" Fortunately, after a short,
killing climb, the return was all down-hill. One stride of Hiram's equalled
two of mine, and he made his faster, so that I had to trot now and then to
catch up. Very soon I was as hot as fire, and every step was an effort. But
I kept thinking of Dick, of my mustang and outfit, and I vowed I would
stick to Hiram Bent's trail till I dropped. For the matter of that I did
drop more than once before we reached the cabin.
A short rest while Hiram was packing a few things put me right again. I
strapped my rifle over my shoulder, and then went out to untie my bear cub.
It would have cost me a great deal to leave him behind. I knew I ought to,
still I could not bring myself to it. All my life I had wanted a bear cub.
Here was one that I had helped to lasso and tie up with my own hands. I
made up my mind to hold to the cub until the last gasp.
So I walked up to Cubby with a manner more bold than sincere. He had not
eaten anything, but he had drunk the water we had left for him. To my
surprise he made no fuss when I untied the rope; on the other hand, he
seemed to look pleased, and I thought I detected a cunning gleam in his
little eyes. He paddled away down the canyon, and, as this was in the
direction we wanted to go, I gave him slack rope and followed.
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