ay, one by one.

He turned toward a tall rock and a black figure sprang up, stared at
him a moment or two, and then undertook to run away. Robert's rifle
leaped to his shoulder, and, at a range so short that he could not
miss, he pulled the trigger. The animal went down, shot through the
heart, and then, silently exulting, young Lennox stood over him.

Areskoui had, in truth, been most kind. It was a young bear, nearly
grown, very fat, and, as Robert well knew, very tender also. Here was
food, splendid food, enough to last them many days, and he rejoiced.
Then he was in a quandary. He could not carry the bear away, and while
he could cut him up, he was loath to leave any part of him there. The
wolves would soon be coming, insisting upon their share, but he was
resolved they should have none.

He put his fingers over his mouth and blew between them a whistle,
long, shrill and piercing, a sound that penetrated farther than
the rifle shot. It was answered presently in a faint note from the
opposite slope, and, then sitting down, he waited patiently. He knew
that Tayoga and Willet would come, and, after a while, they appeared,
striding eagerly through the forest. Then Robert rose, his heart full
of gratitude and pride, and, in a grand manner, he did the honors.

"Come, good comrades," he said. "Come to the banquet. Have a steak of
a bear, the finest, juiciest, tenderest bear that was ever killed.
Have two steaks, three steaks, four steaks, any number of them. Here
is abundant food that Areskoui has sent us."

Then he reeled and would have fallen to the ground had not Willet
caught him in his arms. His great effort, made in his weakened
condition, had exhausted him and a sudden collapse came, but he
revived almost instantly, and the three together dragged the body of
the bear into the valley. Then they proceeded dextrously, but without
undue haste, to clean it, to light a fire, and to cook strips. Nor did
they eat rapidly, knowing it was not wise to do so, but took little
pieces, masticating them long and well, and allowing a decent interval
between. Their satisfaction was intense and enormous. Life, fresh and
vigorous, poured back into their veins.

"I'm sorry our bear had to die," said Robert, "but he perished in a
good cause. I think he was reserved for the especial purpose of saving
our lives."

"It is so," said Tayoga with deep conviction. "The face of Areskoui is
now turned toward us. Our unknown sin is expiate