There followed a short spell of silence, and then the firearm of the old hunter rang out. The report was followed by a cat-like screech, loud and of short duration. Then from one limb to another tumbled the wolverene, striking the ground with a whirl and sending the snow flying in all directions. But the shot was a fatal one, and in a few minutes the savage beast gave a shudder, stiffened out, and lay still. “Is he—he dead?” asked Bart, almost in a whisper. “Dead as a door nail, boys,” answered Joel Runnell. “He was a fighter right enough, wasn’t he?” “I never want to go after another wolverene,” declared Joe. “You are right; one is enough,” returned Bart. For once his face was strangely white. “What shall we do with the animal?” went on Joe. “May as well keep the hide,” answered the old hunter. “That will pay us back for our deer meat. You can make a mat of it when you get home.” “I believe now some of the stories I have heard about wolverenes,” declared Bart. “Why, this creature is about as bad to meet as a bear.” “Worse than some bears.” “Do you boys know what the wolverene is sometimes called?” asked the old hunter. “I don’t know. What?” asked Joe. “The skunk bear, on account of its peculiar colorings. Yes, after this, fight shy of wolverenes if you can help it.” CHAPTER XXV TEDDY EVENS THE SCORE “You must have had a close call,” said Harry, when the others returned to the camp and told their story. “I am mighty glad that wolverene didn’t get a chance at me.” “Sure an’ if I see wan of them bastes I’ll run for me life,” came from Teddy. “It’s worse nor a—a tiger they must be.” “Worse than Injuns, Teddy,” said Link, dryly. “Ah! Go run after your own shadow,” growled Teddy, in deep disgust. And then, as he turned away there was a merry twinkle in his eyes. “Sure an’ I’ll fix ’em to-night,” he murmured to himself. Link and Harry had employed their spare time in making for themselves two pillows of pine needles. This was easy, for they had brought along some bags for nuts and had merely to fill these and then sew up the open ends. Watching his chance, Teddy got hold of the two pillows and also the box containing pepper. Into each pillow he poured some pepper and also sprinkled the outside liberally. It had been decided that an early start should be made the next morning in a search for the three tramps, and Joel Runnell advised that all hands turn in early. “I’m willing,” said Fred, and was the first to lie down and go to sleep. Then the fire was fixed for the night and the others followed his example. The silence in the shelter did not last long. Suddenly Link gave a terrific sneeze and Harry followed suit. “Boys, get out of the draught or you’ll take cold,” came from Joel Runnell. “I’m not in any—ker-chew!—draught,” answered Harry.