In the deep snow it was easy to follow the direction the thief with the sled had taken, and they soon became convinced that but one person had done the deed.
Left to themselves, Whopper and Giant did what little they could to restore order to the camp. They saw that the thief must have remained in the shelter one or two days—probably during the blizzard. On leaving he had attempted to break down one wall of the place and ruin the chimney, but had not succeeded.
"They'll last as long as we want to stay," said Giant. "But how mean it was to try such things!"
In coming to the shelter Whopper had twisted his ankle and this hurt him not a little, and he was perfectly willing to rest the member all he could. Giant prepared supper and they ate it leisurely, in the meanwhile talking over the outlook from every point of view.
Morning found the two young hunters stirring early. There was little, however, to do, and they took their time over breakfast. Giant had found where a bag of beans had been spilled on the ground and he picked them up with care one by one.
"I think I'll make some bean soup for a change," he said. "I'll throw in some meat to give it a flavor."
"That rascal—whoever he was—took all the flour, otherwise we might make some pancakes," grumbled Whopper.
"I might try my hand at fishing through the ice again," said Giant.
"Baked fish will go fine for a change."
"Hadn't I better stay here, Giant? Somebody ought to mind the camp until Snap and Shep get back, and my ankle is quite swollen."
"Yes, stay by all means, and if you want me, yell or fire your gun."