“But I see no tracks leading to the camp,” went on Dave, looking around in the snow.
“No, and that proves that the animal came here while it was snowing and went away after it cleared off. The tracks made coming have been covered up.”
“Think of a bear so close and both of us fast asleep!” said Dave, with a shiver. “I suppose we can be thankful that he spared our lives.”
“A bear will not attack a man unless he finds it necessary. Had he been very hungry and had there been no food around he might have pounced upon us.”
“But what shall we do now? We haven’t a pound of meat left.”
At this Washington laughed. “I propose to go after my meat,” he said. “And if I cannot get my meat back then I’ll try for the bear himself.”
“A bear hunt! Just the thing! You’ll let me go along, won’t you?”
“I don’t know whether it would be right or not, David. I promised your uncle to take good care of you.”
“But if you leave me here alone, the bear may come back,” insisted the youth.
“True, too—although I doubt if he will return. However, you can go with me if you’ll promise to be careful and keep back when I tell you.”