“We know this one,” said Barringford. “And it aint no use to take risks, ‘specially ef it’s goin’ to snow.”
It was not yet noon when the first flakes of the coming storm floated lazily down upon them. The flakes were large, and soon they increased so thickly that it was impossible to see a dozen yards in any direction.
“I am afraid that is going to be serious, Dave.”
“Big flakes can’t last very long, can they?”
“No, big flakes can’t, but we’ll have more snow, even so.”
Barringford was right, the large flakes presently gave way to smaller ones, and then the snow became like salt, which the rising wind blew directly into their faces.
“It’s goin’ to be a hummer!” exclaimed Barringford, as the wind suddenly rose with a shriek. “Reckon as how we wuz fools to leave the post.”
“What shall we do, Sam? We can’t very well go back.”
“True, lad, but——By gum!”
A wild animal of some kind had leaped up almost in front of them. Around came Barringford’s musket, and he blazed away, and then Dave did the same. There were a roar and a snarl, and over in the snow tumbled a small bear, clawing viciously at everything around it.