Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1910-03-31

---NO ~-4G nAON mouse me OGElEe
stopped short on the upper plateau.
and HRtteras and his companions lost
no time In barring and barricading
them out
Here we are A. last!- exclaimed
Hatteras, we can defend ourselves
better now. Il is FIVE against fve-
Four said Johnson. in q fright
ened voice
How
The doctor!- replied johnson.
pointing 10 the empty sitting room
Well ne is In Isle Johnson
"A bad job for him said Bell
But we can't leave him 10 his fate,
in this fashion, said Alrzmont
No, let US be OF 10 him al once
replied HstteraS
he opened the door, but soon shut
IL narrowly escaping 6 bears hug.
They are therei- he exclaimed
-An?~ asked Bell
The whole pack
Atamont rushed TO the windows.
and began TO I'll up the deep embra-
sure with blocks OF ice, which he broke
on 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 Lesieged
AL were worried about the GOOD
doctor.
We must get rid o. the bea-s before
he comes said HRtteraA
But how" asked Bell
II 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 10 try e
portfolio through which ne might fire
on his assailants- He scooped out a
hole in the wall. but his gun was hard
iy pushed through when It was seized
with irresistible force and wrested
from his grasp before he could even
fire
"Confound IT." he exclaimed. we're
no match for them
he hastened TO stop UP the breach
as fast as possible.
This state Of things had lasted up
wards OF an hour. and there seemed
no prospect OF e termination.
The question OF sortie began now
10 be seriously discussed. There was
little chance OF success, as the bears
could not be attacked separately, but
Hatteras and his companions had
grovn impatient Also they vere
ashamed Of being kept in prison by
beasts
He took Johnson's furnace poker and
thrust it into the stove, while ne
made an opening in the snow wall. or.
rather, partial opening, for he left a
thin sheet OF ice on the outer side.
AS soon as the poker was red hot he
said 10 his comrades, who stood eager
iy watching him, wondering.
This red not bar will keep Off the
bears when they Try to get hold OF II
and we shall be able easily to fire
across 1t without letting them snatch
away our guns
Hatteras withdrew the poker and
plunged II in the wall The melting
snow made q loud. kissing noise. and
the two bears ran and made q snatch
at the glowing bar; but they fell back
with terrible howl. and at the same
moment four shots resounded. one
after the other.
Hit" exclaimed Altamont
Hit" echoed Bell
Let US repeat It, said Hatteras
carefully stopping up the opening
meantime
The poker was again thrust into the
fire, and in few minutes was ready
for Hstteras to recommence onera-
iions-
Altamont and Bell reloaded thsi,
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
piiing up block after block, intending
10 bury us alive,-
'Tmpossible,-
Look for yourself; the poker can.
get through
Il was worse than alarming. The
bears meant to stihe their prey. They
were heaping UP huge masses, which
would make escape impossible.
Two hours passed The air grew
close Every opening was hermeticsI-
iy sealed The stoves would hardly
draw. and II was evident would soon
go out altogether for want OF oxygen
Hatteras Was the first TO see their
fresh danger. and he made no attempt
to hide II from his companions.
II that is the case" said Altamont.
we must get out at all risks"
Yes" replied Hatteras; but we
must wait till night We win make
a hole in the room. and let In some
air, and then one Of US can fire out Of
II on the bears
1t is the only thing we can do.
suppose said Aitamont-
Night drew on. and the lamp IN the
sitting room began to burn dim fo-
want OF oxygen
At o'clock the fnai srrangemeots
were completed. and all that remained
to do was 10 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 nj
once
Nothing exactly" said the old SAIL
or. "end yet"
Come out with ftIs exclairnsd At..