The Saddle Boys of the Rockies; Or, Lost on Thunder Mountain

he time the frightened cayuse made a sudden bolt upon sigh

ony rushed wildly away, heading up the wide gully, as though with a full knowledge of where it was going. And the poor litt

each passing second, eager to strike down the burro with one savage blow from his mighty paw with it

was apparently directly in the path of the hungry bear. And when his pony had fled in such

most feared wild beast to be found in all the

surged over Frank. With but a knife, or even a revolver to back him up, such a

Frank!" said a trembl

hat he was clutching a rifle in his shaking hands. How he had managed to get hold of t

looked as big as a house to him, for he was very much excited. But he had true Kentucky pluck, and even that circumstance did not make him quail.

may, as well he might. It was not too late, even then, for the boy to have escaped, could he have understood the real situ

he early morning sun. Why, the little chap had actually drawn his knife, as though that trifli

e same he showed himself game. Frank was amazed

f the bear toward himself. This might cause the grizzly to change his course, and allow of a few more seconds' delay. It would a

ainst the trunk of a tree not far off. He sprang to secure the firearm, in the belie

ey did not succeed as he had hoped. Bruin seemed to know that a feast awaited him as soon as he could clea

ind some sort of rest for his gun, since his shaking hands could hardly b

ing, even as he drew back the hammer of his rifle, Frank saw that the bear had finally turned away from temptation in the way of meat and

is repeater. He seemed cool, although perhaps only he himself

ious than before. At the same time, however, he stumbled, and fell over sideways.

if tremendously excited at the moment, they seemed to remembe

reached a vital point in the region of his heart. He was floundering about unevenly, while t

growing weaker. "He's a goner, as sure as shooting! Look at him wobble! Wow! there he goes over, to make his last kick

he threatening monster had been placed where he could do no more harm; but the little chap stared uneasily at the

of the rock. Still in a panic because of the wild animal odor so close at hand, the laden animal hurried off aft

h as though he, too, would like to

Bob. "Head him off, Frank; or shall I

dle chums the Mexican boy threw out

ake them. You have saved my life, Senors. Lopez, he thanks you both. Before now have I seen such a bear; but

His features were regular, if thin, and the big black eyes seemed to be filled with a courage beyond the ordinary. Indeed, they

n of help to you, Lopez," Frank remarked

staring very hard at Bob, and he wondered why. Then again he imagined that the boy must be keeping

t ill became him to decline to take t

eld the small palm of the Mexican in his own strong one for a moment, and looked

enough," the little fellow hastened to say; and Fra

of the great grizzly that had fallen before the guns of himself and his saddle chum, than the mere fact of this st

h he saw a sudden opening whereby his presence her

ith an intake of his breath, while he watched Bob narrowly, as if, somehow, he bel

small a chap on so long a trail. I should think it was more of a man's work, toting supplies across these mountai

up, and tried to assume a bold look. Th

een so tired and sleepy, perhaps even I might have shot the bear, who knows? It would not be the first I have seen, no, nor yet th

d, he would like to get the claws of this fellow, to

ther along the trail. There is no more danger; and my pack burro might sc

. Frank believed he had never seen such remarkable grace in any half-grown lad. Generally, at that age,

tle rascal wouldn't let us mother him? Say, look at his strut, will you? If he was heir to the throne of Alfonso he could

nd that clump of mesquite yonder," and Frank turned to look at his saddle mate with an expression

e I don't know the first thing about how it's done; and I thi

ow as I ever did a job like that, myself; but I've

rked away in silence. The

g those supplies to, didn't he; and that

e of it, Bob," returned

little Lopez was in touch with the rustlers. I mentioned that word

asked the ot

e as not he knew how to hide his feelings. He looked frightened when we talked of wantin

k. "Did you notice how he had a silk handkerch

striously after the fashion set by his chum. "And I also took notice that

!" ejaculated F

t yourself, I hope?" demanded hi

lied Frank, with an air of disgust, and a quick look up

you peep like that. Now, I reckon it might have been something about L

haps you'll laugh when I tell you. Remember that poor little girl Peg Grant was cuffing when you knocked him down? Well, if you too

d then the light of a grea

"Honest Indian, now, I believe you've