Nothing had happened.

It was surely dead.

He studied it intently for a moment, then took a careful grip with his teeth and started off down the stream, partly carrying, partly dragging the porcupine, with head turned to the side so as to avoid stepping on the prickly mass.

He recollected something, dropped the burden, and trotted back to where he had left the ptarmigan.
He did not hesitate a moment.

He knew clearly what was to be done, and this he did by promptly eating the ptarmigan.