The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-09-21
THIRD INSTALLMENT

with half a cup of hot coffee, ant
start off again.
They scarcely went three miles
before they were compelled tC
give up for the day. They had
no supper but coffee, and the
dogs were so ravenous that they
were almost devouring each
other.
Another day-34 hours since
they had tasted food. Yet they
continued their march, sustained
by their superhuman energy OF
purpose. They had to push the
Isledge themselves, for the dogs
could no longer draw it.
Then Johnson grew haggard-
eyed and wild. He caught the
doctors arm that night.
THAT bear is following u.s." he
cried hoarsely.
"A bear following us?"
Eyes, for the last two days."
Eyes, about mile to leeward."
Terrible. And we haven't q
single ball to send after him!"
said the doctor.
"He is reckoning on good
feed of human flesh!" cried John
son, his brain giving way. HE is
sure enough of his meal!" con-
tinued the poor fellow. He must
be hungry, and l don't see why
we should keep him waiting"
johnson, calm yourself!'
mo, Mr.. Clawbonny, since we
must die, why prolong the, ,suf-
ferings of the poor beast? He is
famished like ourselves. There
are no seals for him to eat, and
heaven sends him men! So much
the better for him, that's ALL"
Johnson was fast going mad
THE situation was desperate
johnson" said the doctor, 81
shall kill that bear tomorrow!
Tomorrow" said Johnson, az
if waking up from some bat
Idream. ~,
L 1Coy toIlOiio"s
You have no bullets"
"I'll make one"
you have no lead!"
"No, but I have mercury"
| So saying, he took the ther
mometer, witch stood at SO degree!
above zero, went outside and lait
it on a block of ice. At dawr
they rushed out to look at 1t. AL
1.-THE mercury had frozen into 6
hard piece of metal ready for use
Just then Hatteras made his ap.
lpearance, and the doctor told
him his project, and showed him
the mercury.
The captain grasped his hand
silently, and the three went off in
Quest of their game.
They soon sighted him, about
1900 yards distant.
| Friends, this is no idle sport,
said Hatteras. I'VE must act pru-
IDENTIFY"
Eyes," replied the doctor. 1--WE
have but the one shot. We must
not miss. He would outstrip a
hare in fleetness!"
1--WE must go right up to him, +"
said Hatteras. 81 have a plan"
What is it?" asked the doctor.
"Well, you kept the skin of the
seal you killed, didn't your"
Il II
Cali right! Well get 1t. Leave
Johnson here to watch"
At the snow hut, Hatteras
slipped into the seal skin.
Now, give me the gum" he
said.
Courage, Hatteras!" said the
doctor, handing him the weapon,
which he had loaded with the
mercury bullet.
Soon a seal was making its way
toward the bear. 1t was a perfect
imitation. The bear, greedy-eyed,
waited.
When the seal was 10 PAGES
away, the monster sprang forward
with a tremendous bound, but
stopped short, stupefied and
frightened, when Hatteras threw
off his disguise, knelt on one knee, !.
and aimed straight at the bears
heart. He fired, and the huge
monster rolled back on the ice.
Hatteras had aimed well, and
before either of his companions
came up had plunged his knife in
the animals throat. q
"Hurrahl Bravo!" shouted
Johnson and the doctor, but Hat
teras stood cool and unexcited,
gazing at his PROSTATE foe.
The beast was very fat, an6
weighed 1900 pounds. The hunt;
lers were 30 famished that they
had hardly patience to cut up the
carcass and carry home the flesh
to be cooked. It needed all the
docotr's persuasion to prevent
them eating It raw.
On entering the hut, they were
struck with the GOODNESS of the
atmosphere. The fire was out