Grizzly Read Online Free Page B

water. But the waterfall was above him now.
    He remembered going over. It was like a bad dream. He’d had the sensation of flying—until he’d hit bottom.
    A sour smell came to his nostrils, the smell of grizzly. He sat up, his eyes darting all around. There she was, lying on her back halfway out of the water.
    Justin stood up to run. But the bear didn’t move. Her eyes were closed, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
    He should have been glad that at last the great bear was dead. But he wasn’t. This was the killer that had murdered Blue and the other sheep. This grizzly had put Mr. Miller out of business and had tried more than once to kill Justin too.
    But Justin couldn’t bring himself to be happy. The bear had been smart. And if it hadn’t been for her pulling him out, he’d probably still be trapped under the burn.
    Justin waded to shore and gave the great bear one last look. Then he started walking. A few yards from the riverbank he spotted a well-used hiking trail.
    His steps grew faster. The sun was going down. He wasn’t going to spend another night in the mountains if he could help it.
    Walking was easier now. The path curved downhill. Justin rounded a corner and almost ran smack into a tall, dark-haired forest ranger dressed in a green uniform.
    “Hold on, son. What’s the … hey, you look awful! Are you hurt?”
    Justin managed a thin smile. “I think my arm’s broken. Boy, am I glad to see you.”
    “Here. Sit on this log and let me take a look.” The ranger took his knife and slit the sleeve of Justin’s coat. “What are you doing up here? Hiking?”
    “It’s a long story. I live on the McCallister ranch on the other side of Moosehead. My name’s Justin McCallister.”
    “I know a McCallister. Mack McCallister.”
    “He’s my uncle.”
    “You’re a long way from home, son. What on earth are you doing way over here?”
    Justin looked at the ground. “I went after a bear. A grizzly. She broke into our place and killed my pet lamb.”
    The ranger ran his fingers expertly down Justin’s arm. “It’s broken, all right.” He stood. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear what you just told me. Considering I’d have to lock you up if I
had
heard it.”
    “Oh, I didn’t kill her. She’s dead, though.We tangled at the waterfall. She fell over and must have hit her head on a rock or something. Anyway, she’s lying on the bank if you want to go look.”
    The ranger sighed. “I guess I’d better. Can you hang on here for a few minutes?”
    Justin nodded. “As long as you promise to come back.”
    The ranger smiled. “Promise.” He turned and trotted up the trail.
    Justin held his aching arm. He’d learned a lot in the past two days, not just about bears but also about himself.
    He’d been so sure of himself before, and so angry. He sighed. Uncle Mack probably wouldn’t be too happy with him, and Aunt Polly … well, he’d be grounded for at least ten years.
    The ranger took longer than Justin thought he should. Justin stood and was about to go looking when he heard footsteps coming down the trail.
    The ranger loped into sight. “Sorry I took so long. I wasn’t sure exactly where to look.”
    “That’s okay. Are you going to have someone come up and bury her?”
    “I hate to break this to you, son, but there’s nothing up there to bury. I searched both sides of the river and finally found her tracks heading off into the woods. That grizzly’s as alive as you and me.”
    Justin sat back on the log and sighed.
    The ranger misunderstood. “Don’t let it worry you. We’ll have a team up here tomorrow to look into this. If that bear is a problem, we’ll take care of it.”
    “I wasn’t worried. This may sound kind of funny, but I’m glad she didn’t die.”
    The ranger shrugged as he rigged a sling for Justin’s arm with his belt. He helped Justin to his feet. “Come on, son. Let’s get you home.”
    “Believe me, I’m ready.”



GRIZZLY