"Gracious me, but that was a fight!" ejaculated Si, who was still trembling. "I thought sure the bear was going to eat me up!"
"We were lucky that he didn't hug one or tudder to death, Si. He a putty big an' powerful critter, he is!"
"We'll have a lot of meat now."
"So we will, an' I am glad of it. I am tired of livin' on half rations."
"So am I. Fresh meat is just what we need—to help along with the beans and flour."
It was no easy task to get the big carcass to the cabin. They cut a tree branch for a drag and rolled the dead bear upon it. Then both took hold of the drag and started over the snow, taking to the smoothest trail they could find.
"We'll have the juiciest kind of a bear steak for dinner to-day," said Si. "It's too bad Mr. Socket and Mark won't be here to help enjoy it."
"That is so, lad. Well, they can have all they want when they come back. In such cold weather as this the meat will keep a long time."
With such a heavy load they had to rest several times on the way. As they made the journey to the cabin they kept their eyes open for other game, but nothing but a squirrel came to view and they did not shoot at this.
"Let the little chap go," said Si. "We've got something more substantial, even if it isn't quite so delicate."