"I'll just shout," said Carl. "But I can get around him all right.
"I hope Carl don't kill him before we get a chance," said Fred, when the Indian was out of sight.
"He won't unless he has to," said Jerry. "He's a mighty square fellow."
"Wouldn't mother have a fit if I should bring back a bear. And the scouts in Cleveland!" Fred's bright eyes shone with the prospect. In imagination he had already laid the grizzly low.
Carl finally came back with the news that he had found the cave.
"Now you just follow me—and don't make any noise. I'm going to walk way around and come up behind the cave—you follow. Keep still."
The Indian started off like a stealthy panther, scarcely moving a leaf or twig. He leapt with the agility of a cat over rocks that lay in his path, and was obliged to pause now and then for the rest of the party to catch up, as they had considerable more difficulty. The low branches were inclined to swish as they passed, and it was not an easy matter to avoid crackling dry leaves and twigs underfoot. They fell and scrambled over rocks, and unlucky Fly got into another bunch of cactus.
Finally they came to an open space, and Carl pointed to a formation of rock.
"In front of that is a hole," he whispered. "That's where the grizzly is. Crawl up on top of the rock, over the hole, and get your guns ready. Aim just as soon as you get a chance at him."
The boys, though they were stout-hearted fellows, followed nervously. Hawke had trailed and shot grizzlies before, and, though his sporting blood was aroused, he was willing to stand aside and let the boys try for the game. All of the other boys, except Fred and Tender, had previously been close to live grizzlies, but only Carl had actually trailed one.