Paul explained in detail, as they returned to the cabin to get their toboggans upon which to haul in the carcasses, his afternoon’s adventure. When he had finished Dan said quietly and decisively:
“’Twere only th’ wonderful grit you has, Paul, as saved your life. If you’d run, now, or showed you was scared, they’d ha’ pulled you down quick.”
“Won’t my father be proud of that skin!” exclaimed Paul when they had the skins stretched for drying. “I’ll have it mounted for a rug, and won’t it be a beaut!”
“Both o’ un,” suggested Dan. “They’ll make a fine pair together.”
“But the other one is yours, Dan.”
“No, ’t ain’t.”
“Yes it is. You killed it and you’ve got to have it.”
Dan objected still, but in the end Paul persuaded him it was his.
“Dad’ll be wonderful proud t’see un,” admitted Dan.
For two days a snowstorm, with high wind, swept the country, and Amesbury did not appear on Saturday, but while the lads were eating a late breakfast on Sunday morning they heard him singing outside: