The other two men had already returned to the cabin.  As the wolves might devour the valuable meat before morning, they all three set out immediately, notwithstanding their fatigue and the still raging storm, and taking with them four pack-horses, hastened back to bring in their treasure.  Crockett writes: 

“We got there just before dark, and struck a fire, and commenced butchering my bear.  It was some time in the night before we finished it.  And I can assert, on my honor, that I believe he would have weighed six hundred pounds.  It was the second largest I ever saw.  I killed one, a few years after, that weighed six hundred and seventeen pounds.  I now felt fully compensated for my sufferings in going back after my powder; and well satisfied that a dog might sometimes be doing a good business, even when he seemed to be barking up the wrong tree.

“We got our meat home, and I had the pleasure to know that we now had a plenty, and that of the best; and I continued through the winter to supply my family abundantly with bear-meat, and venison from the woods.”

In the early spring, Crockett found that he had a large number of valuable skins on hand, which he had taken during the winter.  About forty miles southeast from Crockett’s cabin, in the heart of Madison County, was the thriving little settlement of Jackson.  Crockett packed his skins on a horse, shouldered his rifle, and taking his hardy little son for a companion, set off there to barter his peltries for such articles of household use as he could convey back upon his horse.  The journey was accomplished with no more than the ordinary difficulties.  A successful trade was effected, and with a rich store of coffee, sugar, powder, lead, and salt, the father and son prepared for their return.

Crockett found there some of his old fellow-soldiers of the Creek War.  When all things were ready for a start, he went to bid adieu to his friends and to take a parting dram with them.  There were three men present who were candidates for the State Legislature.  While they were having a very merry time, one, as though uttering a thought which had that moment occurred to him, exclaimed, “Why, Crockett, you ought to offer yourself for the Legislature for your district.”  Crockett replied, “I live at least forty miles from any white settlement.”  Here the matter dropped.

About ten days after Crockett’s return home, a stranger, passing along, stopped at Crockett’s cabin and told him that he was a candidate for Legislature, and took from his pocket a paper, and read to him the announcement of the fact.  There was something in the style of the article which satisfied Crockett that there was a little disposition to make fun of him; and that his nomination was intended as a burlesque.  This roused him, and he resolved to put in his claim with all his zeal.  He consequently hired a man to work upon his farm, and set out on an electioneering tour.