyup，growling，andhislittleeyeswerelikepointsofgreenfire。
"Stophim！Standonhishead！"mumbledHiram，withtheropeinhisteeth。
"What！——notonyourlife！"
But，reachingup，Igraspedabranch，and，swingingclearofthelowerone，Ibegantokickatthebear。Thisstoppedhim。Thenhesquealed，andbegantokickonhisownaccount。Hiramwastryingtogetthenooseoverabindfoot。Afterseveralattemptshesucceeded，andthenthrewtheropeoverthelowestbranch。IgaveawildIndianyelloftriumph。Thenextinstant，beforeIcouldfindafoothold，thebranchtowhichIwashangingsnappedlikeapistol—shot，andIplungeddownwithacrash。Istruckthebearandthelowerbranch，andthentheground。Thefallhalfstunnedme。Ithoughteveryboneinmybodywasbroken。Iroseunsteadily，andforamomenteverythingwhirledbeforemyeyes。ThenIdiscoveredthattheroarinmyearswastheoldhunter’syell。Isawhimhaulingontherope。Therewasagreatrippingofbarkandmanystrangesounds，andthenthecubwasdanglingheaddownward。Hiramhadpulledhimfromhisperch，andhunghimoverthelowestbranch。
"Thar，youngster，gitbusynow！"yelledthehunter。"Grabtheotherrope——
tharitis——an’ropeafrontpawwhileIholdhim。Livelynow，he’smightyheavy，an’ifheevergitsdownwithonlyoneropeonhimwe’llthinkwe’refasttochainlightnin’。"
Thebearswungaboutfivefeetfromtheground。AsIranathimwiththenoosehetwistedhimself，seemedtodoubleupinaknot，thenhedroppedfull—stretchedagain，andlungedviciouslyatme。TwiceIfeltthewindofhispaws。Hespunaroundsofastthatitkeptmedancing。Iflungthenooseandcaughthisrightpaw。Hirambawledsomethingthatmademeallthemoreheedless，andintighteningthenooseIranintooclose。Thebeargavemeaslashingcuffonthesideofthehead，andIwentdownlikeatenpin。
"Gitahitchthar——tothesaplin’！"roaredHiram，asIstaggeredtomyfeet。"Rustlenow——hurry！"
Whatwithmyringinghead，andfingersallthumbs，andHiramroaringatme，Imadeamessoftyingtheknot。ThenHiramletgohisrope，andwhenthecubdroppedtothegroundtheropeflewupoverthebranch。CubbyleapedsoquicklythathejerkedtheropeawaybeforeHiramcouldpickitup，andonehardpullloosenedmyhitchonthesapling。
Thecubboundedthroughtheglade，draggingmewithhim。ForafewlongleapsIkeptmyfeet，thendownIsprawled。
"Hangon！Hangon！"Hiramyelledfrombehind。
IfIhadnotbeenangryclearthroughatthatcubImighthaveletgo。Heploughedmyfaceinthedirt，andalmostjerkedmyarmsoff。Suddenlythestrainlessened。Igotup，toseethattheoldhunterhadholdoftheotherrope。
"Now，stretchhimout！"heyelled。
Betweenuswestretchedthecubout，sothatallhecoulddowasstruggleandpawtheairandutterstrangecries。Hiramtiedhisropetoatree，andthenranbacktorelieveme。Itwashightime。Hetookmyropeandfastenedittoastoutbush。
"Thar，youngster，Ireckonthet’llholdhim！Nowtiehispawsan’muzzlehim。"
Hedrewsomebuckskinthongsfromhispocketandhandedthemtome。Wewentuptothestrainingcub，andHiram，withonepullofhispowerfulhands，broughtthehindlegstogether。
"Tie’em，"hesaid。
Thisdone，withtheaidofaheavypieceofwoodhepressedthecub’sheaddownandwoundathongtightlyroundthesharpnose。Thenhetiedthefrontlegs。
"Thar！Nowyouloosentheropesan’windthemup。"
WhenIhaddonethisheliftedthecubandswunghimoverhisbroadback。
"Comeon，youtrailbehind，an’keepyoureyepeeledtoseehedoesn’tworkthetknotoffhisjaws……Say，youngster，nowyou’vegothim，whatinthunderwillyoudowithhim？"
Ilookedatmytorntrousers，atthebloodonmyskinnedandburninghands，andIfeltofthebruiseonmyhead，asIsaid，grimly："I’llhangtohimaslongasIcan。"
XIII。THECABININTHEFOREST
HiramBentpackedthecubdownthecanyonashewouldhavehandledasackofoats。Whenwereachedthecabinhefastenedaheavydog—collarroundCubby’sneckandsnappedachaintoit。Doublingthehalter，hetiedoneendtothechainandtheothertoasturdybranchofatree。Thisdone，heslippedthethongsoffthebear。
"Thar！He’llletyoupethiminafewdaysmebbe，"hesaid。
