Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-09-01

mont
Il mean to blow up the bears en-
masse with 100 pounds of powder"
But where Is the POWDER" exclaim-
cd his friends.
Tn the magazine. This passage l
dug will lead to it. 1 made it pur-
posely."
And where is tho mine to ber' in
CURED Altamont.
AT tho farthest point from the
house and stores"
And how will you manage to entice
the bears there. all to one spot7"
TN 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
tho morning-the gallery was entirely
open.
With tho first streak of day the doc
tor reconnoitered the position of tho
enemy. The patient animals were still
occupying their old position. proving
up and down and growing.
Fastening away to the mine, he had
strong stake fixed firmly on tho
granite foundation. on the top of which
the dead fox was fastened. A rope
was attached to tho lower part Of tho
stake. long enough to reach the pow
der stores.
This Is tho bait. he said. pointing
to tho dead fox. and here IL tho mine,"
he added, rolling In 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. Tho
bears are 80 famished with their LONG
Tasting 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 Capital" shouted John
son, who had been listening with in
tense interest.
Hatteras said nothing, for he had
such absolute confidence in his friend
that ne wanted no further explanation.
Sut 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 tho
mine at tho right momentf"
1 don't need to reckon at all; that's
= dinicultly easily got over"
They you have a match a hundred
feet long7"
NO"
You are simply going to lay a 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 Godl
I'VE have an electric battery" h.
continued. "and lines long enough to
serve our purpose? We can fire our
mine whenever we please, In an in
slant, and without the slightest dan
ger"
Hurrahl" exclaimed Johnson.
Hurrahi" echoed the others. with
out needing whether the enemy heard
them or not.
~no uoctor ioea 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
hold the bait.
Now" said Clawbonny to his COM
panions. load your guns, in case our
assailants are not killed. Stand be-
side Johnson. and tho moment tho ex-
plosion In over rush out"
All right" said Altamont
we have done all we can to help
ourselves. May heaven help usi"
Hatteras, Altamont and Bell repair
cd to the powder magazine, while the
Doctor remained alone beside tho pile-
Soon he heard Johnson's voice In
tho distance calling out "Readyi-
"All right" was tho reply.
Johnson pulled the rope that brought
the body of the fox on top the Ice.
The next instant the bears had eager
iy rushed to seize the booty.
'sFirel" called out johnson. ana ~
ence tho electric spark was sent along
the lines right into tho key of powder.
A formidable explosion ensued: the
house WAS shaken as II by an earth
quake, and the walls cracked asunder
Hatteras, Altamont and Bell hurr,ad
out with the guns. But four of the
bears lay dead, and the fifth. hair
roasted, though alive, was scambertne
away in terror as fast as his leo.
could carry him.
'Hurrahl" Three cheers for Claw
honny!" they shouted, and overwhe,n-
cd the doctor with plaudits and thanks
Next morning there was singular
rise In the temperature. the thermom-