Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/253

Rh "A bear always tops off a hunt," said Snap.

"That or a moose," put in Giant. "I'd like to get a crack at a good, big moose."

"I am afraid you want too much in this life," answered Snap, with a laugh.

The problem of how to get the carcass down to their camp was a serious one. They did not want to cut the bear up just yet, nor did they want to spoil the skin by dragging it over the rocks.

"Let us make a good, strong drag of tree limbs," suggested Whopper. "We can bind the limbs together closely, so the skin of the beast won't touch the ground after we have tied the bear on top. Then we can all haul it down between the trees."

"Maybe the bear will go down quicker than we anticipate," said Snap. "But I reckon your suggestion is as good as anything."

It took the best part of the morning to make a drag that was satisfactory and pry the big bear on it. Then the carcass was bound down with vines and cords.

"Now, everybody be careful," cautioned Snap. "Some of these rocks are very loose, and it will be the easiest thing in the world to take a tumble and break an ankle or your neck."

Then the trip down the mountainside began. It was truly hard work, for the drag caught on some