Lige disappeared in the bushes, returning a few moments later, carrying a brace of some sort of animal by the hind legs.
"What's that?" demanded Stacy Brown, his eyes growing large.
"Jack-rabbits," answered the guide. "There are two of them. I shot them, and now we'll eat them. I was providing a supper for you when you heard those shots."
The boys set up a cheer. Now that the wholesome air of the mountains had in reality taken possession of their beings, they found themselves able to arouse enthusiasm over almost any subject.
Lige skilfully skinned the rabbits and dressed them. By the time he had accomplished this the fire was burning high, and out of it he scraped a bed of red hot coals, about which he built an oven of stones.
"Get two sharp sticks," he directed.
On these he spit the rabbits, thrusting them over the coals to cook, while the boys looked on wonderingly.
"You see," said the Professor, "it is possible for a man to find sustenance in almost any place—that is, if he knows how."
"I'd starve to death if I were turned loose up here," said Chunky.
"Of course you would; and I probably should share the same fate. The only mountain subject with which I am familiar is geology," said the Professor.