s."

The body of the bear was cold and stiff, showing that it had died
shortly after being shot. It was a good-sized creature, and the
young hunters felt justly proud of their quarry.

"I knew we'd get plenty of small game, but I was afraid we wouldn't
get a bear," said Whopper.

"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 rocks and slid altogether too
fast over others. Then, at one point, they came close to running
into a nest of hornets. One of the wicked creatures stung Whopper
on the hand and another stung Shep on the neck, and there followed
a wild dancing and yelling, while the boys allowed the drag to
tumble over and over down the rocks and ran for safety.

"Look out for the hornets!"

"We'll be stung to death!

"Did you ever see the match!" groaned Whopper, after the excitement
was over. "Just gaze on that hand---as big as a baseball mitt!

"And look at my neck!" came dolefully from the doctor's son.

A few of the hornets were buzzing around the fallen carcass of the
bear and the young hunters did not dare to approach until the pests
had departed. Then the drag was righted and the journey down the
mountainside was continued.

"Who ever thought so many things would happen on this trip," was
Snap's comment. "First we shot the bear, then we tumbled into th