Securing the animals was easy, and a few gentle words soon quieted them down. Then Owen tied them fast and returned to where he had left Dale. On examination they found that one of the runners of the sleigh was cracked, but not broken completely off, and around the cracked portion they wound some stout cord, making it almost as strong as before. Then they turned the outfit right side up and searched about for the load, which had been spilled in all directions. "It's snowing harder than ever," said Dale. "And some of the things I can't see anywhere." "I've got to mend that harness," came from his chum. Owen went down to patch up the broken straps, while Dale continued to hunt for the missing things. As the younger of the two had said, the storm was increasing, and both felt that the troubles of the trip were by no means at an end. CHAPTER XI SPRINGTIME IN THE CAMP When Owen returned with the horses, Dale had found everything but a bag of shot that had been resting in the back end of the sleigh when the catastrophe occurred. "I can't find the shot anywhere," he said. "It was so heavy that it has sunk clear out of sight." "Well, we can't waste time here," was Owen's reply. "Come, help me hitch up the team and we'll be on our way." They were soon ready to move, and then came the task of getting the turnout back to the road at the top of the hollow. Before making the start Owen tested the ground and the snow in several directions with a stick. "We'll try it this way," he said, pointing out the course. "You take hold of Billy and I'll try to handle Daisy." With some misgivings, the start was made. The horses lurched and plunged, and the sleigh creaked and groaned as if ready to go to pieces then and there. "One more pull and we'll be up!" cried Owen. "Now then, get up, Daisy! get up, Billy!" The team did its best, and now the sleigh was at the very edge of the trail above. Here was a steep incline of several yards. Billy slipped and Dale came close to going under the animal's hoofs. But horse and youth regained their positions, and with a final jerk the horses reached a firm footing, and the turnout and the young lumbermen came after them. "Phew! That's a good job done!" panted Owen, coming to a halt for breath. "You're right, Owen. I was afraid we'd have to give it up," panted Dale in return. "Here is the bag of shot. It must have fallen out of the sleigh when the horses first took fright." "Do you think that bear will bother us any more?" "I hope not. But you had better keep the shot-gun handy. I'll take the reins and try to keep them under control, no matter what happens." The sky had grown darker, and the snow was now coming down in smaller flakes. These appeared to grow harder, and presently the wind came up, driving the flakes into their faces like so much salt.