Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1910-07-22

so near LnaL f1dLlSlaS A~u "
his knife vigorously, to ward of ire
mendous blow from his paw.
At last, though painting and 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 barricad1ng
them out.
Here we are at lastl" exclaimed
Hatteras, I'VE can defend ourselves
better now. 1t is five against five"
'Fourl" said Johnson, in a fright
ened voice.
Howl"
1.-THE doctor!" replied Johnson.
pointing to the empty sitting room.
well, 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
mo, let us be off to him at once"
replied Hatteras.
He opened the door, but soon shut
1t, narrowly escaping bears hug.
"They are there!" he exclaimed.
"All?" asked Bell.
1.-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 besieged.
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 4
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 q
hole in the wall, but his gun was hard
ly pushed through when 1t 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
wards Of an hour, and there 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 a
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 n
and we shall be able easily to fire
across 1t without letting them snatch
away our guns"
Hatteras withdrew the poker and
plunged 1t in the wall. The neltin .
snow made loud, kissing noise, and
the two bears ran and. made a snatch
at the glowing bar; but they fell bac,,
with terrible howl, and at the same
moment four shots resounded ono
after the other.
"Hit!" exclaimed Altamont.
Hit" echoed Bell.
Let us repeat it." said Hatteras
carefully stopping up the openino
meantime.
The poker was again thrust into ~ :
nre' and In few minutes was ready
for Hatteras to recommence opera :
tons.
Altamont and Bell reloaded that,
guns, and took their places. b,,+ All.
time the poker would not pass tbrorot
"Confound the beasts!" excIainoad
the American
What's the matter?" asked johnson
WHAT'S the matter? Why, thew ~
piling up block after block. intendtno
to bury us alive!"
"Impossible!"
Look for yourself; the poker can,
get through" ''An
1t was worse than ALARMING m.
bears meant to stifie their prev. The,
were heaping up huge masses. wbioS
would make escape impossible
Two hours passed. The air .-
close. Every opening was hermatioaI
sealed. The stoves would bardIy
oraW' and it was evident Womb sooT
go out altogether for want Of o~,a,s,,
Hatteras was the first to see tbs,y
tresn danger, and he made No at4e,o~,.
10 nioe 1t from his companions.
II that Is the case" saId AI...
VIC must get out at all risks"
replied Hatteras: ''but -.
must walt till night. We viii r.r.s
mole In the room, and LEI a. So.
ar ana then one of us can Ar -. y
1t on the bears" Ou' Of
IT Is the only thing WA ~
suppose" said Altamont N uO'
Night drew on. and the lamn - A.
sittlns room began to burn din eos
want Of oxygen. uiin Ior
az o'clock the final arran1ar,.,..
were completed, and all that rens
roof. 'penlng In the
They had been working avav :. a.,
.or some minutes, when JobDsor ~
nao been keeping watch In the sIe.n w
room. came in hurriedly,
What's the matter9;.