He was looking for firewood.

We need not follow the trail of the Great Bear, because his object was surely the same.

They were so confident of their united strength that they built a fire to cook food and take away the coldness of the night.

Although Great Bear had no food it was not necessary for him to hunt, because Black Rifle had enough for both.

The fact that the Great Bear did not go away in search of game proves it.
"I think we will find the remains of their fire just beyond the low hill on the crest of which the bushes grow so thick.