Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-07-30

CHAPTER vIII.-lContinued.l


but where is the POWDER" exclaim-
ed his friends.
TN the magazine This passage
dug will lead to it made 1t pur-
posely."
And where is the mine to be?" In
CURED Altamont.
AT the farthest point from the
house and stores"
And how will you manage to entice
the bears there, all to one spot?"
I'll look after that. Let us set to
work. We have 100 feet more to add
to our passage tonight, and that is
no easy matter. There are five of US
we can take turns. Bell will begin,
and we will lie down and sleep mean
time"
One by one, all went to work. and In
ten hours-that is to say, about In
the morning-the gallery was entirely
open.
With the first streak of day the doc
tor reconnoitered the position of the
enemy. The patient animals were still
occupying their old position, prowling
up and down and growing.
Fastening away to the mine, he had
strong stake fixed firmly on the
granite foundation, on the top of which
the dead fox was fastened. A rope
was attached to the lower part of the
stake, long enough to reach the pow
der stores.
This is the bait" he said, pointing
to the dead fox. 'and here is the mine."
he added, rolling In a keg of powder
containing about 100 pounds.
And how will you manager" asked
Altamont.
by hauling in this rope we leave
the dead fox exposed to view. The
bears are so famished with their long
fasting that they won't lose much time
In rushing toward their unexpected
meal. Well. just at that very moment
] shall set fire to the mine, and blow
up both the guests and the meal"
Capital Capitall" shouted John
son. who had been listening with in
tense interest.
Hatteras said nothing, for he had
such absolute confidence in his friend
that he wanted no further explanation.
But Altamont must know the why and
wherefore OF everything"
but DOCTOR" he said. "can you
reckon on your match so exactly that
you can be quite sure 1t will fire the
mine at the right moment?"
Il don't need to reckon at all; that's
difficulty easily got over"
They you have a match q hundred
feet long?"
mo"
you are simply going to lay train
OF powder"
"One of us must light the powder"
said Johnson. I'm ready-ready and
willing"
Quite useless to risk your life,
brave fellow" replied the doctor, hold
ing out his hand. "All our lives are
precious and they will be all spared.
thank Cod
I'VE have an electric battery" he
continued, and lines long enough to
serve our purpose7 We can fire our
mine whenever we please, In an in
stant and without the slightest dam
ger"
"Hurrahl" exclaimed Johnson.
"Hurrahl" echoed the others, with
out needing whether the enemy heard
them or not.
The doctors idea was Immediately
carried out. and the lines connected.
BY o'clock everything was ready.
Johnson was stationed in the powder
magazine, in charge of the cord which
held the bait.
Now" said Clawbonny to his COM
panions, load your guns, in case our
assailants are not killed. Stand be-
side Johnson, and the moment the ex-
plosion is over rush out"
'All right" said Altamont.
I'VE have done all we can to help
ourselves. May heaven help usi"
Hatteras. Altamont and Bell repair
ed to the powder magazine, while the
doctor remained alone beside the pile.
Soon he heard Johnson's voice I'm
the distance calling out Ready"
'All right" was the reply.
johnson pulled the rope that brought
the body of the fox on top the ice.
The next instant the bears had eager
ly rushed to seize the booty.
''Firel" called out Johnson, and at
once tho electric spark was sent along
the lines right into the keg of powder.
A formidable explosion ensued; the
house WAS shaken as If by an earth
quake, and the walls cracked asunder
Hatteras. Altamont and Bell hurried
out, with the guns. But four of the
bears lay dead, and the nth. hair
roasted. though alive, was scamberinr
away In terror, as fast as his legs
could carry him.
''Hurrahl" Three cheers for Claw
bonnyl" they shouted. and overwheln-
ed the doctor with plaudits and thanks.
Next morning there was a singular
rise In the temperature. the thermom-
eter going up to 10 degrees above zero.
This comparative heat lasted sew
eral days. In sheltered spots the glass
rose as high as 81 degrees. and symp-
toms of thaw appeared.
The ice began to crack here and
there. and Jets OF salt water were
thrown up. like fountains in an English
park. A few days later the rain fell
in torrents.
For about a fortnight hunting was
the principal occupation. There was
an abundant supply OF fresh meat to
be had. They shot partridges, ptarmi-
gans and snow ortolans. which are de-
licious eating.