n coming in with the young bear. The little creature was skinned
in a very few seconds; and having cut it up, we placed it to roast on
forked sticks before the fire. As may be supposed, we did not wait till
it was overdone, but as soon as the smaller pieces were tolerably cooked
we set to upon them. It was remarkably fat and tender, and with the aid
of Bouncer, who had the head as his share with other portions, the whole
of it was speedily devoured.

As we could not have found our way through the wood in the dark, we were
compelled to let the carcass of the bear remain, hoping that the wolves
would not find it out during the night. Next morning, accompanied by
Bouncer, Alick, Martin, and I set off to cut up the bear and bring in as
much of the meat as we could carry. Robin was left to make up the fire.

"I will see what I can do besides," he said. "I think I can manufacture
a pot in which we can boil some of the bear's flesh. It will be more
satisfactory than having so much roast meat."

We thought he was joking, as we did not see of what materials he could
possibly form his proposed pot.

The notches I had made in the trees enabled us without difficulty to
find our way to the bear. The wolves had not discovered it, though we
put to flight a couple of eagles which had scented it from afar and were
about to plunge down and feast on the carcass.

As we could not carry away the skin, we ripped it roughly away, and were
not long in cutting off the best portions of the meat, including the
paws, which would make, we knew, excellent soup, should Robin really
have been able to manufacture a pot, as he had proposed. Martin and I
carried the larger pieces between us on a long stick, while Alick
followed with the rest on his shoulders.

We were longer absent than we had expected. When we got back we found
that Robin had actually formed a pot of birch-bark, the outside of which
he had covered over with thick clay. It stood half full of water, by
the side of a hole in which a fire was burning. Round the edge of our
former fire was ranged a quantity of clean smooth stones.

"I told you that I should have a pot ready. We shall soon have some
soup if you will cut up the bear's paws," he said. "See, I have already
put in those of the cub."

"How will you make it boil?" asked Martin, lifting up the pot, and
finding that the water was cold.

"All you have to do," said Robin, who was sitting down close to the
spot,