Part 17 (1/2)

”Sounds like a bit of an avalanche, though this here is a queer time of year for that. Generally comes, you know, in snow time, or when the rains arrive,” was the cowboy's ready answer.

”But--Will--he may have started it, and gone down into one of these beastly holes!” observed Bluff uneasily.

”Let's go back, fellows, and make sure,” remarked Frank instantly.

They retraced their steps, Reddy leading the way, and every one on the lookout for any signs of an unusual happening.

”There's where it fell, and it looks like quite a lot of stuff had gone down the slope,” said their guide presently.

”h.e.l.lo, Will! Will!” shouted Frank.

”Well, I'm waiting for you,” said a quiet voice close at hand.

”Where in the world are you, pard?” burst out Jerry.

”Oh, here,” came the reply.

”Ginger! I believe he's down the bank!” cried Bluff.

”Just what he is! Come here, fellows! Did you ever see anything to beat that? Talk to me about your lucky dogs! Here's one that takes the cake every time!” sang out Jerry, as he thrust his head out beyond the edge of the platform where the slope began.

”Oh, I don't know. There have been cases where people have been saved from all sorts of disasters by the fortunate presence of a rope. Chuck us a loop, Reddy, will you, please?” said Will, and Jerry became as dumb as an oyster.

No wonder Frank laughed, even while he watched the cowboy dropping his lariat down as the other so coolly requested. Will had slid some twenty feet down the steep bank, along with the loose surface stuff, which gathered force as it proceeded. Then a projecting stone had caught the bag of his coat, and he was supported in this fas.h.i.+on by the stout fabric.

”What are you trying to do down there? Expect to cut me out of my job as the cliff climber of the party?” asked Frank jokingly.

”Not so that you'd notice. Thought I might get a better view down along here. But first of all, save my precious camera, before I consent to come up,” answered Will, and he insisted upon fastening the same to the dangling rope.

Bluff saw his chance to get back at his chum for more than one indignity along the same line that he had suffered in the past, so he called out:

”Here, you! Just hold your horses! I'm going over yonder and strike you off as you hang there. It will do to amuse the girls when we get home.

We don't often have a chance to bring the photographer into these pictures. Now, here you are. Look pleasant! There! That job's done! Now yank him up, fellows, and don't be too easy with him. He deserves a good digging for scaring us so.”

But Will had suffered no material harm from his little slide.

”Glad I stopped part way,” he observed, looking down, ”for it's quite some distance to the bottom, and then those rocks would have bruised me more than a little. Yes, I agree with Bluff, there; it's better to be born lucky than rich.”

After that they saw to it that Will did not lag behind. He was not to be trusted any more than could be helped.

Reddy was as good as his word. He eventually brought them within sight of several feeding elk. They carried out his further directions to the letter, and were thus enabled to approach within easy gunshot of the unsuspicious animals.

A program had been arranged, and every one knew just what part in it he was expected to play. Consequently, there was no confusion. Frank, Jerry and Bluff had their chance to aim. To each was a.s.signed a different quarry, though after the first shot they were to fire as they pleased.

”Ready?” whispered the master of ceremonies, after Will had performed his little, necessary operation with his camera that would produce happy results.

”Yes,” said Frank.

”Ditto!” from Jerry.