Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/230

214 "Oh, I am sure we hit him," said Whopper. "Why, I aimed right for his head."

"I know we hit him, but that isn't saying he is killed," said Shep. "Although by the way he rolled over I guess he was pretty badly wounded."

Having reloaded, they began to climb down the mountainside in the direction the bear had disappeared. They had gone less than two rods when Shep, who was in advance, let up a yell:

"Look out for the hole!"

"Where?" asked the others, but before the doctor's son could reply the others saw him sinking down. Then they felt themselves going down also.

"It must be the bears' den!" gasped Giant.

"If it is, we had better beware of the other bear," came from Whopper.

Down and down slid the four young hunters, until they landed on a pile of tree limbs and dead leaves. They had gone down in a hole a dozen feet in diameter and fifteen or more feet deep. This hole opened into a sort of cave and from the cave came a growl that fairly made their hair raise on end.

"It's the bears' den sure!" cried Whopper.

"Yes, and I hear the second bear!" gasped