Page:Zakhar Berkut(1944).djvu/31

 At the head of the company of huntsmen, the Tukholian mountain youths carried, slung on a pole, three large bear skins and the pair of cubs in a bag. The servants brought up the rear, carrying upon the improvised stretcher the already stiff, bloody body of the boyar who had perished in the savage clutches of the bear.

Under Maxim’s expert guidance they reached their encampment without undue loss of time. The entire company planned to return home as soon as they were finished with their noonday meal. They were a long distance from home, but Maxim promised he would show them the shortest route to Tukhlia and from there to the home of Tuhar Wolf.

The Tukholian youths left as soon as they were finished with their dinner. Maxim remained with the boyars until the servants had broken up camp, took down the tents, packed away all the cooking utensils and hunting supplies. Then the company of boyars also set out upon the trail home, with Maxim in the lead.