Ourcaptivedidnotyetshowanysignsofbecomingtame。Nosoonerwashefreeofthebuckskinthongsthanheleapedaway，onlytobepulledupbythehalter。Thenherolledoverandover，clawingatthechain，andsquirmingtogethisheadoutofthecollar。
"Hemightchokehisself，"saidHiram，"butmebbehe’lleaseupifwestayawayfromhim。Nowwe’vegottorustletoskinthemtwobears。"
So，aftergivingmeahunting—knife，andtellingmetofetchmyrifle，hesetoffupthecanyon。AsItrudgedalongbehindhimIspokeofDickLeslie，andaskediftherewerenotsomewaytogethimoutoftheclutchesofthelumberthieves。
"I’vebeenthinkin’aboutthet，"repliedthehunter，"an’Ireckonwecan。
Tomorrowwe’llcrosstheridgehighupbackofthetspring—holecanyon，an’
sneakdown。’Pearstomethemfellerswillbetrailin’youprettyhard，an’
mebbethey’llleaveonlyonetoguardLeslie。More’nthet，thetrailupheretomyshackisknown，an’I’mthinkin’we’dbesmarttogooffan’
campsomewhereelse。"
"What’llIdoaboutCubby？"Iasked，quickly。
"Cubby？Oh，thetbearcub。Wal，takehimalong。Youngster，youdon’twanttopackthetpeskycubbacktoPennsylvania？"
"Yes，Ido。"
"Ireckonitain’tlikelyyoucan。He’sprettyheavy。Weighsnearlyahundred。An’he’dmakeaheapoftrouble。Mebbewe’llketchalittlecub——oneyoucancarryinyourarms。"
"That’dbestillbetter，"Ireplied。"Butifwedon’t，I’lltrytotakehimbackhome。"
TheoldhuntersaidImadeagoodshotatthebigbear，andthathewouldgivemetheskinforarug。Itdelightedmetothinkofthathugeglossybearskinonthefloorofmyden。ItoldHiramhowthebearhadsuffered，andIwasgladtoseethat，althoughhewasahunterandtrapper，hedislikedtocatchabearinatrap。Weskinnedtheanimal，andcutoutaquantityofmeat。Hetoldmethatbearmeatwouldmakemeforgetallaboutvenison。Bythetimewehadclimbeduptheothercanyonandskinnedtheotherbearandreturnedtocampitwasdark。Asforme，IwassotiredI
couldhardlycrawl。
Inspiteofmyachesandpains，thatwasanightformetoremember。ButtherewasthethoughtofDickLeslie。Hisrescuewastheonlythingneededtomakemehappy。DickwasinmymindevenwhenHiramcookedasupperthatalmostmademeforgetmymanners。Certainlythebroiledbearmeatmademeforgetvenison。Thenwetalkedbeforetheburninglogsinthestonefire—
place。Hiramsatonhishome—madechairandsmokedastrong—smellingpipewhileIlayonabearskininblissfulease。Occasionallyweheardthecuboutsiderattlinghischainandgrowling。AllofthetrappersandIndianfightersIhadreadofweredifferentfromHiramBentandJimWilliams。
Jim’ssoftdrawlandkind，twinklingeyeswerenotwhatanybook—readerwouldexpecttofindinadangerousman。AndHiramBentwassosimpleandfriendly，sogladtohaveevenaboytotalkto，thatitseemedhewouldneverstop。Ifithadnotbeenforhisstrikingappearanceandforthestrange，wildtaleshetoldofhislonelylife，hewouldhaveremindedmeoftheoldcanal—locktendersathome。
Once，whenhewasrefillinghispipeandIthoughtitwouldbeagoodtimetoprofitfromhisknowledgeoftheforests，Isaidtohim：
"Now，Mr。Bent，let’ssupposeI’mthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，andI
havejustappointedyoutotheofficeofChiefForesteroftheNationalForests。Youhavefullpower。Theobjectistoconserveournationalresources。Whatwillyoudo？"
"Wal，Mr。President，"hebegan，slowlyandseriously，andwithgreatdignity，"theGovernmentmustowntheforestsan’dealwiselywiththem。
Thesemountainforestsaregreatspongestoholdthewater，an’wemuststopfirean’recklesscuttin’。Thefirstthingistoovercometheoppositionofthestockmen，an’showthemwherethebenefitwillbetheirsinthelongrun。Nextthetimbermustbeused，butnotallusedup。We’llneedrangerswho’reusedtorustlin’intheWestan’knowWesternways。
Cabinsmustbebuilt，trailsmade，roadscut。We’llneedaheadforesterforeveryforest。Thismanmustknowallthat’sonhispreserve，an’haveitmapped。Hemustteachhisrangerswhatheknowsabouttrees。Penetierwillbegivenoverentirelytothegrowin’ofyellowpine。Thetthrivesbest，an’theparasitesmustgo。Alldeadan’oldtimbermustbecut，an’
