"Well, it's mighty cold here, sometimes. Anyway, I'd like to go--if he'd take me." "Same here--but he doesn't want boys, he wants men, and tough ones, too." So the talk ran on, as the boys made their way to the clump of spruces where Chet had had his adventure. At a distance they saw the stick, with the handkerchief, deep in the snow. "Well, there is your landmark, anyway," said Andy. "I hope nobody disturbed the game." "It looks all right," answered his chum. "But of course the snow would cover any tracks, even if the game was disturbed." With eager hands they uncovered the mound, and soon brought to light the big moose with his wide-spreading antlers. "Certainly a dandy!" cried Andy, as he surveyed the game. "You can be thankful he didn't hit you before you reached the tree, Chet. He would have smashed you into a jelly." "Well, as it was, he caused Mr. Dawson a bad fall." The boys went back to the trees, and after a careful inspection, took a hatchet and cut a long branch for a drag. On this they bound the deer, and then started on the return to Professor Jeffer's cabin, hauling their load behind them. It was hard work to make progress through the deep snow, and they had to rest several times to catch their breath. "I think we had better take the long way around," said Chet, after half the distance had been covered. "We can't very well get up the hill this side of the cabin, and, besides, there is a bad gully to cross this side of the brook." "You show the way," answered his chum. "You know these parts a little better than I do." By the new route they had to pass through a patch of woods where the snow made the branches of the trees hang low. It was hard work to pass between some of the trees, and once it looked as if they would have to turn back. "We are earning this meat," was Andy's comment, as he paused to pick up the cap that a branch had swept from his head. "Looks like it," answered Chet, laconically. "I guess we should have waited until the weather was better." Now, as it chanced, Chet was as tired as Andy, and consequently his quick temper showed itself. "You didn't have to come for the moose if you didn't want to," he cried, quickly. "Oh, I'm not complaining, Chet." "It's the same thing." "Not at all--and there is no cause for you to get mad about it." "Well, then, don't find fault. I'm pulling as hard on this load as you." "I know it. We made a mistake to come this way, I am afraid." "Oh, yes, that's you,--blame that on me, too." Chet now looked thoroughly angry. "I've a good mind to leave the old moose where he is." And he let go of the branch on which the game rested. "Chet!" Andy uttered the name reproachfully, and gazed fearlessly into his chum's eyes. There was an awkward pause. Then the face of the quick-tempered youth grew red. "Well, I don't care----" he began, and took hold of the drag again.