Early in the morning Sid Todd left the camp, to be gone the best part of two hours. He came back showing his excitement.
"A chance for elk, boys!" he cried. "But you must hurry and do a good bit of tramping."
"Can you walk, Phil?" asked Dave, anxiously.
"Just as well as ever," was the answer, and Phil took a turn around the camp to prove his words.
No time was lost in preparing for the hunt, and in less than ten minutes all were off, having tethered the horses in a spot they deemed safe. Their provisions they tied in skins and hung in the trees, so they might be safe from wild marauders.
It was a hard climb, over the rocks and among the bushes, and once the boys had to call a halt, to catch their breath. But Todd was afraid the elk would take themselves off, so he urged them on as much as possible.
"There were two elk, big fellows, too," he said. "If we don't bag at least one of 'em, we may not get another such chance all the time we are out here."
Presently they came to something of a hollow on the mountain side. Here was a fine spring of sparkling water, and all stopped long enough to get a refreshing drink. It was hot in the sun and all were beginning to perspire freely.
"If we get those elk we'll earn 'em," was Roger's comment.
"Right you are!" panted Phil.