muchofthetwherethetreesarecrowded。Thenorthslopesmustbecutenoughtoletinthesunan’light。Brush，windfallsrottin’logsmustbeburned。Thicketsofyoungpinemustbethinned。Careoughtenbetakennottocutonthenorthan’westedgesoftheforests，astheoldguardpineswillbreakthewind。"
"Howwillyoutreatminersandprospectors？"
"Theymustbeasfreetotakeupclaimsasiftherewasn’tnoNationalForest。"
"Howaboutthesettler，themanseekingahomeoutWest？"Iwenton。
"We’llencouragehim。Themorementhereare，thebettertheforestercanfightfire。Butthosehome—seekersmustwantahome，an’notbesquattin’
foralittle，jesttosellouttolumbersharks。"
"What’stobecomeoftimberandwood？"
"Wal，it’stheretobeused，an’mustbeused。We’llgiveitfreetothesettleran’prospector。We’llsellitcheaptothelumbermen——bigan’
little。We’llconsiderthewantsofthelocalmenfirst。"
"Nowabouttherange。Willyoukeepoutthestockmen？"
"Nary。Grazin’forsheep，cattle，an’hosseswillgoonjestthesame。Butwemustlookoutforovergrazin’。Forinstance，toomanycattlewillstampdownyounggrowth，an’toomanysheepleavenograzin’forotherstock。Thebeadforestermustknowhisbusiness，an’notlethisrangebeoverstocked。
Thesmalllocalherdersan’sheepmenmustbeconsideredfirst，thebigstockmensecond。Bothmustbechargedasmallfeeperheadforgrazin’。"
"Howwillyoufightfire？"
"Wal，thet’sthehardnuttocrack。Fireistheforest’sworstenemy。InadryseasonlikethisPenetierwouldburnliketinderblownbyabellows。
Firewouldracethroughherefaster’namancouldrun。I’llneedspecialfirerangers，an’allotherrangersmustbetrainedtofightfire，an’thenanymenlivinginorneartheforestwillbepaidtohelp。Thethingtodoiswatchforthesmallfiresan’putthemout。Campersmustbemadetoputouttheirfiresbeforeleavingcamp。Brushpilesan’slashesmustn’tbeburnedindryorwindyweather。"
JustwhereweleftofftalkingIcouldnotremember，forIdroppedofftosleep。Iseemedhardlytohaveclosedmyeyeswhenthehuntercalledmeinthemorning。Thebreakfastwassmokingonthered—hotcoals，andoutsidethecabinallwasdensegrayfog。
When，soonafter，westarteddownthecanyon，thefogwasliftingandtheforestgrowinglighter。Everythingwasaswhitewithfrostasifithadsnowed。Athin，brittlefrostcrackledunderourfeet。Whenwe，hadgottenbelowtherockyconfinesofthecanyonweclimbedtheslopetothelevelridge。Hereitwasimpossiblenottobelieveithadsnowed。Theforestwasasstillasnight，andlookedverystrangewiththewhiteaisleslinedbyblacktreetrunksandthegrayfogshroudingthetree—tops。Soonwewereclimbingagain，andIsawthatHirammeanttoheadthecanyonwhereIhadleftDick。
Thefogsplitandblewaway，andthebrilliantsunlightchangedtheforest。
Thefrostbegantomelt，andtheairwasfullofmist。Weclimbedandclimbed——outofthestatelyyellow—pinezone，upamongthegnarledandblastedspruces，overandaroundstripsofweatheredstone。OnceIsawacold，whitesnow—peak。Itwashardenoughformetocarrymyrifleandkeepupwiththehunterwithouttalking。Besides，Hiramhadansweredmerathershortly，andIthoughtitbesttokeepsilent。Fromtimetotimehestoppedtolisten。Thenwhenheturnedtogodowntheslopebetrodcarefully，andcautionedmenottoloosenstones，andhewentslowerandyetslower。FromthisImadesurewewerenotfarfromthespringhole。
"Thar’sthecanyon，"hewhispered，stoppingtopointbelow，whereablack，irregularlinemarkedthegorge。"Ihaven’theerdathing，an’we’reclose。
Mebbethey’reasleep。Mebbemostofthemaretrallin’you，an’Ihopeso。
Now，don’tyouputyourhandorfootonanythin’thet’llmakeanoise。"
Thenheslippedoff，anditwaswonderfultoseehownoiselesslyhestepped，andhowhemovedbetweentreesanddeadbrancheswithoutasound。
Imanagedprettywell，yetmorethanoncearattlingstoneorabrokenbranchstoppedHiramshortandmadehimliftawarninghand。
