peril had been extreme, and after it was over, poor Tom found he could scarcely stand. Dick led him to a rock and set him down, asking him if he was hurt.
"I got a scratch on the arm, but I reckon it's not much," was the faint answer. "But it was a close call, wasn't it?"
"Those bears must have been awfully hungry, or they wouldn't have put up such a fight," said the guide. "Their being at the cache proves they wanted food."
"Well, we've got the food now," returned Dick firmly. "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 bandadged 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.
