Roy carefully judged the distance from the ledge to the spot where the gun lay, estimating the length of line he would have to use. By this time the two bears were in close conference. Deep rumblings of bear talk came to the boys on the ledge, and finally one heavy-throated, decisive grunt. “Period,” said Teddy, and lapsed once more into silence. Roy took a firm stand upon the ledge. He had already attached the stone to the line and had removed the cork from the fortunately large hook. Now he drew back his arm, took careful aim, and threw. The line whistled out, then sagged as the stone struck the ground. “Make it?” Teddy asked, not deigning to arise. “Missed,” was the laconic reply. “Give me time.” “Certainly. We have weeks at our disposal. I’ve got nothing to do but sit here, anyway.” Roy grinned good-naturedly and drew the line in. Once more he cast. “I’ve got those bears worried, at any rate,” he declared, pulling in for a third attempt. “Notice how quiet they are?” Teddy nodded solemnly. “Sure. They just decided which one was going to have me for lunch. I’ll bet the first bear won. He likes me. Tried to kiss me on the way up, but I was bashful, and, anyway, we were in a hurry.” Once more the line whistled through the air. This time, when it landed, Roy gave a yell. “_That’s_ the one! Watch this now, Teddy, and give me credit!” Teddy, jarred out of his placidity, leaped to his feet. He saw that the hook had come to rest about five feet below the gun, and in a direct line with the trigger guard. “Boy--take it easy!” he breathed. “Pull up slow--slo-o-o-w! A little more--no--don’t jerk it--gently now--” “Well, for the love of Pete, will you pipe down for a second?” Roy exploded, a grin of amusement on his face. “How do you think I can do this with you yelling in my ear? First you sit back and let me do all the work, and then, by golly, you want to play director. Hey, iss diss a system?” “Pardon,” Teddy replied, mockingly contrite. “You are right. I am at fault, and I await your pleasure. Henceforth I keep my peace.” With a smile of satisfaction, Roy returned once more to the business of catching the hook in the trigger guard. Slowly he drew in. The hook neared the rifle. Then, with a foot more to go, it caught on the edge of a stone, and stuck. Carefully Roy twitched the line, hoping to dislodge it. But the hook resisted all his efforts. Both boys took a deep breath. Below them the bears started their growling again, and stones and dirt clattered down the mountain as they leaped repeatedly up toward the ledge. “Now may the gods of the hills be with us,” Teddy murmured. “I fear me those bears have formed a conspiracy against us!” Roy jerked the line desperately. If it parted, their last hope was gone. They would have to remain on the ledge until the bears left of their own accord or until the animals succeeded in their objective. Roy shuddered slightly as he thought of this last eventuality. _That_ would not be so pleasant.