Atlastwegotdowntothenarrowbenchwhichseparatedthecanyon—slopefromthedeepcut。Itwaslevelandroughlystrewnwithboulders。Herewetooktoallfoursandcrawled。Itwaseasytomoveherewithoutnoise，forthegroundwasrockyandhard，andtherewasnobrush。
SuddenlyIfairlybumpedintothehunter。Lookingup，IsawthathehadhaltedonlyafewfeetfromtheedgeofthegorgewhereIhadclimbedoutinmyescape。Hewaslistening。Therewasnotasoundsavethedullroarofrushingwater。
Hiramslidforwardalittle，androsecautiouslytolookover。Ididthesame。WhenIsawthecaveandthespring—holeIfeltacatchinmythroat。
Buttherewasnotamaninsight。Dick’scaptorshadbrokencamp;theyweregone。Theonlythingleftinthegorgetoshowtheyhadeverbeentherewasaburned—outcampfire。
"They’regone，"Iwhispered。
"Wal，it’pearsso，"repliedHiram。"An’it’samoveIdon’tlike。
Youngster，it’syoutheywant。Leslie’snoparticularusetothem。They’llhavetolethimgosoonerorlater，iftheyhain’talready。"
"What’llwedonow？"
"Maketracks。We’llcutbackacrosttheridgean’gitsomeblanketsan’
grub，thenlightoutfortheothersideofPenetier。"
Ithoughttheoldhunterhadmaderapidtimeonourwayup，butnowIsawwhathereallymeantby"makingtracks。"Fortunately，afterashort，killingclimb，thereturnwasalldown—hill。OnestrideofHiram’sequalledtwoofmine，andhemadehisfaster，sothatIhadtotrotnowandthentocatchup。VerysoonIwasashotasfire，andeverystepwasaneffort。ButIkeptthinkingofDick，ofmymustangandoutfit，andIvowedIwouldsticktoHiramBent’strailtillIdropped。ForthematterofthatIdiddropmorethanoncebeforewereachedthecabin。
AshortrestwhileHiramwaspackingafewthingsputmerightagain。I
strappedmyrifleovermyshoulder，andthenwentouttountiemybearcub。
Itwouldhavecostmeagreatdealtoleavehimbehind。IknewIoughtto，stillIcouldnotbringmyselftoit。AllmylifeIhadwantedabearcub。
HerewasonethatIhadhelpedtolassoandtieupwithmyownhands。I
madeupmymindtoholdtothecubuntilthelastgasp。
SoIwalkeduptoCubbywithamannermoreboldthansincere。Hehadnoteatenanything，buthehaddrunkthewaterwehadleftforhim。TomysurprisehemadenofusswhenIuntiedtherope;ontheotherhand，heseemedtolookpleased，andIthoughtIdetectedacunninggleaminhislittleeyes。Hepaddledawaydownthecanyon，and，asthiswasinthedirectionwewantedtogo，Igavehimslackropeandfollowed。
"Wal，you’regoin’tohavearightperttime，youngster，an’don’tyouforgetit，"saidHiramBent。
Thetruthofthatwasverysooninevidence。Cubbywouldnotletwellenoughalone，andhewouldnothaveaslackrope。Ithinkhewantedtochokehimselforpullmyarmsout。WhenIrealizedthatCubbywasthreetimesasstrongasIwasIbegantoseethatmyworkwascutoutforme。
Themore，however，thathejerkedmeandhauledmealong，themoreI
determinedtohangon。IthoughtIhadagenuineloveforhimuptothetimehehadalmostknockedmyheadoff，butitwasfunnyhoweasilyherousedmyangerafterthat。Whatwouldhavehappenedhadhetakenanotiontogothroughthebrush？Luckilyhekepttothetrail，whichcertainlywasroughenough。So，withwatchingthecubandkeepingmyfeetfreeofrootsandrocks，Ihadnochancetolookahead。StillIhadnoconcernaboutthis，fortheoldhunterwasatmyheels，andIknewhewouldkeepasharplookout。
BeforeIwasawareofitwehadgottenoutofthenarrowcanyonintoavalleywithwell—timberedbottom，andopen，slowrisingslopes。WeweregettingdownintoPenetier。Cubbyswervedfromthetrailandstarteduptheleftslope。Ididnotwanttogo，butIhadtokeepwithhim，andthatwastheonlyway。Thehunterstrodebehindwithoutspeaking，andsoIgatheredthatthedirectionsuitedhim。ByleaningbackontheropeIwalkeduptheslopeaseasilyasifitwereamovingstairway。Cubbypulledmeup;Ihadonlytomovemyfeet。WhenwereachedaleveloncemoreIdiscoveredthatthecubwasgrowingstrongerandwantedtogofaster。Wezigzaggedacrosstheridgetothenextcanyon，whichataglanceIsawwasdeepandsteep。
"Thet’llbesomeworkgoin’downthat！"calledHiram。"Letmepackyourgun。"
