"Oh, Josiah, we must do something," sighed Mrs. Socket. "Isn't there any store at all around here?" Her husband said no, but two days later a miner came along who said some provisions could be had at a camp known as the Four Monkeys. The camp was forty miles away. Prices were frightfully high, but the goods were to be had, if a man wanted to pay for them. After talking the matter over with Maybe Dixon and the boys, it was decided that Socket and Mark should pay a visit to Four Monkeys, taking Socket's two horses for the journey. They were given minute directions regarding the trail to follow, and started away at the same time that Maybe Dixon and Si went on a hunt. "How long will you be gone, Josiah?" asked his wife. "Not more than four days--unless the trail is very bad," answered the husband. As soon as Mark and Socket had departed for the distant camp, Maybe Dixon and Si went out on the hunt. This left Bob, Mrs. Socket, and the children in the two cabins alone. Maybe Dixon and Si were full of expectations, but after tramping around for several hours without seeing game of any kind the face of each took on a gloomy look. "We ain't doing much, that's sure," grumbled the man, as they paused near a series of rocks to rest. "Not a smell o' even a rabbit. It does beat all, don't it?" "I am not going to give up yet," answered Si. "I am not going back until I get something, even if it is only one little snowbird," and he shook his head decidedly. They had gone through a small patch of timber from north to south and now crossed it in the opposite direction. They were just rounding a series of rocks when Si let out a yell: "A bear!" "Where?" yelled the man in return. "There! He is gone now! Say, he was a whopper!" "Si, we must get him!" "All right, but if we don't watch out he'll chew us up," added the former farm lad. "A big bear isn't to be fooled with." "I know it, but we must try and get the meat. Is your gun all right?" "Yes." "So is my rifle. Come on after him." They were soon at the spot where the bear had been. The trail was plainly to be seen and led over the rocks, where the wind had blown away the most of the snow. A good quarter of a mile had been covered when they heard a strange grunt ahead of them. The next instant the bear came into full view. He was up on his hind legs and evidently ready for a fight. Maybe Dixon did not stop to think twice but blazed away, hitting the animal in the forequarter. Then Si let drive, and the shot sprinkled the bear's face, putting out one eye. Half blinded and suffering intense pain, the bear turned as if to flee. But a moment later he swung around again and came after Si full speed. "Out o' the way!" roared Maybe Dixon. "Out o' the way, or he'll kill you sure!" Si was getting out of the way with all speed. He darted behind some trees, made a half circle, and then leaped to the top of the very rocks from which the bear had come when he first put in his appearance.