Part 38 (1/2)

”Not in the--the least,” was our hero's panting answer. ”But it--it was a close call!” and he shuddered. ”Do you think he's dead?”

”I shouldn't wonder. You hit him, didn't you?”

”Yes, twice. But they couldn't have been very good shots, or he wouldn't have come for me again.”

”Mountain lions is mighty tough, lad. I've seen one with six bullets in him still show fight. Load up, as quick as you can. His mate may be around.”

This advice was, however, unnecessary for Dave was already recharging the empty chambers of the pistol. From his Uncle Dunston he had learned years before the advisability of keeping one's weapon ready for use at all times.

The sound of the shots had called the others of the party to the scene, and numerous were the questions asked.

”Wow! a mountain lion!” cried Phil. ”And did you kill him, Dave?”

”I don't know whether he is dead. Mr. Dillon and I both hit him, and he flopped around here until he slid down into that hole yonder.”

”Maybe he isn't dead yet,” suggested Roger.

”Even so, being badly wounded, he'll stick to his shelter,” said Abe Blower. ”Say,” he went on, ”thet looks like a putty good sized cave!”

”Just what I was thinking,” returned Dave. ”I was going to have a look inside, when that mountain lion growled and sprang out at me.”

”We'll light some torches, and take a look at the place,” suggested old Tom Dillon.

”Oh, supposing it's an entrance to that lost mine!” cried Phil.

”It would be great!” added the senator's son, enthusiastically.

”I hardly think it could be thet,” put in Abe Blower. ”But if the cave is long enough, it might lead to one o' the shafts as was sunk fer the mine; eh, Tom?”

”That's true,” responded the old miner.

”I've got my electric torch with me,” said Roger, bringing that useful article from his pocket. ”We can use that in the cave.”

”The light wouldn't be strong enough, an' steady enough,” answered Abe Blower. ”We'll have to have regular torches, and plenty of 'em, too.

Caves like thet are often full o' holes, an' ye might step into one an'

fall down to Chiny, or somewhere else,” and he smiled, grimly.

The old miners had picked up some sticks for torches on the way, thinking they might come in useful for firewood if for nothing else, and several of these were now lit and swung into a lively blaze.

”No use of all of us goin' in there,” said Abe Blower.

”No, somebody has got to stay here an' watch the hosses,” answered Tom Dillon.

A brief discussion followed, and it was agreed that Abe Blower and Roger and Dave should go down into the opening, leaving Tom Dillon and Phil to guard the animals and the camping outfit. Possibly the s.h.i.+powner's son was disappointed by this arrangement, but if so he did not show it.

”It might not take more'n a few minutes to look into the cave,” said Abe Blower. ”An' then ag'in, it might take some hours. But, no matter how big the hole is, we won't be gone more'n two hours, Tom;” and so it was decided.

As they entered the cave--for such it really proved to be--they held their torches over their heads and looked anxiously for the mountain lion.

”I don't see anything of his majesty,” said Roger, in almost a whisper, for the strange adventure had set his nerves on an edge.