Iwouldhavebeengladtogiveittohim，buthowwasItomanage？Icouldnotletgooftherope，andHiram，ladenashewas，couldnotcatchupwithme。Thensuddenlyitwastoolate，forCubbylungedforwardanddown。
Thisfirstdownwardjumpwasnotvicious——onlyaplayfuloneperhaps，bywayofinitiatingme;butitupsetme，andIwasdraggedinthepine—needles。Ididnotleaptomyfeet;Iwasjerkedup。Thenbeganawildchasedownthatsteep，bushyslope。Cubbygotgoing，andIcouldnomorehavecheckedhimthanIcouldasteam—engine。VerysoonIsawthatnotonlywasthebearcubrunningaway，buthewasrunningawaywithme。Isliddownyellowplaceswheretheearthwasexposed，Itorethroughthickets，I
dodgedathousandtrees。InsomegrassydescentsitwasasifIhadseven—leagueboots。Imusthavebrokenallrecordsforjumps。AllatonceI
stumbledjustasCubbymadeaspurtandflewforward，alightingfacedownward。Idugupthepine——needleswithmyoutstretchedhands，Iscrapedwithmyfaceandploughedwithmynose，Iatethedust;andwhenIbroughtupwithajoltagainstalogamorefuriousboythanKenWarditwouldbebardtoimagine。Leapingup，Istrovewitheveryounceofmighttoholdinthebear。Butthoughfurylentmenewstrength，hekepttheadvantage。
PresentlyIsawthebottomofthecanyon，anopenglade，andanoldlog—cabin。Ilookedbacktoseeifthehunterwascoming。Hewasnotinsight，butIfanciedIheardhim。ThenCubby，puttingonextrasteam，tooktheremainingrodsoftheslopeinanotherspurt。Ihadtorace，thenfly，andatlastlostmyfootingandplungeddownintoathicket。
Therefartherprogressstoppedforbothofus。CubbyhadgonedownononesideofasaplingandIontheother，withtheresultthatwewerebroughtupshort。Icrashedthroughsomelowbushesandbumpedsquarelyintothecub。Whetheritwashisfranticefforttoescape，orjustexcitement，ordeliberateintentiontobeatmeintoajellyIhadnomeanstotell。Thefactwashebegantodigatmeandpawmeandmaulme。NeverhadIbeensoangry。Ibegantofightback，topunchandkickhim。
Suddenly，withacrashinginthebushes，thecubwashauledawayfromme，andthenIsawHiramattherope。
"Wal，wal！"heejaculated，"yourownmotherwouldn’townyounow！"Thenhelaughedheartilyandchuckledtohimself，andgavethecubacoupleofjerksthattookthemischiefoutofhim。IdraggedmyselfafterHiramintotheglade。Thecabinwaslargeandveryold，andpartoftheroofwassunkenin。
"We’llhangupherean’camp，"saidHiram。"Thisisanoldhunters’cabin，an’kinderoutoftheway。We’llhitchthislittlefighterinside，wheremebbehewon’tbesonoisy。"
Thehunterhauledthecubupshort，andhalfpulled，halfliftedhimintothedoor。Itookoffmyrifle，emptiedmypocketsofbrushandbeatoutthedust，andcombedthepine—needlesfrommyhair。Myhandswerepuffedandred，andsmartedseverely。AndaltogetherIwasinnoamiableframeofmindasregardedmycaptivebearcub。
WhenIsteppedinsidethecabinitwasdark，andcomingfromthebrightlightIcouldnotforamomentseewhattheinteriorlookedlike。PresentlyImadeoutonelargeroomwithnoopeningexceptthedoor。Therewasatumble—downstonefireplaceatoneend，andattheotherarudeladderleduptoaloft。Hiramhadthrownhispackaside，andhadtiedCubbytoapeginthelogwall。
"Wal，I’llfetchinsomefreshvenison，"saidthehunter。"Yourestawhile，an’thengathersomewoodan’makeafire。"
TherestIcertainlyneeded，forIwassotiredIcouldscarcelyuntiethepacktogetouttheblankets。Thebearcubshowedsignsorweariness，whichpleasedme。ItwasnotlongafterHiram’sdeparturethatIsankintoadoze。
WhenmyeyesopenedIknewIhadbeenawakenedbysomething，butIcouldnottellwhat。Ilistened。Cubbywasasquietasamouse，andhisveryquietandthealertwayheheldhisearsgavemeavaguealarm。Hehadheardsomething。Ithoughtoftheoldhunter’sreturn，yetthisdidnotreassureme。
Allatoncethevoicesofmenmademesitupwithaviolentstart。Whocouldtheybe？HadHirammetaranger？Ibegantoshakealittle，andwasabouttocreeptothedoorwhenIheardtheclinkofstirrupsandsoftthudofhoofs。Thenfollowedmorevoices，andlastaloudvolleyofcurses。
