Evening star., 1939-07-30

defense" the Devil whispered. He caught
himself planning it. The high-power bullet
would 60 clear through man, never be
found for expert testing.
As if reading Sans thoughts, Jack sang,
You're laughing at me.
You've got me worried
I'm all at sea-"
making a baton of his rifle. He looked back
and grinned.
Get swing band" Sam snorted. "Musc's
swell help in bear hunt"
"Phut!' Jack jeered The brutes miles
off and wind our way"
At fork in the trail the hounds turned
right Hes heading for Pine Mountain,
Jack commented.
Lord help us if he backtracks on Suicide
Trail" Sam grunted The ominous name rang
in his ears all the way to the gorge. How
simple mishap would be. his mind persisted
as they reached that rough narrow groove in
the cliffs face. He tried to keep his eyes off
that sheer. hundred foot drop under his right
hand At times he steadied himself against the
rock wall at the left No escape from the
sudden rush of a bear Or! Hisheart pounded.
He slowed down and put dozen feet between
him and the temptation of Jacks carelessly
swinging back.
Suddenly the hounds bayed warning just
around the bend. Jack spurted stumbled
pitched half over the verge one leg clamped
to the trail edge a hand clawing for finger
hold. Sam stopped. 1t had happened! Hands
off! The instant he stood watching seemed
long minutes Then something exploded deep
in him. He leaped forward Too late As he
reached to rescue the struggling hand, it
slipped over the brink. But Jack clutched a
root protrudng from crevice and stayed
his fall He found toehold and vaulted back
to the path. Thanks just the same, old boy"
he said with cryptic grin, picked up his
rifle and ran on.
Sam staggered back and leaned limp against
the cliff, damning himself. That instant's hesi-
tation of his was guilty as yesterdays wild
shot! Presently he forced himself to go on
He caught up with Jack where the path
widened into broad table In rock angle
the bear reared at bay. slashing at nagging
dogs. He sighted the two men and stood weav
ing back and forth uncertainty. with whin-
ing growl They closed on his fanks. Jack
watched for chance to shoot without hitting
dog.
Look, Sam" he laughed He's old Judge
Brewster to the life ready to give ruling.
Which is it, your Honor"
He braced to fire A hound jumped at the
bears throat. met swinging claws and fell
back with side torn open. The other dog set
teeth in hind paw. The bear swooped
clamped Jaws on the dogs neck and tossed
him off, Jacks shot only creased the swift
moving flank. Bear leaped for man like a
bristling tornado of fur. Get him, SAM"
Jack shouted lodging back. He stumbled and
fell in the brutes path. rifle flying out of
reach. as Sam rushed forward and pulled
a trigger Only click from the gun. Sans
hate and his fear OF it had tricked him. He
had forgotten to reload the gun. With de-
spairing yell he seized the rifle by the barrel,
hurled it with mad fury. 1t hit the bears
nose end-on. The brute squealed and halted,
whirled and leaped for Sam.
The rest was blur. Jack rose on his heels,
leaped, fell at Sans feet. rolled on his back
as the bear pounced. Slavering Jaws just
missed Sans face Claws raked his shoulder,
bowled him over. He staggered up to see
Jack crawl from under the sprawling leg of an
inert mass of quiverng fur, then reach back
and wrench his hunting knife from the bears