Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/233

Rh "Snap, be careful," warned Shep.

"Let us get out of this hole and then throw fire-brands into the cave—like we did when we were after the wildcats," suggested Giant.

"It's going to be no easy matter getting out of this hole," answered the doctor's son.

"Well, the bears must get out."

"Maybe not—that cave may have a back entrance."

Snap walked slowly to the very mouth of the cave and peered inside. Nothing was to be seen. He picked up a stone and threw it inside. Not a sound but the falling of the stone followed.

"I believe the bear has gone," he announced. "I can't hear a thing."

"He may be playing a trick on you, Snap," said Giant.

"No, I think he has run away, by some back door, as you might call it."

One after another the young hunters approached the mouth of the cave timidly and peered inside. As their eyes became accustomed to the gloom they made out that the cave was of good size. The other end was lost in the shadows.

It had now begun to rain steadily, and to keep from getting soaked they stepped into the mouth of the cave, taking with them several dry sticks and