Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/234

218 some dry leaves from the bottom of the outer hole. These they lit, and used the sticks for torches. They saw at once that the cave was really a bears' den, for the bones of numerous animals lay scattered over the uneven flooring. But no bears were in sight, and this made them bolder and more willing to inspect their surroundings.

"I believe that bear ran away," said Snap, at last. "For all we know, we'll never see him again."

"Well, I want to see him, but not at too close range," answered the doctor's son.

They soon discovered that the cave was very irregular in shape, running around under the mountain in something of the form of a double letter S. In some places the roof was far overhead while in others it came down in sharp rocks that they could readily touch with their hands.

"A fellow could camp out here, if he wanted to," said Snap, as he gazed around in curiosity.

"Providing the bears did not disturb him," answered Giant. "By the way, what are you going to do about that bear we shot?"

"Oh, we'll go after him later on," answered the doctor's son.

"Perhaps he'll get away."

"I think we can trail him by his blood," said