The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-02-25

HccleSl HOTSc, anu one HlOuSloA WdS
so near that Hatteras had to brandish
his knife vigorously. to ward off 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 barricading
them out.
Here we are at last!" exclaimed
Hatteras, I'VE can defend ourselves
better now. 1t is five against five"
"Four!" said Johnson, in a fright
ened voice.
How"
1.-THE doctor!" 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
1t, narrowly escaping a bears hug.
They are there!" he exclaimed.
"An?" 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 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," 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 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 it 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 it.
and we shall be able easily to fire
across it without letting them snatch
away our guns"
Hatteras withdrew the poker, and
plunged it in the wall. The melting
snow made loud, kissing noise. and
the two bears ran and made a snatch
at the glowing bar; but they fell back
with a terrible howl, and at the same
four shots resounded. one
after the other.
Hit" exclaimed Altamont.
Hit" echoed Bell
Let us repeat it," said Hatteras
carefully stopping up the opening
The poker was again thrust into the
fire, and in few minutes was ready
for Hatteras to recommence opera.
tons.
Altamont and Bell reloaded their
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
Whats the matter? Why, they are
piling up block after block, intending
to bury us alive!"
Impossible!"
Look for yourself: the poker can't
get tnEOuSu.
1t was worse than alarming. The
bears meant to .stif1e their prey, They
were heaping up huge masses. which
would make escape impossible.
Two hours passed. The air grew
close. Every opening was hermetical-
~ sealed. The stoves would hardly
draw. and it 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 it 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 will make
hole in the room. and let in some
air, and then one of us can fire out Of
It on the BEARS"
1T is the only thing we can do. I
suppose" said Altamont.
Night drew on, and the lamp in the
sitting room began to burn dim for
want OF oxygen.
At o'clock the final arrangements