Broswick, too, fell to the earth and at first the boys thought he was killed. But in a little while he arose and felt of his arms and legs.
“I’m all here,” he said. “Guess there ain’t much harm done, but it was a pretty tight squeeze!”
“I thought you were a goner,” spoke Jerry.
“That ain’t nothin’,” answered the hunter. “You ought to hev seen me fight a grizzly once!”
In the light of the fire, which was now blazing brightly, it was seen that the bear was a big specimen. As he lay stretched out on the ground he measured eight feet from his nose to his short tail.
“You know I tole ye there was a few bears now an’ agin’,” remarked the hunter, as he gave his former foe a kick. “Waal, I reckon some of ’em must ’a’ heard me an’ wanted to show I was tellin’ the truth,” he added, with a drawl.
No one felt much like sleep after this excitement, so they sat around the camp-fire until it began to get light. Then coffee was made, and the hunter proceeded to skin his prize. He cut off some choice steaks, which were broiled over the coals. The boys thought they had never tasted anything so good.
After breakfast the tires were pumped up, the baggage was packed into the auto and preparations made for the start.
“Where’s Professor Snodgrass?” asked Ned, noticing the absence of the naturalist. Then they all remembered that they had not seen him since the morning meal.
“He’s probably off gathering some bugs or stones,” said Jerry. “Let’s give a yell to call him in.”