Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-22

Also they were ashamed of being kept
in prison by beasts.
, He took Johnson's furnace poker and
thrust II into the stove, while he made an
opening in the snow wall, or, rather,
partial opening, for he left thin sheet of
ice on the outer side. AS soon as the
poker was red hot, he said to his COM
rades, who stood eagerly 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 with
out letting them snatch away our guns"
Hatteras withdrew the poker, and
plunged it in the wall. The melting snow
made a loud kissing noise, and the two
bears ran and made snatch at the glow
ing bar; but they fell back with terrible
howl, and at the same moment four shots
resounded, one after the other.
"Hitr exclaimed Altamont.
''Hit!" echoed Bell.
LET US repeat it, said Hatteras, care
fully stopping up the opening meantime.
The poker was again thrust into the
fire, and in few minutes was ready for
Hatteras to recommence operations.
Altamont and Bell reloaded their guns,
and took their places; but this. time the
poker would not pass through.
"Confound the beasts!" exclaimed the
American. .-..
What's the matter?" asked johnson.
What's the matter? Why. they are
piling UP block after block, intending to
bury us alive!'
"Impossible!'' ..
LOOK for yourself; the poker can't
get through"
1t was worse than alarming. The bears
meant to stife their prey. They were
heaping up huge masses, which would
make escape impossible.
Two hours passed. The air grew close.
Every opening was Theoretically sealed.
The stoves would hardly draw, and it
was evident would soon go out altogeth-
err for want of oxygen.
Hatteras was the first to see their
fresh danger, and he made no attempt to
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 must
wait till night. We will make a hole in
the roof, and let in some air, and then
one of US can fire out Of it on the bears 4"
1T is the only thing we can do, sup
pose said Altamont.
Night drew on, and the lamp in the
sitting room began to burn dim for want
% oxygen.
were completed, and all that remained to
do was to make an opening in the roof.
They had been working away at this
for some minutes, when Johnson, who
had been keeping watch in the sleeping
room. came in hurriedly.
Whats the matter?" all asked at once.
Nothing exactly said the old sailor,
land yeti
Come out with itg' exclaimed Alta
mont.
81 hear a peculiar noise?"
"Where?'
Here. on this side, on the wall of the
room"
All stopped working and listened. John
son was right. A noise there certainly
was on the side wall, as if someone were
cutting the ice.
Don't you hear it?" repeated Johnson.
Altamont.
''Is it the bears?" asked Bell.
"Most assuredly."
"well. they have changed their tactics
said old Johnson, land given up the idea
of suffocating u.s.
They are going to attack u.s." said Bell
eve shall have a hand-to-hand strug-
gle, that's ALL said Hatteras.
with knife and Ratchet, then" return
ed the American. 1.-The guns would be
useless here"
The noise increased. '"They are hardly
six feet off now" said the boatswain.
Right, Johnson replied Altamont;
''be ready for them"
Seizing a Ratchet, he placed himself in
lighting attitude, planting his right foot
firmly forward and throwing himself
back.
Hatteras and the others followed his
example, and Johnson took care to load
a gun in case of necessity.
Every minute the sound came nearer.
till at last only a thin coating separated
them from their assailants.
Presently this gave way with loud
crack and a huge dark mass rolled over
into the room.
Altomont had already swung his hatch
ct to strike, when he was arrested by
a well-known voice, exclairning:
"For heavens sake, stop!'
THE doctorl the doctor!' cried john
son.
And the doctor 1t actually was who
had tumbled in AMONG them in such I'M
dignified fashion.
How de We do good friends!' he said
picking himself up.
His companions stood stupefied for a
moment, but Joy soon loosened their
tongues, and each rushed eagerly for
ward to welcome his old comrade. Hat
teras was fairly overcome with emotion,
and Rugged him like a child.
But how did you know we had been