The guns the boys carried were, of course, the long-barreled rifles of the times, equipped with a flint lock and powder-pan. Although such weapons may excite more or less amusement in these days of the repeating rifle, and the hammerless shotgun, still those men of the old border, with their steady hands and hawk-like vision, were capable of doing marvelous execution with them. And as boys learned how to shoot before they were as tall as the guns owned by their sires, it can be readily understood that both the Armstrong lads were splendid marksmen. The woods along the banks of the Missouri in those days were untouched by the axe of the backwoodsman, and must have been a sight, indeed, with many of the trees three or more feet through the butt. Here and there one of these forest monarchs had been felled by some hurricane that had swept through the region in years that were past; and it was in the direction of these that the boys cast eager glances in the hope of finding a shelter from the downpour that threatened. Right and left they glanced, missing nothing with those keen eyes, now put to their best efforts, since a necessity for a haven had arisen, if they hoped to avoid being soaked to the skin. And, as they both were dressed in tanned buckskin garments, fashioned after the manner customary with the hunters of that early day, with fringe and colored porcupine quills adorning both trousers and tunic, the task of drying their clothes was one that would take more or less time. It seemed but a few minutes before a shout from Roger announced a happy discovery. "Oh! look, there's the very place for us, if we can climb the tree and crawl in at that opening, Dick! On my word I believe that's the biggest hollow tree I ever ran across, and I've seen a few. Shall we try it?" Cautious Dick glanced once more around him; but apparently could see no other opportunity to get away from the threatening deluge. "All right, then, we'll have to chance it!" he replied, as he started for the big tree. Roger did not understand what these words meant until they had come to the wide trunk of the oak and he discovered many scratches there, indicating that some wild animal must have its sleeping quarters in the hollow above. "A bear's den, Dick!" he ejaculated, looking at his companion doubtfully. "Yes, I guessed as much," answered the other, "when I saw tracks over yonder. But let's hope the old fellow happens to be away just now. I wouldn't take the risk did not those black clouds look so threatening." "Shall we climb up, then?" asked the other, ready to accept any risk, in his headstrong way. "Yes, come on, Roger; but keep your gun ready for business," replied Dick.