The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon | Page 5

we'll push in." Hank
announced.
"Will we be able to see the game with such a poor light?" asked Bob, a
trifle nervously, as his mind went back to school days, to remember
what he had read of that old Revolutionary patriot, Israel Putnam,
entering a wolf's den alone, and killing the beast in open fight; truth to
tell Bob had never seen a real den in which wild beasts hid from the
sun; and imagination doubled its perils in his mind.
"Fust thing ye see'll be some yaller eyes starin' at ye outen the dark,"
said Hank, obligingly. "Then, when I gives the word, both of ye let go,
aimin' direct atween the yaller spots."
"But what if we miss, and the beast attacks us?" Bob went on, wishing
to be thoroughly posted before venturing into that hole.
"In case of a mix-up," the veteran went on; "every feller is for hisself;
only, recerlect thar mustn't be any shootin' at close quarters. Use yer
knives, or else swat her over the head with yer clubbed guns. We're
bound t' git Sallie this time, by hook er by crook! Ready, son?"
Both boys declared that they had no reason for delaying matters. Since
it had been decided as best to invade the wolf den, the sooner they
started, the better.
True, Bob thought that had it been left to him, he would have first tried
to smoke out the occupants of the cleft, waiting near by to shoot them
down as they rushed out of the depths. But then Hank was directing
matters now, and whatever he said must be done.
Besides, Hank had known wolves ever since he first "toted" a gun, now

more than fifty-five years ago. Perhaps he understood how difficult it is
to smoke out a pack of wolves, that invariably seek a cave with a depth
sufficient to get away from all the influences of the smudge.
Without the slightest hesitation Old Hank got down on hands and knees,
and began to crawl into the gaping mouth of the crevice.
It did not go straight in, but seemed to twist around more or less. All
the while the two boys kept close at the heels of the guide who carried
that flaring torch. They watched ahead to detect the first sign of the
enemy; and had their ears on the alert with the same idea in view.
Stronger grew the odor that invariably marks the den of carnivorous
animals.
"We ought to stir her up soon now, Frank," whispered Bob, on whom
the strain was bearing hard, since he was not used to anything of this
sort.
"Yes, unless the sly old beast has a back door to her home; how about
that, Hank?" asked the cattleman's son.
"Don't reckon as how it's so," came the ready response. "In thet event,
we'd feel a breath of fresh air; an' ye knows as how we don't. Stiddy
boys, keep yer wits about ye! She's clost by, now!"
"I heard a growl!" admitted Bob.
"And there were whines too, from the half grown cubs," ventured
Frank.
"Once we turn this bend just ahead, likely enough we'll be in the mess,"
Bob remarked.
"Range on both sides of me, boys," directed Hank, halting, so that they
could overtake him; because he knew full well that the crisis of this
bold invasion of the she-wolf's den was near at hand.
In this fashion, then, the three turned the rocky corner.

"I see the yellow eyes!" whispered Bob, beginning to bring his
gun-stock nearer to his shoulder. "Say, there's a whole raft of 'em,
Frank!"
"Sure," came the quick reply, close to his ear. "Hank said there was
about five of the brood. Hold your fire, Bob. Pick out the mother wolf
first."
"That's what I want to do; but how can I make sure?" demanded the
Kentucky lad, trying his best to keep his hands from trembling with
excitement.
He had sunk down upon one knee. This allowed him to rest his elbow
on the knee that was in position, always a favorite attitude with Bob
when using a rifle.
"Take the eyes that are above all the rest, and which seem so much
larger and fiercer. Are you on, Bob?" continued the other, who was also
handling his gun with all the eagerness of a sportsman.
"Yes," came the firm reply.
"Then let her go!"
The last word was drowned in a terrific roar, for when a gun is fired in
confined space the din is tremendous. Even as he pulled the trigger Bob
knew that luck was against him; for the animal had moved at a time
when he could not delay the pressure of his finger.
He heard a second report close beside him. Frank had also fired,