"He's coming up the rocks sure!" gasped Giant. Then he started to run, lost his footing and began to roll down one of the steep sides of the rock!
"Giant! Giant!" yelled Snap. "Stop, you are rolling right toward the bear!"
"He'll be chewed up sure!" screamed Shep. "Shoot him, somebody! Shoot him!"
In feverish haste Whopper had been reloading his rifle. Now he swung the weapon to his shoulder. He was greatly agitated but by sheer force of will power calmed himself sufficiently to take aim. Then the rifle cracked out and the bullet hit the bear full in the chest. It made bruin stagger, and he fell back on his side, kicking up a shower of snow in all directions.
"Good! That's the way to do it!" sang out Snap. "Now run, Giant!"
By this time the youngest member of the Gun Club had reached the bottom of the rocks and was scrambling to his feet. He had his gun still in his hands, and as the bear lurched toward him he caught the weapon by the barrel, swung it around and let the beast have such a crack on the head that the gun stock was completely shattered. Over went the bear again, kicking up another shower of loose snow.
By this time the young hunters were sure they had the best of the fight, and withdrawing to a safe distance each of those having available weapons let the beast have another shot. This was too much for bruin, and with a final roar and a gasp he plunged forward on his head, gave several convulsive kicks, and lay still.
"Hurrah! We've got him!" cried Shep. "That's the best haul yet!"
"You are right," said Whopper, "even if it did cost Giant his gun."
"Never mind, we'll chip in and buy another for him," said Snap. "Say, that was a sharp fight," he added.