CHAPTER XXXIV
In the Hands of the Enemy
Weary as they were with their over-energetic day's work, the boys went to bed early that night—all of them but Tom. That tireless Nimrod had found a bear's den the day before and was minded to go out and watch for the bear that inhabited it. "Your bear is a night prowler," he said, "and if I can catch this one going out of his den or into it to-night, I'll bring home a supply of meat. We're a trifle short of that commodity just now."
Several of the boys wanted to go with Tom, and the lieutenant, who had dined with them that evening, wanted to send two soldiers as his assistants.
"No," said Tom, "I don't want anybody with me. We'd inevitably talk, and then we'd never see a bear. I'll go alone."
With that he took his rifle and went out into the darkness, while the rest of the boys went to bed and to sleep.
As he neared the bear den which he had discovered during the day and identified by tracks, Tom moved very cautiously, making no noise, and, secreting himself between two rock masses, lay down to await developments.
Hour after hour passed, and there were none. Still Tom maintained an attitude of alert attention.
Presently a great light appeared over a spur of the mountain, in the direction of Camp Venture.