CHAPTER VII
THE GRIZZLY AT BAY
"Boys, do you want to see some fun?" called the ranchman as he came up.
"Always ready for that sort of thing, sir. What's going on?" askedFrank.
"An old friend of ours, whom we call 'Mountain Charlie,' has brokenbounds at last, and is even now trying to drag one of my best yearlingsoff to the mountain canyon where he has his den," replied the other.
"Mountain Charlie?" repeated Frank, mystified.
"And has a den in the mountains, too! What sort of a beast is that? Orcan it be a wild man?" asked Bluff.
The ranchman laughed heartily.
"I forgot you were tenderfeet, boys. We call a grizzly by that name outhere. This fellow we have known for some time. Hunting him has neverproven a profitable business, and, as a rule, he has never before comeso far out in the open; but hunger tempted the old chap, and the man whogalloped in told me he was even then dragging the yearling he had killedin the direction of the hills."
"Oh! if we could only get there in time to see them shoot him!"exclaimed Will, hitching his camera a little closer to his body.
"That's just what you're going to see. I sent word that he was not to behurt until we arrived. Horses are being hitched up for us all. I supposeyou can ride, boys?" inquired the owner of the ranch.
"To a certain extent, though I suppose your cowboys will think us prettypunky at it," answered Jerry.
"But we mean to learn everything we can while here," piped up Bluffearnestly.
"Good for you! These horses are only old plugs, however, so there's nofear of them running away with you; and here they come."
Several cowboys came toward them, each leading a number of horses. Frankthought that for "old plugs," the four intended for himself and chumspossessed considerable of the fire that had animated them in otheryears.
"Up you go, boys. Take your pick. Then we're off."
Each seized upon the nearest animal, and, making use of the stirrup,threw himself into the saddle. As Jerry had said, all of them hadfrequently ridden at home, and indeed considered that they knew as muchabout a saddle as the average boy of the East; but that amounted to verylittle out here, where every one almost lived upon the back of abroncho.
"Wow! But this is going some!" said Jerry as the whole group dashedmadly up the valley.
"I only hope I don't lose my camera in the rush," came from Will, whowas having troubles of his own in the rear.
"Look ahead, fellows! You can see what's going on, now!" called Frank,who kept alongside the ranchman in the lead.
"Why, there's the bear, as sure as you live!" Bluff gasped.
"But what's he trying to do? First he rushes one way, and then turnsaround to make a bolt at the other side. He must be getting rattled."
"Don't you see, Jerry, they've got him lassoed? He wants to tackle anyone of those three cowboys, but he just can't, with as many ropespulling him in three directions."
"Talk to me about that, will you, Frank!" cried Jerry. "I never expectedto see a grizzly bear held up in a rope like a steer. Look at the gamelittle ponies on their haunches, and holding like fun. They seemsomewhat scared, too, pard. Between you and me, I don't blame 'em a bit.I'd hate to think that big beast was aiming to get a grip on me."
It was just as Jerry said. The cowboys had headed the grizzly off sothat he was unable to gain the safety of the wild mountain gorges.Doubtless he had been loth to leave his prey at the approach of theriders, and this had contributed to his final undoing.
One after another three of them had dropped their ropes over the head ofthe grizzly as he reared himself on his hind legs. The lariats stretchedlike piano wires under the strain, and as the cowboys had taken uppositions in a sort of triangle they could keep the bear from making anysort of rush.
"Watch and see the fun," said Mr. Mabie, who had made sure to fetch hisrifle along when coming from the ranch house; but he did not seem in anyhurry to utilize the same.
Will, of course, immediately made good use of his camera.
Meanwhile, wilder grew the exertions of the trapped grizzly. He wassnarling with rage. The foam gathered about his mouth, and Frankshuddered as he saw the cruel teeth, not to speak of the long, deadlyand poisonous claws.
"Hey, Bluff! If you only had that gentle little knife of yours handy,now would be a fine chance to rush in and have a tussle with that meekgrizzly! You know you told us all just how you meant to slay thejabbercock with one straight blow."
Bluff did not make any verbal reply to this unkind thrust on the part ofJerry, but Frank, looking at him, saw that his face was deadly pale, andthat he was staring at the terrible monster with whom the recklesscowboys were playing as a cat does with a mouse. He knew Bluff wasfeeling a chill at the thought of such a tragedy happening as his havingan encounter with a beast like that.
"What if the ropes should break?" asked Frank as the captive made a moreferocious rush than usual, and the pony on the other side was draggedseveral feet.
"Then there would be somewhat of a mix-up, and a case of every man forhimself. They'd expect me to show that I hadn't altogether forgotten mycraft in connection with handling a rifle. Once I used to be a crackshot, but lack of experience plays hob with a man's nerves," repliedMr. Mabie, as he sat upon his steed and played with the repeating riflehe held.
"I see you are enjoying the situation, boys. Would one of you like towind him up?" and the ranchman turned to Frank.
"I don't believe I would, sir," laughed that worthy.
"How about you, Jerry?"
"I've often dreamed of shooting such game, but excuse me, Mr. Mabie, itwould be too much like the butcher business to please me," observed theother.
At this the stockman laughed.
"Oh, I can understand that principle of honor in a true sportsman, mylad, and I must say it does you credit; but when you come to knowgrizzlies better, and appreciate their terrible strength, you'll agreewith the rest of us that a man has to forget such things when he gets achance to puncture the hide of so fierce a monster as this old rogue. Hecould kill a horse with a single blow, or tear one into shreds withthose claws. If I can get my mount to go a little closer, I'll try towind him up with a single ball, but it's difficult to shoot from theback of a nervous pony."
He began to speak to his steed, which was striking the turf with itshoofs, and champing at the bit, as if terrified at such close proximityto, an animal so greatly to be dreaded.
Then suddenly there was a wild shout from the cowboys, and Frank,looking, saw one of them whirling his horse in wild flight, and dashingtoward the group. He seemed to guess instinctively what hadhappened--the rope of the opposite rider must have broken under thetremendous strain. This really left the grizzly free, and, filled withmad rage, he was galloping straight toward them!