Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/235

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THE CAVES IN THE MOUNTAIN
219

Snap. "He was certainly wounded quite a bit. I think he is dead."

They walked on through the big cave, finally reaching the other end. Here they saw a small hole, through which the rain was falling.

"That's the way the bear got out," cried Whopper.

"Just listen to the rain!" exclaimed Shep. "I am glad we are under cover."

It was now raining furiously, while ever and anon they could see a flash of lightning and hear the crack of thunder. All were glad they were not on the mountainside.

"It's dangerous to be in the forest during such lightning," said the doctor's son. "We might be struck, or caught by some falling tree."

"We might as well remain in the cave until the storm lets up," said Snap.

Around the small hole they found some more leaves and tree limbs, and after several failures—for the leaves were wet—they succeeded in building a small campfire. Around this they huddled and ate their lunch, in the meantime keeping on the alert for the possible appearance of the bear or of any other wild beast.

The rain continued to come down as heavily as ever after they had finished their brief meal, and