But they had a great interest in the pig.

Their exhausted horses were now useless, and they had thought they would have to kill one to get something to eat.

But the pig, albeit he was a lean one, was a treasure indeed.

To advance upon the Russian line in broad daylight would have been madness.

Darkness was their only hope.
Reaching down into the ravine, the grenadier hoisted the body of the poor pig to his comrade, and the two of them lugged it back far in the woods where it was safe to kindle a fire.