270 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



She will run und whip off the dogs all day, and it is so cold 

 they will stop at night. If we kill her and I vow she shall 

 die it will have to be done ahead of the dogs, while she 

 is crossing back and forward from the two big brakes'. ' ' 



"Mount," I replied. "I have eaten all I want, and 

 Ike has put us up a good lunch sufficient for all four of 

 us. Besides (showing him the canteen), I have got some- 

 thing to warm the inner man, if we should feel like 

 freezing.'' 



A dash down the road revealed the trace of the dogs and 

 Bear. 



''What a whopper it is!" said Phillips, who led the 

 way, I following at a break-neck speed. Some two miles 

 below, w r e saw where the Bear had left the road and crossed 

 the river, at one of its widest bends. No dogs were in hear- 

 ing. I wanted to swim our horses across, and follow after 

 them. 



"No," said Phillips. "No use to do that; before we 

 could come up with them the Parson and Ho well will have 

 crossed, and will be ahead of us. Perhaps they may kill; 

 but I think the Bear will cross back to run to the forks 

 before we can get opposite the mouth of Cypress. Hurry 

 up, and ride for all you are worth, to get there ahead of it. 

 These dogs mean business, and so must we if we are to be 

 in at the death. ' ' 



Four miles more brought us to where the Parson and 

 Howell had swum their horses across. 



" How is this ?" said Phillips, as we pulled up to listen, 

 and examine where they had crossed. k> I thought I told 

 them to be sure to go to the ford, and then ride up the 

 creek, so as to intercept the Bear. It is now evident that 

 when they got here they heard the dogs fighting the Bear 

 on the other side, and not being able to wait to go down 

 two miles farther, they have crossed, and, no doubt, are not 

 far behind the dogs. Let us make for the ford as fast as we 

 can ride, and wait there. If the Bear attempts to go up 

 Cypress Creek, then we will have to swim across, and 

 endeavor to get up with the dogs." 



