They saw Rob, stooping down, advance rapidly to the edge of the cover and peer out intently, his rifle poised. Then quick as thought he raised his rifle and fired one shot, stood a half instant, and dashed forward.
There was no sound of any thrashing about in the bushes, nor had Rob fired more than the one shot, but when they joined him it was at the side of the dead body of a five-hundred-pound grizzly, in prime, dark coat, a silver tip such as any old bear-hunter would have been proud to claim as a trophy.
Rob was trying his best to control his excitement, and both the other boys were trembling quite as much as he. Leo quite forgot his calm and gave a tremendous yell of joy, and, advancing, shook Rob warmly by the hand. “Heap shoot!” said he. “I see!” And, taking the bear by the ear, he turned its head over to show the small red hole in the side of the skull.
“He was right here,” said Rob, “not thirty-five yards away. When I first saw him his head was down, but then he raised it and stood sideways to me. I knew if I could hit him in the butt of the ear I’d kill him dead at once, so I took that shot.”
“Son,” said Uncle Dick, “this is fine business. I couldn’t have done better myself.”
“I s’pose you’ll give me twenty dollar now,” said Leo; at which they all laughed heartily.
“I certainly will, Leo,” said Uncle Dick, “and will do it right now, and on the spot! You certainly made good in taking us up to the bear, and it certainly was worth twenty dollars to see Rob kill him as quick and clean as he did.”
“Is he good to eat?” asked John.
“No, John. And if he were, you couldn’t eat all of him; he’s too big. Some men have eaten grizzly liver, but I beg to be excused. But here’s a robe that down in the States would be worth a hundred and fifty dollars these days. Come on, Leo, let’s get our work over with and get back to camp.”