"Herky—Jerky！"Igasped，andlookedaboutwildly。
Ihadnotimetodashoutofthedoor。Iwascaughtinatrap，andIfeltcoldandsick。SuddenlyIcaughtsightoftheladderleadingtotheloft。
LikeamonkeyIranup，andcrawledasnoiselesslyaspossibleuponthericketyflooringofdrypinebranches。ThenIlaytherequivering。
XIV。APRISONER
ItchancedthatasIlayonmysidemyeyecaughtagleamoflightthroughalittleraggedholeinthemattingofpinebranches。Partoftheinteriorofthecabin，thedoorway，andsomespaceoutsidewereplainlyvisible。Thethudofhorseshadgivenplacetosnorts，andthencameafloppingofsaddlesandpacksontheground。"Anywaterhyar？"askedagruffvoiceI
recognizedasBill’s。"Springrightthar，"repliedavoiceIknewtobeBud’s。
"Youoneryoldcayuse，standstill！"
FromthatIgatheredHerkywastakingthesaddleoffhishorse。
"Here，Leslie，I’lluntieyou——ifyou’llpromisenottobolt。"
ThatvoicewasBuell’s。Iwouldhaveknownitamongathousand。AndDickwasstillaprisoner。
"Bolt！IfyouletmelooseI’llbeatyourfatheadoff！"repliedDick。"Ha！
Alotyoucareaboutmysorewrists。You’reweakening，Buell，andyouknowit。You’vegotayellowstreak。"
"Shetup！"saidHerky，inalow，sharptone。Asilencefollowed。"Buell，lookhyarinthetrail。Tracks！Goin’inan’comin’out。"
"Howoldarethey？"
"I’llbetahosstheyain’tanhourold。"
"Somebody’susin’thecabin，eh？"
Thementhenfelltowhispering，andIcouldnotunderstandwhatwassaid，butIfanciedtheywerethinkingonlyofme。Mymindworkedfast。BuellandhisfellowshadsurelynotrunacrossHiramBent。Hadtheoldhunterdesertedme？Ifloutedsuchathought。Itwasnexttoacertaintythathehadseenthelumbermen，andforreasonsbestknowntohimselfhadnotreturnedtothecabin。Buthewasouttheresomewhereamongthepines，andIdidnotthinkanyofthoseruffianswassafe。
ThenIheardstealthyfootstepsapproaching。SoonIsawtheMexicanslippingcautiouslytothedoor。Hepeepedwithin。Probablytheinteriorwasdarktohim，asithadbeentome。Hewasnotacoward，forhesteppedinside。
Atthatinstanttherewasaclinkingsound，arushandaroar，andablackmassappearedtohurlitselfupontheMexican。Hewentdownwithapiercingshriek。Thenbeganafearfulcommotion。Screamsandroarsmingledwiththenoiseofcombat。Isawawhirlingcloudofdustonthecabinfloor。ThecubhadjumpedontheMexican。WhatanunmercifulbeatinghewasgivingthatGreaser！Icouldhaveyelledoutinmyglee。Ihadtobitemytonguetokeepfromurgingonmydocilelittlepetbear。Greasersurelythoughthehadfalleninwithhisevilspirit，forhehowledtothesaintstosavehim。
Herky—Jerkywastheonlyoneofhiscompanionsbraveenoughtostarttohelphim。
"Thecabin’sfullofb’ars！"heyelled。
Athiscrythebearleapedoutofthecloudofdust，andshotacrossthethresholdlikeblacklightning。InhisonslaughtuponGreaserhehadbrokenhishalter。Herky—Jerkystooddirectlyinhispath。Icaughtonlyaglimpse，butitservedtoshowthatHerkywasbadlyscared。ThecubdoveatHerky，underhim，straightbetweenhislegslikeagreasedpig，and，spillinghimalloverthetrail，spedonoutofsight。Herkyraisedhimself，andthenhesatthere，redasalobster，andbawledcurseswhilehemadehishugerevolverspurtflameonflame。
Icouldnotseetheothermen，buttheiruproariousmirthcouldhavebeenheardhalfamileaway。WhenitdawneduponHerky，hewassofuriousthathespatatthemlikeanangrycatandclickedhisemptyrevolver。
ThenGreaserlurchedoutofthedoor。Igotaglimpseofhim，and，forawonder，wasactuallysorryforhim。Helookedasifhehadbeenthroughathreshing—machine。
"Haw！haw！Ho！ho！"roaredthemerrylumbermen。
Thentheytroopedintothecabin。Buellheadedtheline，andHerky，sullenlyreloadinghisrevolver，camelast。Atfirsttheygropedaroundinthedimlight，stumblingovereverything。Partofthetimetheywereinthelightspacenearthedoor，andtherestIcouldnotseethem。Iscarcelydaredtobreathe。Ifeltacreepychill，andmyeyesightgrewdim。
