Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-04-08

to preserve the temperature at so de-
grees above zero.
The increase of cold betokened
the coming end of the stormy wealth
er, and the doctor hailed it gladly as
the harbinger of his favorite hunting
and exploring expeditions.
He rose early next morning, and
with the others climbed up to the top
of a hill nearby. Soon he found nu-
merous traces of animals on all sides,
and this within a circle of two miles
Of Fort Providence.
After gazing attentively as these
traces for some minutes, the hunters
looked at each other silently, and then
the doctor exclaimed:
well, these are plain enough, ]
Think"
"Ay. only too plain" added Bell,
bears have been here!"
"First-rate camel" said Altamont
There's only one fault about it."
What is that?" asked Bell.
TOO much of it."
What do you mean?"
Il mean this-there are distinct
lIdCcS VI HNc DcdIo, anu hNC DcdIb dEc
rather too much for five men,"
Are you sure?" said Clawbonny.
Look and see for yourself. Here
is one footprint. and there is another
quite different. These claws are far
wider apart than those, and see here,
| again, that paw belongs to a much
smaller bear. I tell you, II you look
carefully, you viii sec the marks Of ell
Ave different bears distinctly"
You're right" said Bell, after a
close inspection.
IF that's the case. then," said the
| doctor. I'VE must be careful, for these
| animals are starving after the severe
winter, and they might be extremely
dangerous to meet"
You think they have discovered our
presence here?"
mo doubt of II, otherwise why
should these footprints be in a circle
round our fort?" said Bell.
You're right" said the doctor. "and,
what's more, 1t is certain that they
have been here last night"
And other nights before that" re-
| piled Altamont.
well, we can easily find out If they
come tonight" said Altamont.
"How?'
| by effacing all the marks in a given
| place. Tomorrow If we find fresh
ones, it will be evident that they are
after u.s.
The three hunters set to work then
and scraped the snow over till all the
footprints were obliterated for a con-
siderable distance.
| Next morning at early dawn, Hat
| teras and his companions, well armed
went out to reconnoiter the state OF
the snow. They found the same iden-
| teal footmarks, but somewhat nearer
| Evidently the enemy was bent on ths
| siege OF Fort Providence.
But where can they be?" said Bell
Behind the icebergs watching us,
| replied the doctor. Don't let us ex-
| pose ourselves imprudently."
What about going hunting, then p
| asked Altamont.
I'VE must put it off for day or
two, 4 think, and rub out the marks
| again, and see If they are here to-mor-
row."
The doctors advice was followed,
and they intrenched themselves In the
| fort. The lighthouse was taken down,
as 1t was not of actual use meantime
| and might help to attract the bears
Each took 1t In turn to keep watch on
the upper plateau.
The day passed without a sign OF
the enemy existence, and the next
morning, when they hurried out to ex-
anime the snow, they found It wholly
untouched!
"Capital!" exclaimed Altamont. "Ths
bears are put off the scent; they have
no perseverance, and have grown tired
waiting for us. They are off, and a
good riddance. Now let us start for a
days hunting"
Softly. SOFTLY" said the doctor; "a
am not so sure they have gone. think
| we had better wait one day more. II
is evident the bears have not been here
last night, at least, on this side; but
still"
well. let us go round the plateau,
and see how things stand" said the
impatient Altamont.
"All right" said Clawbonny. "Come
along"
Away they went, but no trace Of the
enemy was discoverable for two miles
Now, then, can't we go hunting 2"
said Altamont
wait till tomorrow" urged the
doctor again.
The American was unwilling to de-
lay, but yielded at last. and returned
to the fort.
Ito be continued.)
Cats In the Navy.