ted food."

"Well, we've got the food now," returned Dick grimly. "We'll have all
the bear steaks and roasts anybody wants."

"Yes, and I can tell you a juicy steak will just be boss!" put in Sam
enthusiastically.

It was seen that Tom was hurt more than he cared to admit, and the
others lost no time in building a big camp-fire, that they might warm
themselves, while Dick took off his brother's coat, rolled up his
shirt-sleeves, and bandaged an ugly scratch with a bit of linen.

"You can help here," said John Barrow to Jasper Grinder. "I'll fix it as
your duty to keep the fire a-goin'. There is a hatchet and there is the
brushwood. Don't let the fire go down, or I'm afraid there won't be
enough heat for cooking your supper." And the guide smiled grimly.

At this indirect threat Jasper Grinder scowled. But he did not dare to
complain, and was soon at work cutting brushwood and dragging it to the
spot.

"Gosh, but he's not used to hard work," was Sam's whispered comment.
"I'll wager he doesn't like that for a cent."

"It's time he was set to work doing something," answered Dick. "It will
keep him from getting into mischief."

As late as it was, and although all were tired out from their long walk
through the deep snow, they found it necessary to construct some shelter
for the night. The guide located a number of cedars growing close
together, and this spot was cleaned out and made as comfortable as
circumstances permitted. The fire was shoved over to the new location,
and then John Barrow cut up one of the bears and procured a big juicy
steak for supper. It is needless to say that all enjoyed the treat set
before them, even Jasper Grinder eating his full share.

"We'll hang the meat up on a tree," said John Barrow. "If we don't some
hungry foxes or other wild animals will surely be after it." And
procuring the necessary ropes, he flung them over some limbs and all
hauled the carcasses up, Tom, of course, being excused from the task,
because of his wounded arm.

The wind had gone down, and when all retired within the shelter not a
sound but the merry crackling of the fire broke the stillness around
them. In front of the camp was a long stretch of the pond, now thickly
covered with snow; in the rear a slope of a mountain, rock-ribbed and
covered with cedars and hemlock. To the left was located one of the
branches of the river and a hundred yards distant was a second branch.

At first John Barrow had thought to