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 eagerly watching him, wondering what he was going to do:
"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."
"A good idea," said Bell, posting himself beside Altamont.
Hatteras withdrew the poker, and instantly plunged it in the wall. The melting snow made a loud hissing noise, and two bears ran and made a snatch at the glowing bar; but they fell back with a terrible howl, and at the same moment four shots resounded, one after the other.
"Hit!" exclaimed Altamont.
"Hit!" echoed Bell.
"Let us repeat the dose," said Hatteras, carefully stopping up the opening meantime.
The poker was again thrust into the fire, and in a few minutes was ready for Hatteras to recommence operations.
Altamont and Bell reloaded their guns, and took their places; but this time the poker would not pass through.
"Confound the beasts!" exclaimed the impetuous American.
"What's the matter?" asked Johnson.
"What's the matter? Why, those plaguey animals are piling up block after block, intending to bury us alive!"
"Impossible!"
"Look for yourself; the poker can't get through. I declare it is getting absurd now."
It was worse than absurd, it was alarming. Things grew worse. It was evident that the bears meant to stifle their prey, for the sagacious animals were heaping up huge masses, which would make escape impossible.
"It is too bad," said old Johnson, with a mortified look. "One might put up with men, but bears!"
Two hours elapsed without bringing any relief to the prisoners; to go out was impossible, and the thick walls excluded all sound. Altamont walked impatiently up and down, full of exasperation and excitement at finding himself worsted for once. Hatteras could think of nothing but
