Both bunkies worked industriously until this task had been accomplished.
"Speaking of bear steaks," announced Hal, "makes me realize that I'm famished myself. Now, as we're clear off the trail of B Company—and that's no dream—we'll have to put in the night finding our comrades. So a few minutes spent munching hardtack won't count."
"And not forgetting the salted almonds we bought in the village this afternoon," rejoined the other young soldier.
Down on the floor of the cave the bunkies squatted themselves.
The work of eating absorbed both for the next few minutes.
Then, of a sudden, they halted, astonished.
Human footsteps sounded on the rocks outside.
Privates Overton and Terry stopped their eating, neither venturing to speak, for a voice outside was saying:
"Sergeant, instruct the men not to light fires. They'll have to sup on hard tack alone to-night. Fires would betray us to the enemy."
Then Hal placed his mouth close to Noll's ear and whispered: