“We got scared over nothing,” was Harry’s comment.
“But those tracks were there!”
“Oh, yes, plain enough.”
“Then the hunter must have turned in some other direction.”
“Yes; I couldn’t see the trail after passing over yonder rocks.”
The tree branches were thick in this vicinity, so that the boys could see but little of what was above them. They set to work without delay, and soon one deer was lowered to the ground and then the other. Then two drags were cut down and the game was tied fast with ropes.
“Now for dinner and then for home,” said Joe. “By the time we get back I reckon we’ll be as tired as we was when we hauled in the bear.”
The young pioneers had brought along some cooked food, so they did not bother with starting up a fire. The tramp had kept them warm, and they sat down on some rocks to eat their midday meal.
While they were eating they did not notice a dark form circling about them and drawing closer and closer with every step. Yet such was the fact, and the form was that of a brownish-black wolverene.
It may be remarked here that the wolverene, often known by the name of glutton, is one of the wildest and fiercest beasts ever met with in any North American forest. It is similar to a small bear in appearance, but has a larger mouth and teeth and larger and sharper claws. It is a great lover of raw meat, and will fight sometimes to the bitter end to obtain what it desires. It has an especial fondness for the meat of the deer and the beaver.