The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-09-24

those, and see here, again, tina
paw belongs to a much smalle
bear. / tell you, IL you look care
fully, you will see the marks o.
all five different bears distinctly.
you're right" said Bell, aftel
a close inspection.
IF that's the case, them" sale
the doctor, 1--WE must be careful
for these animals are starving
after the severe winter, and they
might be extremely dangerous tt
meet"
"You think they have discov'
cred our presence here?"
'No doubt of 1t, otherwise why
should these footprints be in Q
circle round our fort?" said Bell
You're right" said the doctor
land, what more, it is certain that
they have been here last night.
"And other nights before that, y
replied Altamont.
We'll, we can easily find out
If they come tonight" said Alta
mont.
How"
by effacing all the marks in
a given place. Tomorrow If we
find fresh ones, it will be evident
that they are after u.s."
The three hunters set to work
then, and scraped the snow over
till all the footprints we're oblit-
Grated for a considerable distance
Next morning at early dawn,
Hatteras and his companions, well
armed, went out to reconnoiter
the state of the snow. They found
the same identical footmarks, but
somewhat nearer. Evidently the
enemy was bent on the siege OF
Fort Providence.
But where can they be?" said
Bell.
Behind the icebergs watching
u.s." replied the doctor. Don't
let us expose ourselves imprudent-
ly."
What about going hunting,
them" asked Altamont.
"We must put it off for a day
or two, l think, and rub out the
marks again, and see If they are
here tomorrow"
The doctors advice was follow
ed, and they intrenched them
selves in the fort. The light
house was taken down, as it was
not of actual use meantime, and
might help to attract the bears.
Each took it in turn to keep watch
on the upper plateau.
The day passed without a sign
of the enemy's existence, and the
next morning, when they hurried
out to examine the snow, judge
they found it wholly untouched
Capital" exclaimed Altamont
"The bears are put off the scent
they have no perseverance, and
have grown tired waiting for us
They are off, and good radiance
Now let us start for a days hunt.
ing"
SOFTLY, softly" said the doc
tor; Il am not so sure they have
gone. l think we had better wal
one day more. 1t is evident The
bears have not been here las
night, at least, on this side; blu
still"-
We'll, let us go round the pla
teau, and see how things stand,
said the impatient Altamont.
"All right" said Clawbonny
Come along"
Away they went, but no trace o
the enemy was discoverable TO
two miles.
Nov, then, can't we go hunt
ing?" said Altamont.
wait till tomorrow" urged tn
doctor again.
The American was unwilling t
delay, but yielded at last, and re
turned to the fort.
AS on the preceding night, eac
man took his hours watch on tn
upper plateau. When it came t
Altamont's turn, and he had gon
out to relieve Bell, Hatteras Gale
his old companions round him
The doctor left his desk and John
son his cooking, and fastened t
|ltheir captains side.
my friends" he said, "let u
take advantage of the American
absence to talk business. Their
are things which cannot concer
him, and with which / do no
choose him to meddle."
II Johnson and Clawbonny locke