George and Victor Shelton soon found themselves climbing among the foothills. Deerfoot had gone in another direction, the agreement being that they should return to camp soon after meridian, and not to go far from headquarters. While none felt misgiving as to danger, all had learned to be circumspect. It may be said that the stroll of the boys was as much to gain exercise as to hunt game, though the latter object was the one avowed by them. In those days a person did not have to look far for such sport, but it seemed as if the wild animals scented the danger and kept out of the way. When noon came the tired boys sat down beside a mountain torrent, without either having fired his rifle. "We haven't heard the report of Deerfoot's gun," said George, "and I don't see that there is any use of hunting further." "Nor do I. I'm hungry and we shan't be able to get anything to eat this side of camp. It must be the game noticed that _I_ was with you, and they have all run to their holes." "We have one consolation," remarked George, ignoring the last sentence. "It will be easier getting back to camp, for it's down hill all the way." "But we shall have a good deal of climbing to do. I'm ready to say I've gained enough exercise to last me till to-morrow. I think," added Victor, rising to his feet and looking at the noisy torrent a few feet in front, "that we can shorten the distance by crossing that." "How are we going to do it? We're not likely to find it bridged." "I'm sure we shall be able to leap across." The two walked to the edge of the stream, which may be described as a furious torrent, rushing between the rocks, which were separated by a dozen feet, the upper margin being one or two feet above the surface of the stream. Standing on the edge of the small canyon and looking down, the boys saw that the water was of crystalline clearness and was beaten in many places into froth and foam, which sparkled with every color of the rainbow as it shot into the sunlight. The course of the torrent was so tortuous and the turns so abrupt that clouds of mist curled upward in places and caused the rocks to drip with moisture. The roar was so loud that the brothers had to shout to each other. "We might make a running leap here," said George, "but it isn't worth while to take the risk." "There must be narrower portions. Let's look." Turning to the left, they had to go only a little way when they found a favorable place. The breadth was no more than seven or eight feet. While they could not shorten the distance to camp very much, the advantage was worth striving for. "No risk in that," remarked Victor, looking at his brother, who nodded his head to signify he agreed with him.