Bathalda speedily made a fire by rubbing two sticks together, and after skinning the bear, cut it up; and while Roger was superintending the roasting of some pieces over the fire, Bathalda searched in the wood, and speedily returned with some roots, which he placed in the ashes, and which turned out excellent eating with the bear's flesh.
As it was now far on in the afternoon, and as they had already performed a very fatiguing day's work, they resolved to wait where they were until the morning.
"What do you think would be our best course, now ?" Roger asked, after they had eaten their meal, and were stretched close to the fire for warmth--for at this elevation the cold was great.
Bathalda did not reply, but sat pouring out volumes of smoke from the pipe he had just filled.

At last Roger repeated the question.
"I am ready to go where my lord wills." "Yes, Bathalda; but that is no answer to my question.

You know the ways of your people, and I do not.

We have had a sharp fight with them today.

What is likely to come of it ?" Bathalda shook his head.
"The news will, long before this, have been sent by swift runners to every town and village on this slope of the mountains.