Page:Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch.djvu/109

Rh combination of sound. The bullet had hit the big brute somewhere in a serious spot and he was rolling and kicking on the rocks—his first throes of agony flinging him almost to Ruth's feet.

But the girl scrambled farther away and heard the rifle speak again. A second bullet entered the body of the bear. At the same time a lusty shout arose from below. The boys and Jib having explored the river-tunnel as far as they found it practicable, had returned to the camp and there discovered where the girls had gone. Jib hastened after them, for he felt that they should not be roaming over the rocks without an armed escort.

"Hi, yi!" he yelped, tearing up the path with a rifle in his hand. "Keep it up, brother! We're comin'!"

Tom and Bob came with him. Jib saw the expiring bear, and he likewise glimpsed the man who had brought bruin down. In a moment, however, the stranger darted out of sight up the path and they did not even hear his footsteps on the rocks.

"Why, that's that feller from Tintacker!" cried the Indian. "Hey, you!"

"Not the crazy man?" gasped Jane Ann.

"Oh, surely he'll come back?" said Helen.

Ruth turned, almost tempted to run after the Stranger. "Do you really mean to say it is the