For a quarter of a mile up the creek he could hear Miki's entreating protest.
To Challoner the business of the day was not a matter of personal pleasure, nor was it inspired alone by his desire to possess a cub along with Miki.

He needed meat, and bear pork thus early in the season would be exceedingly good; and above all else he needed a supply of fat.

If he bagged this bear, time would be saved all the rest of the way down to civilization.
It was eight o'clock when he struck the first unmistakably fresh signs of Noozak and Neewa.

It was at the point where Noozak had fished four or five days previously, and where they had returned yesterday to feast on the "ripened" catch.

Challoner was elated.