"'Perhaps they may,' replied William. "'You know that I am an honest fellow,' resumed Francis (for so was the neighbor called): 'well, if you choose, we will divide the bear between us; two men in such a case are better than one.' "'That's as it may be,' replied William, at the same time cutting his third slug. "'I'll tell you what,' continued Francis, 'I will leave you in full possession of the skin, and we will only share the flesh between us, together with the bounty offered by government for every bear that is killed, and which will give us forty francs apiece.' "'I should prefer having the whole myself,' replied William. "'But you can not prevent me from seeking the bear's track in the mountain, and placing myself in ambush on his passage.' "'You are free to do that, if you please.' So saying, William, who had now completed the manufacture of his slugs, began to measure out a charge of powder double in amount to that usually placed in a carabine. "'I see you intend to use your musket?' said Francis. "'Yes, of course I do; three iron slugs will do their work more surely than a leaden bullet.' "'They will spoil the skin.' "'Never mind that, if they do their work more effectually.' "'And when do you intend to commence your chase?' "'I will tell you that to-morrow.' "'Once more, then--are you quite determined not to let me share the chance with you?' "'Yes, I prefer managing the whole matter myself, and sharing neither the danger nor the profit--_chacun pour soi_.' "'Farewell, then, neighbor--I wish you success.' "In the evening, as Francis was passing Mona's dwelling, he saw the huntsman quietly seated on the bench before his door, engaged in smoking his pipe. He once more approached him and said: "'See, I bear you no ill-will--I have discovered the bear's track, therefore I might lie in wait for him and shoot him, if I pleased, without your help; but I have come once more to you, to propose that we should attack him together.' "'Each one for himself,' replied William, as before. "Francis knew nothing of Mona's proceedings during the remainder of that evening, except that his wife saw him take up his musket at about half-past ten o'clock, roll up a bag of gray sack-cloth, place it under his arm, and leave the house. She did not venture to ask him what he was about; for Mona, in such cases, was apt to tell her to hold her tongue, and not trouble herself about matters which did not concern her. "Francis had really in the mean time tracked the bear, as he had said he would. He had followed its traces as far as the border of William's orchard, and, not liking to trespass upon his neighbor's territory, he then took up his post on the borders of the pine-wood which lay on the slope of the hill overhanging Mona's garden.