The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1909-09-25
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-ss~BY JULES vERNE.E xSS,cvsgz

fresh ones It will be evident that
they are after US"
The three hunters set 10 work
then and Scrapcd the snow over tlil
all the footprints were ohiiterated
for a considerable distance.
Siege of Fort.
Next morning at early dawn Hat
teraa aud his companions. well
armed. went out to reconnolter the
state OF the snow. They found the
same Identical footmarka. but some
what nearer Evidently the enemy
was bent ON the seige OF Fort
Providence.
hut where can they be- said
Bell
Behind the icehergs watching
US. replied the doctor. Don't let
us expose ourselves imprndently.
What about going hunting.
them" asked Altamont.
We must put II off for day or
two. ! think. and rub out the marks
again. and see n they are hers TO.
morrow"
The doctors advice Was followed
and they iutreuched themselves IN
the fort The lighthouse was taken
down a. 4 was not Of actual use
meantime, and might help 20 az,
tract the bears Each took n ia
turn 10 keep watch on the upper
plateau.
The day passed without sign OF
the enemys existence. aud the next
morning. when they hurried out 10
examine the snow. they found II
wholly untouched
Capital" exclaimed Aliamont
The bears arc put off the scent
they have no perseverance,. aud
have grown tired waiting for as
They are OF. and good radiance
Nos let M start for 4 days hunt
Ing"
sottly. softly" said the doctor
I am not 40 sure they have gone
I think we had better wait one day
more. II il evident the bears have
not been here last night. AZ least.
on this side. bat still"
Enemy Not Seen.
Well. let as go round the pla
tean and aee how thiSgs stand.
said the impatient Altamont.
~All right Aaid Ciawbunuy
Come along
Away they went, but no trace oi
the enemy was discovered for two
miles
Nov. then. cant We go hunt
Ing p said Altamont.
Wait an tomorrow" urged the
doctor again
Tho American vas unwilling "a
delay. but yielded AZ last. and r..
turned % the fort.
AZ on the preceding night, each
man took his hours watch on the
upper plateau When II came 20
Altamout'a turn. aud he had gmss
out to relieve He'll. Hastsraa called
his old companions round him The
doctor ieft hts desk and Johnson
his cooking. and FASTENED to their
captains side
Aiy friends. he said. let ns take
advantage 81 the Americans alb.
seuce 20 talk business. There are
things which cannot coacern him,
and Wish whioh ! do not choose
him 10 mssidle
johnson and Ciawbouny looked
al each other. wondering What the
captain was driving At
II wish, he continued. TO talk
With YOU about our plans for the
future
IAN right. talk away. while we
are alone. said the doctor.
In a month. or slx weeks ~
the outside. sc can leave bere.
Have you thought OF what Ne had
better do this summer
Have you. captain ? asked
johnson
Have : Not an hour Of my
life passes without revolving In
my mlnd one cherished purpose.
suppose not a man among you In
tends 20 retrace hia stepaT
No one replied. and Hatteras
vent on to say.
Push On 10 Pole.
For my own part. even n
must KO alone. I viii push on 70
the North Pole. Never were men
SO near Il before. for we are not
more than $50 miles distant At
most. and I will net lose such an
opportunity without making every
attempt to reach r. Even though
n be- impossible. What are your
.sg4s..ss I1esor7