Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-07-23

AT last, though painting ana out OF
breath, the three men reached Johnson
safely. and slid down the rock with
him into the snow house. The bears
stopped short on the upper plateau.
and Hatteras and his companions lost
no time in barring and barricading
them out.
Here we are at lastl" exclaimed
Hatteras. I'VE can defend ourselves
better now. 1t is five against five"
'Four" said Johnson. in a fright
ened voice
"How?"
THE doctorl" replied Johnson.
pointing to the empty sitting room.
We'll, 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.
He opened the door. but soon shut
it, narrowly escaping a bears hug.
They are therel" he exclaimed
"All2" 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
but the low. deep growl of Duke
They were tesieged.
All were worried about the good
doctor.
I'VE must get rid Of the bears before
he comes" said Hatteras
But how" 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'll" 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
VIRUS VI an HOuTt anu ln6T6 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 1t into the stove, while he
made an opening in the snow wall, or
rather. partial opening, for he left q
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
3 and we shall be able easily to fir,
across it without letting them snatch
' away our guns"
Hatteras withdrew the poker, ant
plunged 1t in the wall. The meltinl
snow made loud. kissing noise, ant
the two bears ran and made a snatch
at the glowing bar; but they fell bacl
with a terrible howl. and at the sam
moment four shots resounded, on
4 after the other.
"Hitl" exclaimed Altamont
Z "Hitl" echoed Bell.
a Let us repeat It," said Hatteras
carefully stopping up the openin
= meantime.
The poker was again thrust into tn
fire, and in a few minutes was read
for Hatteras to recommence opera
lions.
A Altamont and Bell reloaded thei
N guns, and took their places; but thi
time the poker would not pass-througl
"Confound the beastsl" exclaime
Il the American.
Whats the matter?" asked johnson
whats the matter? Why, they ar
- piling up block after block, intendin
q to bury us alivel"
'Impossible!"
- Look for yourself; the poker can
"A get through"
II was worse than alarming. TIL
:, bears meant to stine their prey. The
- were heaping up huge masses. whic
- would make escape impossible
Two hours passed. The air gre
close. Every opening was hermetica
ly sealed. The stoves would hard
l. draw and II was evident would soc
l. go out altogether for want OF oxyge
IN Hatteras was the first to see the
IN fresh danger, and he made no atteml
to hide 1t from his companions.
~ "1f that is the case" said Altamon
" I'VE must get out at all risks
YES" replied Hatteras; but '
must wait till night. We will NAL
L a hole in the room. and let in son
Is air, and then one OF US can FIRE out
II on the bears"
in TT is the only thing we can do.
ed suppose said Altamont
nd Night drew on, and the lamp in q
alb sitting room began to burn dim
want OF oxygen
et At o'clock the nnal arrangement
were completed. and all that remain
re, to do was to make an opening In 4
D. roof.
sir They had been working away al II
f. for some minutes, when Johnson. VI
sir had been keeping watch In the sleepi