behind him, ready to
stuff the blankets into the hole in case the occupants should try to
bolt.

They uncovered the burrow for about four feet; then they had to
dislodge another rather large stone. There seemed to be a large, dark
cavity down behind it. When they stopped to listen, they could hear a
slight sound of movement in the darkness, and a faint squeaking.

"They're there," said Horace; "not a yard away. Now who's going to
reach in and pull 'em out?"

Macgregor volunteered at once; he crept up to the hole and cautiously
thrust in his arm. There was a sound of scrambling inside and a sharp
squeal. Mac, with a strained expression on his face, groped about with
his hand inside the hole.

When he withdrew his arm, there was blood on his hand, but he held by
the neck a little jet-black animal with a bushy tail, as large as a
kitten.

"Open the cage--quick!" he cried.

Fred held the door up, and Mac dropped the cub in. For a moment the
animal rushed from side to side, and then crouched trembling in a
corner.

"Nipped me on the thumb," said Mac, examining his hand. "They've got
teeth like needles. But the old one doesn't seem to be there now, and
I can easily get the rest."

He fished the second out without being bitten, and caged it safely.
But his hold on the third cub could not have been very secure, for the
little creature managed by struggling frantically to squirm out of his
hand. It turned over in the air, landed on its four feet, and darted
swiftly away.

The boys shouted in dismay. Fred flung himself sprawling upon the cub;
but it evaded him like lightning, and bolted into the undergrowth. It
would have been useless to pursue it.

The boys were greatly chagrined.

"It was my fault," said Peter, in disgust. "But it can't be helped
now, and there's another to come out."

He had trouble in getting hold of the last of the cubs. Twice he
winced with pain as the animal bit him, but at last he hauled it into
view. It was a little larger than the others; it scratched and bit
like a fury, and nearly broke away before they got it into the cage.

The boys gathered round and gloated over their prizes. With their
glossy jet coats, bushy tails, prick-eared faces, and comical air of
intense intelligence, the cubs were beautiful little creatures; but
they were all in a desperate panic, and huddled together in the
farthest corner of the cage.

"If we can only get them home in good condition t