“Jimminy!” said Firetop,—or if it wasn’t “Jimminy” it was something that meant the same thing,—“I just hate to think of it. Can’t you go on a little longer?”
“What’s the difference?” moaned Firefly. “It’s got to come some time. We might
as well have it over. I’m not going another step.” And she sat plump down on a fallen tree.
Firetop put his hands to his mouth and gave a long sharp cry. It was the distress signal of the Bear Clan. Hawk-Eye and Limberleg stopped instantly. They looked up the river; they looked down the river. Then they caught a glimpse of two red heads and two very scared faces, far back on the bluff. They came tearing back through the underbrush to the two small figures on the log.
They could hardly believe their eyes.
“Where did you come from, you naughty little weasels?” cried Limberleg angrily.
“From the cave,” said Firefly. “We followed you because we want to see what lies beyond the blue hills across the river, too. And if you are going to spank us, please do it right away, because we are awfully hungry.”
“Oh, no,” cried Firetop. “You needn’t do it now if you’d rather not! Couldn’t you put it off until we get home again? We’re willing to wait, and you’d have more time then.”
Limberleg and Hawk-Eye didn’t discuss the matter. They sat right down on the log and began. Limberleg took Firefly and Hawk-Eye took Firetop, and they spanked and spanked.