The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-09-25
TKf1lIGI}MpOL,E
E - - BY JULES VERHE. 1851

as far as Isle Johnson, and make
some photographic notes, and
johnson should remain behind to
keep house.
At 8 O'Clock they started, ac-
companied by Duke, who frisked
and gamboled with delight. They
had been gone about an hour
when johnson suddenly heard the
report of gun.
Capital" he exclaimed. "They
have found something, and pref
ty quick, too"
A second and third shot fol-
lowed.
"Bravo!" again exclaimed the
boatswain; they have fallen in
luck's way!"
But when three more shots
came in rapid succession, the old
man turned pale, and thought
crossed his mind which made him
rush out and climb hastily to the
top of the cone.
He shuddered at the sight
which met his eyes.
The three hunters, followed by
Duke, we're tearing home at full
speed, followed by the five huge
bears. Their six bullets had evil
IDENTIFY had no effect. The mon
sters were close on their heels.
Hatteras, who brought UP the
rear, could only manage to keep
off his pursuers by flinging down
one article after another-first
his cap, then his Ratchet, and,
finally, his gun. He knew that
the inQuisitive bears would stop
and examine every object, sniff
fling all round 1t, and this gave
him a little time, otherwise he
could not have escaped, for these
animals outstrip the fleetest
horse, and one monster was so
near that Hatteras had to brand
ish his knife vigorously to ward
off a tremendous blow from his
paw.
At last, though painting and
out of breath, the three men
reached johnson safely, and slid
down the rock with him into the
snow house. The bears stopped
short on the upper plateau, and
Hatteras and his companions lost
no time in barring and barricad-
ing them out.
Here we are at last!" exclaim-
ed Hatteras, I'VE can defend our
selves better now. 1t is five
against five"
"Four!" said Johnson, in a
frightened voice.
"How?"
"The doctor!" replied Johnson.
pointing to the empty sitting
room.
"Well, he is in Isle Johnson.
"a bad job for him." said Bell.
but we can't leave him to his
fate, in this fashion, said Alta
mont.
mo, let's be off to him at
once" replied Hatteras.
He opened the door, but soon
shut it, narrowly escaping al
bears hug.
"They are there!" he ex-
claimed.
"All?" asked Bell. asiN
1.-The whole pack"
Altamont rushed to the win
dows, and began to fill up the
deep embrasure with blocks of |
fee, which he broke off the walls |
of the house.
His companions followed his
example silently. ONT a sound
was heard but the low, deep growl
of Duke.
They were besieged.
All were worried about the
good doctor.
I'VE must get rid of the bears
before he comes" said Hatteras.
But how?" asked Bell.
1t was difficult to reply to this.
A sortie was out of the question.
They could hear the bears prowl-
ing about outside, growing and
scraping the walls with their
enormous paws.
However, action must be taken
speedily. Altamont resolved to
try portfolio through which he
might fire on his assailants. He
scooped out a hole in the wall,
but his gun was hardly pushed
through when 1t was seized with
Irresistible force and wrested
from his grasp before he could
even fire.
"Confound IT." he exclaimed,
were no match for them"
He fastened to stop up the
breach as fast as possible.
This state of things had lasted
upwards of an hour, and therel'
seemed no prospect of a termina-
ton.
The question of a sortie began
now to be seriously discussed.
There was little chance of sue
cess, as the bears could not be at
tackled separately, but Hatterasj
and his companions had grown
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