But his thoughts were now on deer, and his ambition was to go out
alone and return with a load of venison.
Another and more thrilling experience followed quickly. Rounding
a bend in the early dawn they sighted a black bear and two cubs
rambling along the gravelly bank and stopping now and then to eat
something that turned out to be crayfish.
Quonab had not seen a bear since childhood, when he and his
father hunted along the hardwood ridges back of Myanos, and now
he was excited. He stopped paddling, warned Rolf to do the same,
and let the canoe drift backward until out of sight; then made
for the land. Quickly tying up the canoe he took his gun and Rolf
his hunting arrows, and, holding Skookum in a leash, they dashed
into the woods. Then, keeping out of sight, they ran as fast and
as silently as possible in the direction of the bears. Of
course, the wind was toward the hunters, or they never could have
got so near. Now they were opposite the family group and needed
only a chance for a fair shot. Sneaking forward with the utmost
caution, they were surely within twenty-five yards, but still the
bushes screened the crab-eaters.
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