"Doubtless Black Rifle was suffering from the same lack that we are, and it was necessary for him to provision his army of one at once.

He suddenly saw a chance to do so and he turned aside from his direct journey toward the south.

So we shall soon see where Black Rifle shot his bear." "And why not a deer ?" said Grosvenor.
"Because his trail now leads toward that deep thicket on our right, a thicket made up of bushes and vines and briars.

A deer could not have gone into it, but a bear could, and we know now it was a bear, because here are its tracks.

Black Rifle killed the bear in the thicket." "Are you sure of that, Tayoga ?" asked Robert.
"Absolutely sure, Dagaeoga.