It slipped from its anchorage just as the grizzly reached the opposite bank. Had they been three seconds later they must have hurled the shaggy monster down with the queer log bridge.
Bruin stopped in his mad advance just in time. He sniffed at the spot where the end of the log had rested, as though wondering how the human enemy could have apparently flown across.
This gave the marksmen a better chance to place their bullets where they were more apt to count. Frank took deliberate aim back of the foreleg. At the same time he was conscious of a feeling of great respect for this brave old fellow, whom nothing could apparently daunt. But they had put their hand to the plow, and there could be no turning back at this late hour. Besides, this beast was bound to be a constant menace to ranchman’s herds from this time on, now that he had learned the secret of securing an easy breakfast from the weaker elements of the cattle drove; and it was of the greatest importance that he be exterminated.
This time when Frank pulled the trigger of his Marlin he saw that he had at last reached a vital organ. The big bear actually weakened and fell over, though still struggling hard to keep on his feet and show a grim front.
“That did for him, Frank; no use to waste any more ammunition!” declared Mr. Witherspoon.
“Well, that was my last shot, anyway, so I couldn’t do anything more until I’d recharged the magazine of my gun,” remarked Frank.
“And unless I’m mistaken, my weapon is in just the same fix,” chuckled the other, “so you can understand what a lot of lead a grizzly can digest before knuckling under.”
“There, the old critter has keeled over, and that’s his last kick,” remarked Buckskin, who was still panting from his recent exertions. “Say, Andy, d’ye want me to snap one off with you and Frank standing by the game? Seems to me you had ought to be seen in some of these here pictures. Reckon I know enough to aim, after you do the focus act, and squeeze that rubber thing.”
“But we’ve got to cross over first, and our bully old bridge is down at the bottom of the hole,” expostulated Andy.
“Oh! here’s another log that will answer just as well,” remarked the ranger, “just looks like these trees once grew here to accommodate anyone who wanted to use a log for a bridge. Everybody take hold, and we’ll soon have it across.”