"You said that there were no men's tracks anywhere near it, so I suppose not."
"That's so; but I've seen some of your tracks since, Ned, which looked awfully like those bear tracks. I'm hanged if I know whether they were bear tracks after all!"
"It is a pity you were so positive about them at first then. But it is too late now in any case. If the tracks were made by Cruickshank he is far enough from here by now."
Again the conversation ceased for a time, the only sound being the rattle of Pete's Creek in the dark gorge below.
"It is a pity the goats have all cleared out. Don't you think you could find one, Ned, before we start?" asked Chance at length.
"No, I'm certain that I could not. We must be content with trout (if Phon can catch any), and the flour which I saved when we struck the creek."
"Ah, I had forgotten that. Is there much of it?"
"About half a pound apiece per diem for a week."
"Short commons for a hungry man, especially as the berries are nearly all gone."
"It will be hungry work for us until we reach the Frazer, but there is a little goat's meat left and the fish."