Mr. Cook looked over at his son and Sandy. “You boys still want to bother with a cougar?”
Hank threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, come now, Arthur. Don’t discourage them. Of course they do and I don’t blame them. I just hope they’ll experience some real hunting, too.”
Mike, who had been listening to Hank’s story with a rapt expression on his face, scrambled to his feet. The quick movement made Drum open one curious eye. “Why don’t we start tomorrow?” Mike cried excitedly.
“Tomorrow?” his father said with a frown. “I’d just as soon wait a day or two.”
“Well, for one thing, we’re up pretty high, you know. Before I go scrambling around any mountain peaks, I’d like to get used to the altitude.”
“I’ll go out with the boys,” Hank said unexpectedly. “You can loaf around the house and take it easy.”
Mr. Cook shrugged and put down his pipe. “As far as I’m concerned there’s no better man in the world to take you hunting than Hank. You’re sure you want to, Hank?”
“Then that’s settled.” Mr. Cook nodded over to the Indian, who was sitting with his back against the stone wall. “How about you, Joe? Feel like going out?”
Joe smiled and shook his head slowly. “I don’t think so,” he said quietly. “I’ll just wander around here for a while until I get my mountain legs under me.”
“Suit yourself,” Hank Dawson replied. “What’s your pleasure, gents?” he said, turning back to the boys.
“What do you want to go out after—giraffes, elephants, saber-toothed tigers—you name it!”
“You’re the boss,” Mike said, grinning. “You say!”
Hank paused and considered the question. “Well,” he said slowly, “how about trying for an _Oreamnos montanus_?”
“A mountain goat!” Mike’s face fell. “I thought we were going to go after some big game—not a billy goat!”
Hank laughed. “Don’t kid yourself—if you’ll pardon the pun. A mountain goat is my personal candidate for the most dangerous animal in the world.”
“I’m serious. A mountain goat lives in the most inaccessible places. He’s got eyes like binoculars, he’s smart and fast, and he’s not afraid of anything that walks. I’ve known of cases where mountain goats have killed a lion. He may not be much to look at, but I can promise you an exciting chase and one you won’t forget in a hurry. Okay?”