"Whodoesthisstuffbelongto，anyhow？"Buellwassaying。"An’whatwasthetbeardoin’inhere？"
"Hewasropedup——hyar’sthehitch，"answeredBud。
"An’hyar’sarifle——Winchester——ain’tbeenusedmuch。Buell，it’sthetkid’s！"
Iheardrapidfootstepsandsmotheredexclamations。
"Takeitfromme，you’reright！"ejaculatedBuell。"Wejestmissedhim。
Herky，themtracksoutthere？Somebody’swiththisboy——who？"
"It’sJimWilliams，"putinDickLeslie，cool—voicedandthreatening。
ThelittlestillnessthatfollowedhiswordswasbrokenbyBuell。
"Naw！’Twasn’tWilliams。Youcan’tbluffthisbunch，Leslie。ByyourownwordsWilliamsislookin’forus，an’ifhe’slookin’foranybodyIknowhe’slookin’for’em。See！"
"Buell，thekid’sfellinwitholdBent，theb’arhunter，"saidBill。"Thetaccountsferthecub。Bent’sallusgotcubs，an’kittens，an’sich。An’
I’lltellyou，heain’tnobetterfriendofournthanJimWilliams。"
"I’daboutassoontackleWilliamsasBent，"putinBud。
Buellshookhisfist。"Whatluckthekidhas！ButI’llgethim，takeitfromme！Now，what’sbesttodo？"
"Buell，thegame’sgoingagainstyou，"saidDickLeslie。"Thepenitentiaryiswhereyou’llfinish。You’dbetterletmeloose。OldBentwillfindJimWilliams，andthenyoufellowswillbeupagainstit。There’sgoingtobesomebodykilled。Thebestthingforyoutodoistoletmegoandthencutoutyourself。"
Buellbreathedasheavilyasaporpoise，andhisfootstepspoundedhard。
"Leslie，I’mseein’thisout——understand？WhenBudrodedowntothemillan’
toldmethekidhadgotawayImadeupmymindtoketchhiman’shethismouth——onewayoranother。An’I’lldoit。Takethetfromme！"
"Bah！"sneeredDick。"You’resca’redintothemiddleofnextweekrightnow……Besides，ifyoudoketchKenitwon’tdoyouanygood—now！"
"What？"
ButDickshutuplikeaclam，andnotanotherwordcouldbegottenfromhim。Buellfumedandstamped。
"Bud，you’retheonlyoneinthisbunchofloggerheadsthethasanysense。
Whatd’yousay？"
"Quietdownan’waithere，"repliedBud。"MebbeoldBentdidn’thearthemshotsofHerky’s。Hemaycomeback。Let’swaitawhile，an’，ifhedoesn’tcome，putHerkyonthetrail。"
"Good！Greaser，gooutan’hidethehosses——drivethemupthecanyon。"
TheMexicanshuffledout，andalltheotherssettleddowntoquiet。Iheardsomeofthemlighttheirpipes。Budleanedagainsttheleftofthedoor，Buellsatontheotherside，andbeyondthemIsawasmuchofHerkyashisboots。Iknewhimbyhisbow—legs。
Thestillnessthatsetinbegantobehardonme’。WhenthemenweremovingaboutandtalkingIhadbeensointerestedthatmypredicamentdidnotoccupymymind。Butnow，withthoseruffianswaitingsilentlybelow，Iwasbesetwithathousandfears。TheveryconsciousnessthatImustbequietmadeitalmostimpossible。ThenIbecameawarethatmyonepositioncrampedmyarmandside。Amillionpricklingneedleswereatmyelbow。Abandasofsteeltightenedaboutmybreast。Igrewhotandcold，andtrembled。Iknewtheslightestmovewouldbefatal，soIbentallmymindtolyingquietasastone。
Greasercamelimpingbackintothecabin，andfoundaseatwithoutanyonespeaking。ItwassostillthatIheardthesilkenrustleofpaperasherolledacigarette。Momentsthatseemedlongasyearspassed，withmymusclesclampedasinavise。IfonlyIhadlaindownuponmyback！ButthereIwas，halfraisedonmyelbow，inamostawkwardanduncomfortableposition。Itriednottomindthetinglinginmyarm，buttothinkofHiram，ofJim，ofmymustang。ButpresentlyIcouldnotthinkofanythingexceptthecertaintythatIwouldsoonlosecontrolofmymusclesandfallover。
Thetinglingchangedtoapainfulvibration，andperspirationstungmyface。Thestrainbecameunbearable。Allofasuddensomethingseemedtobreakwithinme，andmymusclesbegantorippleandshake。Ihadnopowertostopit。Morethanthat，thefeelingwassoterriblethatIknewIwouldwelcomediscoveryasarelief。
"Sh—s—s—h！"whisperedsomeonebelow。
