But there was no need for further fear. The game was dead beyond all doubt, and had probably died when they heard the last groan from him.
“He is ours!” cried Harry. “And what a big fellow he is, too.”
“It’s a great haul, Harry.”
“I reckon the haul is still to come, Joe. We’ll have to yank him out of that hole somehow.”
“Or bring up a horse to do it,” was the gay answer. Both of the boys felt like whistling and singing over their luck. And small wonder, for to bring down such game was not an everyday occurrence.
After inspecting the situation, both came to the conclusion that the easiest way of getting the bear out of the hole would be to haul him forward to the front of the rocks, and then slide him along the snow and over a patch of ice to where there was something of an incline leading to the top of the hill.
It was hard work, and it took all of an hour to get the bear half the distance. Both boys were perspiring freely, and very soon had to stop for breath.
“We are earning this bear,” said Joe, while wiping his forehead. “I never worked so hard before in my whole life.”
“That’s the fun of hunting,” answered Harry. “Of course, you wish the bear was only half as large.”
“Do I? Not much! I want him just as big as he is. Won’t they be surprised at home and at the fort when they hear of this?”