The missile went true, and with his skull crushed, bruin stretched out and lay still.
"Is he--is he dead ?" gasped Hank Snogger, hoarsely.
"I think so," answered Dave.

He was trembling from the excitement and his breath came thick and fast.
"I--I thought I--I was done for!" added the cowboy, and sank flat on his back and closed his eyes.
Not without difficulty Dave got down to where the man lay.

He found the bear stone dead and that the cowboy had fainted.

He procured some water from a nearby brook and washed Snogger's face and soon revived the man.
Then came a shout from a distance and Sid Todd showed himself, having been attracted to the spot by the rifle shots.
The situation was explained, and Dave came in for a good deal of praise over the killing of the bear.
"You saved my life!" said Hank Snogger.

"I shan't forget it, never!" and he gave the youth a grateful look.