Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-12-10

so near that Hatteras had to brandish
HIS hnlFe vigorously to ward off a ire
nlenoous blow from his paw.
AZ last though painting and out of
oreath' the three men reached Johnson
safely and Slid down the rock with
MN INTO the snow house. The bears
stopped short on the upper plateau
and Hatteras and his COMPANIONS lost
no time in barring and barricodino
them out.
mere we are at last" exclaimed
Hatteras, I'VE can defend ourselves
"etler now 1t is five against fve''
sour! said Johnson, in a fright
ened voice.
Howe"
The doctor!" replied Johnson,
pointing to the empty sitting room.
"ell' 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 Altamont.
NO, let us be off to him at once"
replied Hatteras.
ne opened the door, but soon shut
IT, narrowly escaping a bears hug.
Ihey are there!" he exclaimed.
All?' asked Bell
The whole pack"
Altamont rushed to the windows,
and began to fill up the deep embra-
sure with blocks of ice, which he broke
Off the walls of the house.
His companions followed his exam
pie silently. Not a sound was heard
put the low, deep growl of Duke
They were besieged.
AL were worried about the good
doctor
we must get rid of the bears before
he comes" said Hatteras.
But howe" asked Bell
1t was difficult to reply to this A
sortie was out of the question They
could hear the bears prowling about
outside, growing and scraping the
walls with their enormous paws.
However, action must be taken
speedily. Altamont resolved to try a
portfolio through which he might fire
on his assailants. He scooped out a
hole in the wall, but his gun was hard
ly pushed through when it was seized
with Irresistible force and wrested
from his grasp before he could even
fire.
"Confound it," he exclaimed, we're
no match for them"
He FASTENED to stop up the breach
as fast as possible.
This state of things had lasted up
wards of an hour, and there seemed
no prospect of a termination.
The question of a sortie began now
to be seriously discussed. There was
little chance of success, as the bears
could not be attacked separately, but
Hatteras and his companions had
grown impatient. Also they were
ashamed of being kept in prison by
beasts.
He took Johnson's furnace poker and
thrust it into the stove, while he
made an opening in the snow wall, or,
rather a partial opening, for he left a
thin sheet of ice on the outer side.
AS soon as the poker was red hot. he
said to his comrades, who stood eager
ly watching him, wondering.
"This red hot bar will keep off the
bears when they try to get hold of it,
and we shall be able easily to fire
across it without letting them snatch
away our guns"
Hatteras withdrew the poker, and
plunged it in the wall. The melting
snow made loud, kissing noise, and
the two bears ran and made a snatch
at the glowing bar; but they fell back
with a terrible howl, and at the same
moment four shots resOunded, one
after the other.
"Hit!" exclaimed Altamont.
Hit" echoed Bell.
Let us repeat it." said Hatteras,
carefully stopping up the opening
meantime.
The poker was again thrust into the
fire and in a few minutes was ready
for Hatteras to recommence opera
lions.
Altamont and Bell reloaded their
Gums and took their places; but this
time the poker would not pass through.
"Confound the beasts" exclaimed
the American
whats the matter?" asked Johnson.
.eWhat's the matter? Why, they are
pfling up block after block, intending
to bury us alive!"
.Inpossible!"
Look for yourself; the poker can't
get through
hears meant to Stlne Jnelf prey. Iney
we're heaping up huge masses, which
would make escape impossible.
Two hours passed. The air grew
close. Every opening was hermetlcal-
" sealed. The stoves would hardly
draw. and it was evident would soon
go out altogether for want of oxygen.
Hatteras was the first to see their
fresh danger and he made no attempt
70 hide it from his companions.
IF that is the case" said Altamont'
1--WE must get out at all risks"
Yes" replied Hatteras; but we
,,ust wait till night. We will make
a hole in the room, and let in some
dir and then one of us can fire out of
it on the bears,
.eTt Is the only thing we can do,
s,nnose." said A1tamont
Night drew on, and the lamp III the
sit+ins room began to burn dim Tor
want of oxygen.
A. o'clock the final arrangements
we're completed, and all that remained
70 do was to make an opening IN the