ree and some one stole it."

"Hold on Fred, what is that away down there in the hollow?"

"That is the bear, he is trying to climb that tree, I do not think he
will make it, for the clog is fast between those two small saplings
that stand by the large tree. We will go a little closer, there now!
when he turns his head sideways take good aim and put the ball square
in the ear. A good job, Fred, he never knew what hurt him. Now make a
slit in the skin, right at the point of the breast bone, and then
stick him as you would a hog. Do not cut the skin too much. Now Fred
get the clamps out of the knapsack and we will see if we can get him
out of the trap. Now we will skin him as you would a beef with the
exception, we will leave the claws on, for the skins are a much
better price where the feet are left. We will be very careful not to
cut the hide, for they skin about as mean as a hog does. Well now we
will hang the foreparts up in this tree and take the skin and the
saddles and pull for camp."

"Are you not going to set the trap?"

"No, it will be dark before we get to camp now and we have got a
heavy load to carry, in fact, if it was anything but bear, we would
think we could not carry it."

"My, but this is getting heavy."

"Yes, Fred, but this all goes in with trapping and besides it will
improve the appetite."

"I guess so, for I am as hungry as a wolf."

"Well, here we are at camp. Fred, you will find the lamp on that
shelf close up in the corner. You light it while I start the fire.
Now Fred you will find the key to the camp chest behind that ridge
post. Open the chest and take the blankets out so that they will be
airing. Now in the other part of the chest you will find some tin
cups, plates, knives and forks, also some crackers, cheese and ginger
snaps. The cheese is done up in waxed paper. You can put those things
on the table while I go to the spring and get a pail of water. Now,
Fred, you raise that lid and you will find a box sunk down in the
ground, where you will find potatoes and bacon. Get some out. You
will find the coffee in a sack in the chest and the coffee pot is
hanging on that nail. You put the coffee on while I get the
potatoes."

"Oh, we cannot wait for potatoes to cook."

"Yes, we can, I will pare three or four and slice them up and put
them in the spider with a little water and some bits of pork and by
the time the coffee boils, the potatoes will be ready. Fred, just
hand me that lid