Here was plenty of work for all hands.
The bear must first of all be skinned, because Jim said he had a splendid hide that would be worth a good deal to him when properly dried.
Then they wanted some of the meat, in fact all that was worth while, for Jim would dry that which they did not consume.
"Plenty of fat, too," he observed, as he worked. "I like that, because I'm short just now on bear's grease, and a supply would come in handy."
"What do you use it for, Uncle Jim?" asked Owen.
"Dozens of things. I rub it on boots, I keep my guns and ax from rustin' by smearin' it on. Why, long ago in the woods I've known where families made candles out of bear's fat by using a wick in the middle."
By degrees he managed to cut the bear up. The meat was wrapped in packages, so that it might all be transported to the cabin.
"What about the trap; will you set it again?" asked Steve.
"Not here," was the reply. "No other bear is likely to come along the trail this fellow made. One of you boys had best tote it back home. I may need it again this winter if the season stays open and the bears come out to look around, like they do mild winters."
It was well on toward noon when they arrived once more at the cabin, each one being pretty well loaded down.