“Of course we can come back and get the teeth and claws, anyway,” put in Dick.  “But I hate like thunder to lose the skin.”

“I tell you what,” suggested Bert.  “Let’s hustle around and get as many big stones as we can find.  We’ll pile up a sort of funeral mound around him that the animals can’t work through or pull away.  Then in the morning we’ll get some of the boys from the ranch to come up with us and get the hide.  It may not work, but I think it will, and, anyway, we’ve got to take the chance.”

Luckily for the carrying out of the plan, big stones abounded in the vicinity and a few minutes of hard work sufficed to gather together enough to make it probable that the body would remain undisturbed till they came for it.

“And now, fellows,” said Bert, gazing at the sun, “it’s the quick sneak for us if we want to get back to the ranch before dark.  Forward, march.”

With a last look at the scene of their thrilling experience, they boarded the canoe, shot across the lake, and, packing up their traps, set out for the ranch.  They made quick time of it, as the road was now familiar and led downhill all the way.  Yet, despite their speed, dusk was settling down when they reached the house, to receive a hearty greeting from their hosts, who were becoming a little anxious at the delay.

Mrs. Melton paled as she heard the story of their frightful danger, and Melton himself was deeply stirred at their narrow escape.  He, better than any one else, realized all the horror of the case had victory declared on the side of the bear.

“You’ll never be nearer death than you were to-day, my boys,” he said gravely; “and a kind of death that I don’t care to think about.  I’ll send Sandy and some of the men up to-morrow to get the skin, and I hope that hide will be the nearest you ever come to seeing a grizzly again.  You came through all right to-day, but it’s the kind of stunt a man doesn’t get way with twice.  But now,” he added more lightly, “I’ll bet that you’re hungry enough to eat nails.  Hurry up and wash and get down to the table.”

“By the way,” said Mrs. Melton, her eyes twinkling, “where are those fish you promised me for supper?”

The boys looked at each other in consternation.

“Great Scott!” exclaimed Bert.  “We forgot to bring them.”

CHAPTER VI

The “Ringer’s” Downfall

After the boys had been on the ranch some two or three weeks a new topic of interest came up.  It seemed that every Fourth of July a great celebration was held in Helena, in which cowboys and ranchmen from many miles around took part.  All sorts of competitions were held, such as roping, throwing, target shooting, and so on.  As the day drew near, it became the chief topic of conversation about the ranch, and everybody, with the exception of two or three who would have to stay to take care of the stock, intended to go and take part in the festivities.