ers.  It was very lonely, and not a sound to be heard except the
noise of the wheels and the mule's feet moving over the rocks.

[Illustration: 'THROUGH A DENSE FOREST OF PINES.']

Jack looked once or twice at fallen trunks of trees, half fearing that
a bear might be concealed behind them; but Joe assured him there was
little chance of their seeing one at that time.

'Most of 'em 'll be hibernating--going to sleep in their dens for the
winter,' he said; 'and if we did meet one, he'd be more likely to run
away than to face us.'

'Is that so?' asked Jack in surprise.

'Yes,' replied the hunter; 'a bear 'll avoid a man as a rule, unless
it's wounded, or it's a she-bear with cubs.  Those 'll fight, sure
enough, and dangerous things they are to tackle.  We'll camp to-night
at a log shanty near the top o' timber-line, where a mate of mine
nearly lost his life.  I'll tell you the story after supper.'

'I'd like that,' cried Jack, pleased at the promise of an adventure
story.

Before long they had to get out of the buckboard and walk, to help the
mule, which found it hard enough to drag up any weight at all.  It was
very tiring for all, and none were sorry when they reached the lonely
little hut where they were to stay the night.  Captain, the mule, was
seen after first; he was put into a tiny corral, or yard, close by, and
given plenty of baled or compressed hay, which is always carried by
people in waggons travelling long distances, when fodder is hard to
procure.  Captain at once set to work to enjoy his well-earned meal and
rest, while Joe and Jack lit a fire and cooked their supper, which they
also relished.

After they had finished, Champion Joe got out his pipe and started it;
then, seating himself on a clump of wood he had rolled into the hut, he
began his story:

'This mate of mine, who got into this trouble with a bear, was a rash
young fellow who didn't know what danger meant, and often laughed and
said he'd like to meet a bear as could scare him.  About four years ago
he was mining up here, and living in this