CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
BESIEGED BY GRIZZLY BEARS.
The young hunters now laid aside their guns, drew their knives, and skinned the cimmarons with the dexterity of practised "killers." They then cut up the meat, so as the more conveniently to transport it to their camp.

The skins they did not care for; so these were suffered to remain on the ground where they had been thrown.
As soon as the "mutton" was quartered, each shouldered a piece, and commenced carrying it toward the ravine, intending to return and bring the rest at another load or two.

On reaching the point where the path came up on the table, they saw that it would be difficult for them to descend with their burdens--as it is more easy to climb a precipice than to get down one.

Another plan suggested itself; and that was, to pitch the pieces down before them to the bottom of the ravine.

This they could accomplish without difficulty.