On a rude bed of dried leaves and twigs tumbled five furry, fuzzy, whining little bear cubs.
"We've broken up a family's happiness this night," muttered Hal, looking down.
"Well, it was their family, or two bunkies," retorted Noll, nevertheless feeling almost ashamed as he bent down over the innocent, harmless, bereaved little cubs.
"Shall we put 'em out of their misery?" asked Hal.
"I—I haven't the heart to."
"Well, I'm afraid I haven't that kind of heart, either. But, see here, Noll!"
"Well?"
"We're in the heart of the enemy's country. If one of C Company's scouting detachments comes this way I don't want them to find the two dead bears and take 'em away in triumph. It would be treason to our own B Company to let C Company come in for an unearned feast on nice, juicy bear steaks."
"That's so," agreed Noll.
"Help me, and we'll drag both carcasses back into the extreme inner end of the cave. Then, if Captain Cortland approves, he can send men here and it will be B Company that'll feast on bear steaks."