The boys at once set to work to prepare a stretcher for their wounded scoutmaster.  With a scout axe, Rod cut down several small maples, trimmed off the leaves, and cut them the necessary length.  He then asked the captain for his coat, as it was the largest they could get.  Through the sleeves of this they ran two of the poles, which thus formed one end of the stretcher.  Then taking off their own coats they did the same to the other end.  It took five of theirs to equal the captain’s, and even then they were afraid that all combined would not bear the man’s weight.  In addition to the coats, the scouts fastened their leather belts together, and stretched these between the poles for greater support.

The captain was greatly pleased at the speedy way in which the boys did this work.  But he had his doubts about their being able to carry him home.  He weighed about one hundred and seventy pounds, which would mean over forty pounds to each of the four scouts who would take their turn at the stretcher.  Rod thought of this and a new idea came suddenly into his mind.  Picking up two of the other maple saplings he had cut, he placed them crosswise beneath the stretcher, and stationed a scout at each end.  When all was ready, the captain rolled himself upon the rude contrivance which had been made, and told the boys to go ahead.  At once the eight scouts stooped and without any difficulty lifted him from the ground.  They were delighted to find that not a sleeve ripped, and not a belt gave way.

It was decided that they should follow the brook down-stream for a distance until they came to the old winter-road.  By doing this they would escape the thick woods, as well as the climb up the steep bank.  It was a rough trip, and the captain was jolted a great deal.

“Don’t make me sea-sick,” he warned, when he swayed more than usual.  “Ugh!” he groaned, as one of the boys slipped upon a rock, and dropped the end of his pole.  “I’ve been over many rough seas in my life, but nothin’ to equal this.  Steady, there,” he cried, as the swaying motion increased.  “Ah, that’s better,” he encouraged, when they at length reached the winter-road.

The scouts enjoyed the captain’s remarks.  He cheered them when they did well, and made them rest occasionally.  But it was a heavy load they were bearing, and right glad were they when at last they reached the Anchorage, and handed over their charge to Mrs. Britt.

That afternoon Phil’s father took his horses and went with the scouts to bring in the bear.  Several able-bodied men accompanied them, for news had spread from house to house of what had taken place up the brook.  It was almost sundown, when they returned, and quite a crowd of neighbours were gathered around the captain’s house to see the bear which Rod had shot.

The scouts were delighted with their adventure, and each considered himself a hero when he met other boys in the parish.  Whyn was greatly excited over the whole affair, and had to hear every detail from the captain himself.  Her eyes sparkled with pleasure when she learned of the brave part Rod had taken.  She was wise enough, however, not to praise Rod when the rest of the scouts were present, for she knew that they would be jealous.  But when he was alone with her one afternoon, she told him just what she thought.