"Splendid, boys!" whispered Archie, gripping Fred’s arm. "We’re as safe as a church-mouse here, and they can’t poke their noses out of the cave without our seeing them." Keeping very still and quiet, the boys waited patiently for what would happen. Then, getting tired of the inaction, Bruce picked up a fragment of rock and threw it down upon the ledge below, where it rattled noisily. Immediately a deep, fierce growl came from the cave, and a moment afterwards the old bear herself rolled out into the sunshine. "The top of the morning to you, missus!" called out Archie saucily. "And how may your ladyship be feeling this morning?" At the sound of his voice the bear turned quickly, and catching sight of the three boys in such close proximity to the privacy of her home, uttered a terrible roar of rage, and rearing up on her hind legs, strove to climb the piece of cliff that separated them from her. Bruce and Fred, who had never seen a wild bear before, shrank terror-stricken into the corner, but Archie, looking as cool as a cucumber, stood his ground, rifle in hand. "No, no, my lady; not this morning," said he, with an ironical bow. "You’re quite near enough already." Foiled in her first attempt, the great creature gathered herself together for another spring, and once more came toward them with a savage roar. As she did so her broad, black breast was fully exposed. Without a tremor of fear or excitement Archie lifted his rifle to his shoulder and aimed straight at the bear’s heart; a sharp report rang out through the clear morning air, followed close by a hideous howl of mingled rage and pain; and when the smoke cleared away the boys, with throbbing hearts, looked down upon a huge black shape that writhed and struggled in the agonies of death. A simultaneous shout of victory burst from their lips and gave relief to their excited emotions. [Illustration: "ARCHIE AIMED STRAIGHT AT THE BEAR’S HEART."] "Hurrah, Archie! You’ve done for her," cried Fred, clapping him vigorously on the back. "Yes. I reckon she won’t have any more mutton at father’s expense," said Archie with a triumphant smile. "Just look at her now. Isn’t she a monster?"