Violet, graced the occasion with her presence; then there came Mame Crosby, the vivacious girl with the auburn locks, who was so fond of

company had! For many a day the memory of i

se, so that it might be packed in one big trunk. Thus the boys would be bothered

nd weapons. It was to them very much like a shopping expedition, and many w

He even smiled to see the perceptible shudder with which Nellie surveye

hiver just to think of you meeting one of those fierce grizzly bears,

e this jewel at home, would yo

ng it; but please, Bluff, be very careful. You might cut yourself by accident, you know,

ou care?" aske

he table. Bluff laid the wonderful hunting-knife, sheath and all, back on the stand where his things were gathered, and smiled as if pleased. H

boys expected to leave home long ere noon on the fo

the time was short. So it happened that none of them had more than a confused idea of what was don

s he tugged at the metal catches, while a couple of

ied Will, as the click of the c

be taken to the station. Frank and his chums quickly followed. Qui

sure nothing had been forgotten, when Hank Brady, who se

you, Hank! Hope you get on fine and dandy while

orthwest is a big place, and you might as well think of lookin' for a needle in a haystack as for a certain feller there; but accidents do happen, a

what then?" he

bout. He left us in a huff two years back. We heard in an indirect way several times, but never straight. She worries when she th

depend on it I'll do my best to make him write. But how am I to know him amon

, he

so that he never really knew how he was to recognize this

as ensued, which kept up until the four chums climbed into the car that was to take

omfortable. It was expected that they would make connection in St. Paul with the western through train bound for Seattle. Then

ard across the many miles of entrancing scenery

more they started forth, this time headed w

heights that lie like a barrier between the center of the continent and the Pacific Slope. "How much more of it do we have

e get over this range there lies a long valley,

ggested Will, who had used up nearly half his supply of films al

on, from what he wr

fairly plentiful, if I reme

t no one had had time for hunting, and consequently the game had not

to go with us. Half of the fun would be lost if Mr. Mabie couldn't be alo

ken up, and he promised himself a vacation, just to renew his old pleasur

nd some," declared B

all this travel, that's w

can't remember putting that beautiful hunting-knife in the trunk along with his other traps;

re'll be one delighted grizzly bear out in these same mountains-the chap B

, he was counting the hours until he could op

dusk, and trying to imagine those wooded hillsides populated with elk and buffaloes, an

sse in this region, chasing the bad men who held up a railroad train not a hundred miles away from here. It wouldn't be

gh to freeze the marrow in one's bones. There isn't one chance in a

in a big hurry! We're coming to a sudden stop, too! Oh! I wonder if anythi

the same moment the four chums, listening with considerable apprehension