Iturnedmyeyesdowntothepeep—hole。Budhadmovedoversquarelyintothelightofthedoor。Hewasbendingoversomething。Thenheextendedhishand，backuppermost，towardBuell。Onthebackofthatbroadbrownhandwerepiecesofleafandbitsofpine—needles。Thetremblingofmybodyhadshakenthesefromthebrushonthericketyloft。Morethanthat，intheyellowbarofsunlightwhichstreamedinatthedoortherefloatedparticlesofdust。
Budsilentlylookedupward。Therewasagleaminhisblackeyes，andhismouthwasagape。Buell’sgazefollowedBud’s，andhisfacegrewcurious，intent，thenfixedinacunning，boldsmileofsatisfaction。Herosetohisfeet。
"Comedownouto’thet！"heordered，harshly。"Comedown！"
Thesoundofhisvoicestilledmytrembling。Ididnotmovenorbreathe。I
sawBuellloomuphugelyandBudslowlyrise。Herky—Jerky’sbootssuddenlystoodonend，andIknewthenhehadalsorisen。ThesilencewhichfollowedBuell’sorderwassodensethatitoppressedme。
"Comedown！"repeatedBuell。
Therewasnohintofdoubtinhisdeepvoice，butacoldcertaintyandabrutalnote。Ihadfearedthemanbefore，butthatgavemenewterror。
"Bud，climbtheladder，"commandedBuell。
"Iain’tstuckonthetjob，"rejoinedBud。
Ashisheavybootsthumpedontheladdertheyjarredthewholecabin。Myverydesperationfilledmewiththefiercenessofacorneredanimal。I
caughtsightofashortbranchofthethicknessofaman’sarm，and，graspingit，Islowlyraisedmyself。WhenBud’sblack，roundheadappearedabovetheloftIhititwithallmymight。
Budbawledlikeawoundedanimal，andfelltothegroundwiththenoiseofaloadofbricks。Throughmypeep—holeIsawhimwrithing，withbothhandspressedtohishead。Then，lyingflatonhisback，hewhippedouthisrevolver。Isawtheredspurt，thepuffofsmoke。Bang！
Abulletzippedthroughthebrush，andtoreaholethroughtheroof。
Bang！Bang！
Ifeltahot，tearingpaininmyarm。
"Stop，youblackidiot！"yelledBuell。HekickedtherevolveroutofBud’shand。"Whatd’youmeanbythet？"
InthemomentarysilencethatfollowedIlistenedintently，evenwhileI
heldtightlytomyarm。Fromitsfeelingmyarmseemedtobeshotoff，butitwasonlyaflesh—wound。AfterthefirstinstantofshockIwasnotscared。Butbloodflowedfast。Warm，oily，slippery，itrandowninsidemyshirtsleeveanddrippedoffmyfingers。
"Bud，"hoarselyspokeupBill，breakingthestillness，"mebbeyoukilledhim！"
Buellcoughed，asifchoking。
"What’sthet？"Foroncehisdeepvoicewaspitchedlow。"Listen。"
Drip！drip！drip！Itwaslikethesoundofwaterdrippingfromaleakinaroof。Itwasdirectlyunderme，and，quickasthought，Iknewthesoundwasmadebymyowndrippingblood。
"Findthet，somebody，"orderedBuell。
Drip！drip！drip！
Oneofthemensteppednoisily。
"Hyaritis——thar，"saidBill。"Lookonmyhand……Blood！Iknowedit。
Budgothim，allright。"
Therewasasuddenrustlingsuchasmightcomefromaquick，strainedmovement。
"Buell，"criedDickLeslie。inpiercingtones，"Heavenhelpyoumurderingthievesifthatboy’skilled！I’llseeyoustrunguprightinthisforest。
Ken，speak！Speak！"
Itseemedthen，inmypainandbitterness，thatIwouldratherletBuellthinkmedead。Dick’svoicewentstraighttomyheart，butImadenoanswer。
"Leslie，Ididn’tkillhim，an’Ididn’torderit，"saidBuell，inavoicestrangelyshrunkandshaken。"Imeantnoharmtothelad……Goup，Bud，an’gethim。"
Budmadenomove，nordidGreaserwhenhewasordered。"Goup，somebody，an’seewhat’supthere！"shoutedBuell。"Strikesmeyoumightgoyourself，"saidBill，coolly。
WithagrowlBuellmountedtheladder。WhenhisgreatshockheadhoveinsightIwasseizedbyamaddesiretogivehimalittleofhisownmedicine。WithbothhandsIliftedthepieceofpinebranchandbroughtitdownwitheveryounceofstrengthinme。
LikeapistolitcrackedonBuell’sheadandsnappedintobits。Thelumbermangaveasmotheredgroan，thenclattereddowntheladderandrolledonthefloor。Therehelayquiet。
"All—fireddead——thetkid——now，ain’the？"saidBud，sarcastically。"How’dyoulikethetcrackontheknob？You’llneedalargersizehat，mebbe。
Herky—Jerky，yougoupan’seewhat’supthere。"
"I’veapictureofmyselfgoin’，"repliedHerky，withoutmoving。
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