The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon | Page 4

the animal would remain there,
just as if hobbled, or staked out.
Both of the saddle boys followed his example, and, holding their rifles
ready, prepared to search the rocks for some trace of the wolf den. Wild
animals may be very cunning about locating their retreat in a place
where it will be hidden from the eye of a casual passer; but, in course
of time, they cannot prevent signs from accumulating, calculated to
betray its presence to one who is keenly on the watch.

The three searchers had not been moving back and forth among the
piles of rocks more than ten minutes when Old Hank was observed to
raise his head, smile, and sniff the air with more or less eagerness.
"Must be close by, boys," he said, positively. "I kin git the rank odor
that allers hangs 'round the den of wild animals as brings meat home,
an' leaves the bones. The air is a-comin' from that quarter, an' chances
are we'll find the hole sumwhar over yonder."
"I think I see it," said Frank, eagerly. "Just above that little spur there's
a black looking crevice in the rock."
"As dark as my hat," added Hank; "an' I reckon as how that's whar
Sallie lives when she's t' home. Now t' invite ourselves int' her leetle
parlor, boys!"
CHAPTER II
RIDDING THE RANGE OF A PEST
"Well, what do you think now, Frank?" asked Bob, as they stood in
front of that gloomy looking crevice, and observed the marks of many
claws upon the discolored rock, where hairy bodies had drawn
themselves along countless times.
"I'm wondering," the other replied; "what ails our boys at the ranch
never to have suspected that old Sallie had her den, and raised her
broods, so close to the Circle Ranch. Why, right now we're not more'n
ten miles, as the crow flies, away from home. And for years this terrible
she-wolf has lived on the calves and partly grown animals belonging to
cattlemen in this neck of the land. It makes me tired to think of it!"
"But Frank, it's a long lane that has no turning," remarked Bob; "and
just now we've got to the bend. Sallie has invited her fate once too
often. That lame yearling is going to spell her finish, if Old Hank here
has his way."
"It sure is," agreed Frank. "And when we get back home with the hide

of that old pest fastened to a saddle, the boys will be some sore to think
how anyone of the lot might have done the job, if they'd only turned
this way."
"But what's Hank going to do?" asked the Kentucky boy, watching the
veteran cow-puncher searching on the ground under a stunted pinon
tree that chanced to grow where there was a small bit of soil among the
rocks.
"I don't know for a dead certainty," replied the other; "but I rather think
he's picking up some pieces of wood that might make good torches."
"Whew! then he means that we're to go into the cave, and get our
game--is that it, Frank?" demanded the other, unconsciously tightening
his grip on his rifle, as he glanced once more toward that yawning
crevice, leading to unknown depths, where the wolf pack lurked during
the daytime to issue forth when night came around.
"That would be just like the old chap, for he knows nothing of fear,"
Frank replied; "but of course there's no necessity for both of us to go
with him. One might remain here, so as to knock over any stray beast
that managed to escape the attention of those who went in."
"All right; where will you take up your stand, Frank?" asked Bob,
instantly; at which his chum laughed, as though tickled.
"So you think I'd consent to stay out here tamely, while you two were
having a regular circus in there?" he remarked. "That would never suit
me. And it's easy to see that you count on a ticket of admission to
Sallie's parlor, too. Well, then, we'll all go, and share in the danger, as
well as the sport. For to rid the range country of this pest I consider the
greatest favor under the sun. But there comes Hank with a bundle of
torches under his arm."
"We're off, then!" chuckled Bob.
"Make sure o' yer guns, lads," said the cowman, as he came up;
"because, in a case like this, when ye want t' shoot it's apt t' be in a

hurry. An' anybody as knows what a fierce critter ole Sallie is, kin tell
ye it'll take an ounce of lead, put in the right place, t' down her fur
keeps."
"I'm ready," Frank assured the old hunter.
"Then, jest as soon's I kin git this flare goin'