“Yes.”
“Then fire!”
Crack! crack! went the two guns in rapid succession and up into the air leaped both of the animals. Then they came down into the snow and whirled over and over. One was mortally wounded and quickly expired, but the one shot by Bart, tried to crawl away.
“He’s going to get away from ye!” cried Teddy Dugan, in strong excitement. “Let me give him a shot, won’t ye?”
“Yes,” answered Bart, and no sooner had he spoken than the Irish boy blazed away, and over on its back went the pine marten, as dead as a stone.
All of the young hunters rushed up to inspect the prizes. They found the pine martens of a strong odor, but with beautiful furs.
“Those pelts are worth something,” said Joel Runnell.
“Can we eat the meat?” asked Bart.
“I don’t think you’ll care particularly for the flavor. But you want to save the furs.”
“We shall certainly do that,” said Link, and then old Runnell showed them how to skin the game so that the fur would not be damaged.