"Yes, yes," answered Hugh, "only very hungry and stiff."
We quickly made our way to the tree, where I found Hugh safe and sound,
and assisted him to descend. He told us that he had fallen in with the
bears on his way out, and had just time to escape from them by climbing
up the tree, where they had kept him a prisoner all day.
"I am thankful to get ye back, Hugh. You disobeyed orders, and have
been punished pretty severely. I hope it will be a lesson to you," was
the only remark Uncle Donald made as he grasped Hugh's hand. I judged,
by the tone of his voice, that he was not inclined to be very angry.
Having flayed the bears by the light of Sandy's torches, we packed up as
much of the meat as we could carry, and hung up the remainder with the
skins, intending to send for it in the morning. We then, having met the
other two men, hastened homewards with Hugh; and I need not say how
rejoiced Rose and Madge were to see him back safe.