They soon gained a point about on a level with the shelf of rocks upon which they had seen the bears, but some distance to the southward. Climbing now became difficult, and they had to help one another up the steep places. Once Whopper took a tumble and would have rolled down a long distance had not Shep caught him just in time.
"You want to be very careful," cautioned Snap. "A roll down the mountainside might mean death."
By the time they had reached a point about a hundred feet above the shelf of rocks they were so exhausted they had to sit down and rest. They were now on another shelf, and from this location could look out over the entire surface of Lake Narsac. Not a boat or a person was to be seen.
"This is certainly a lonely spot," was Snap's comment. "A hermit wouldn't wish for a more choice location."
"And he could get plenty of fish and game," added Whopper. "And berries too, when they were in season."
"And wild grapes, and honey," came from Giant. "But with all that, who would want to be a hermit?"
"Not I," answered Snap. "An outing like this is all well enough, but when our vacation is at an end I'll be glad enough to get back home."
A few drops of rain were now coming down, but to these the young hunters paid no attention. Having gotten back their wind, they moved along with caution, their eyes wide open for another sight of the bears. Each wished for the honor of discovering the big game.
Presently little Giant held up his hand for the party to halt. He pointed to a spot a little below, and to the right of them. There, on a flat rock, rested one of the bears, gnawing on a bone he held in his forefeet.
"Where is the other?" asked Whopper, in a whisper.