Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-04-15

his eyes,
The three hunters, followed by Duke
were tearing home at full speed, fol-
lowed by the five huge bears! Their
SIX bullets had evidently had no ef-
feet The monsters were close on their
heels.
Hatteras, who brought up the rear,
could only manage to keep off his pur-
suers by fiinging down one article
after another-frst his cap, then his
hatchet, and. finally. his gun. He knew
that the inquisitive bears would stop
and examine every object, shifting all
round it. and this gave him a little
time otherwise he could not have es-
capped. for these animals outstrip the
feetest horse, and one monster was
SO near that Hatteras had to brandish
his knife vigorously, to ward off a tre-
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 lastl" exclaimed
| Hatteras, I'VE can defend ourselves
better now. 1t is five against five"
"Four!" said Johnson, in fright
ened voice.
"How?"
'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.
"All?" 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 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. 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 1t 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 1t into the stove, while he
| made an opening in the snow wall or,
rather a 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,
across It without letting them snatch
away our guns"
Hatteras withdrew the poker, and
plunged 1t 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 terrible howl. and at the same
moment four shots resounded, one
after the other.
"Hit!" exclaimed Altamont
| "ait!" 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 Hatteras to recommence opera
| tions.
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.
| whats the matter?" asked johnson.
whats the matter7 Why, they are
piling up block after block. intending
| to bury us alivel"
'Impossiblel"
Look for yourself; the poker can't
get through"