The Valiant Runaways | Page 6

on the beaten road, but they
dared not follow this, and struck inland. The air was now of an
agreeable warmth; the full moon was so low and brilliant that Roldan
called out he could count the bristling hairs on a coyote's back.
In less than two hours they were climbing a mountain trail leading
through a dense redwood forest. In these depths the moon's rays were
scattered into mere flecks dropping here and there through the thick
interlacing boughs of the giant trees. Those boughs were a hundred feet
and more above their heads. About them was a dense underforest of
young redwoods, pines, and great ferns; and swarming over all
luxuriant and poisonous creepers.
They were silent for a time. The redwood forests are very quiet and
awesome. At night one hears but the rush of the mountain torrent, the
cry of a panther or a coyote, the low sigh of wind in the treetops.
"Ay, Roldan," exclaimed Adan, suddenly. "Think did we meet a bear?"
"We probably shall," said Roldan, coolly. "These forests have many
'grizzlies,' as the Americans call them."
"But what should we do, Roldan?"
"Why, kill him, surely."
"Have you ever seen one?"
"Never."
"But it is said that they are very large, my friend, larger than you or I."
"Perhaps. Keep quiet. I like to hear the forest talk."
"What strange fancies you have, Roldan. A forest cannot talk."
"Oh--hush."
"Ay, yi, Roldan! Roldan!"
The horses were standing upright, neighing pitifully. Adan gave a
hoarse gurgle and crossed himself.
"The adventures have begun," said Roldan.

In a great swath of moonlight on a ledge some yards above them,
standing on his hind legs and swinging his forepaws goodnaturedly,
was an immense grey bear. Suddenly he extended his arms sociably,
almost affectionately.
"We cannot retreat down that steep trail," said Roldan, rapidly. "He
could follow faster and the horses would fall. To the left! in the brush,
quick!--a bear cannot run sideways on a mountain."
The boys dug their spurs into the trembling mustangs, who responded
with a snort of pain and plunged into the thicket. Only the bold skill of
the riders saved them from pitching sidewise down the steep slope,
despite the brush, for they were unshod and their knees had weakened.
But the grizzly, alas! was still master of the situation. In less than a
moment the boys saw him lumbering along above them. He evidently
had possession of a trail, more or less level.
"Dios de mi alma!" cried Adan. "If he gets ahead of us he will come
down and meet us somewhere. We shall be lost--eaten even as a cat
eats a mouse, a coyote a chicken."
"You will look well lining the dark corridors of the bear, my friend.
Your yellow jacket with those large red roses, which would make a bull
sweat, would hang like tapestry in the houses of Spain. Those hide
boots, spotted with mud, and the blood of the calf, would keep him
from wanting another meal for many a long day--"
"Ay, thou fearless one! Why, it is said that if the grizzly even raises his
paw and slaps the face every feature is crushed out of shape."
"I should not be surprised."
They plunged on, tearing their clothes on the spiked brush and the
thorns of the sweetbrier, fragrant lilac petals falling in a shower about
them, great ferns trodden and rebounding. The air was heavy with
perfume and the pungent odour of redwood and pine.
Roldan had passed Adan. Suddenly his horse stumbled and would have
gone headlong had not his expert rider pulled him back on his
haunches.
"What is it? What is it?" cried Adan, who also had been obliged to pull
in abruptly, and who liked horses less when they stood on their hind
legs. "Is it the bear upon us? But, no, I hear him--above and beyond.
What are you doing, my friend?"
Roldan had dismounted and was on his hands and knees. In a half

moment he stood erect.
"We are saved," he said.
"Ay? What?"
"It is a hole, my friend--large and deep and round. Did you put any
meat in your saddle-bags?"
"Ay, a good piece."
"Raw?"
"Yes."
"Give it to me--quick. Do not unwrap it."
Adan handed over the meat, then dismounted also.
"A bear-trap?" he asked.
"Yes, a natural one. Come this way, before I unwrap the meat."
The boys forced their way to the south of the large hole, dragging the
still terrified horses, who were not disposed to respond to anything less
persuasive than the spur. Roldan approached the edge of the excavation
and shook the meat loose, flinging the paper after it. As the smell of
fresh beef pervaded the air it was greeted by a growl like rising thunder,