“I’ve heard Pierre say there were black and brown bears,” replied Thede.  “You know I haven’t been in here only a few days.”

“I wonder if they’ll bite.”

“Stick your arm in there and find out,” Thede answered.

“I don’t believe they’ll jump on us if we keep our light going,” George argued.  “Anyway,” he went on, “we’ve got to get somewhere out of this wind and snow.  If we don’t, we’ll freeze to death!”

Very slowly and cautiously the boys made their way into the cavern.  It was a small place, not more than six feet in width and twice that in depth, and the electric revealed about all there was inside.

Two black huddles of fur showed under the finger of light, and as the boys crept on, George with his automatic ready for use, two pair of surly, pig-like eyes became visible.

The animals stirred restlessly as the boys advanced and finally began edging toward one side of the cave, as if seeking a way out.

“Get out of the entrance,” advised George as soon as both animals were on their feet, “and we’ll give them a chance to escape.”

This plan was followed, and, much to the delight of the youngsters, the animals sprang outside and for a moment disappeared in the darkness.

“It’s a shame to turn the poor creatures out in this storm!” George declared.  “Perhaps they were just entering upon their long winter’s sleep.”

“We didn’t order them out!” grinned Thede.  “It amounts to the same thing,” George responded.  “They’ve gone away, and are likely to freeze to death.”

“If you think they’ve gone away,” Thede replied, “just turn your light toward the entrance.  They’re not going to give up their warm nest without a scrap, and I can’t say that I blame them for it.”

It was considerably warmer in the cave and, out of the tempest, the boys were quite comfortable in their thick clothing.  They huddled together at the far end of the cavern, and George kept the light turned, on the two bears, who were now growling savagely.

“Why don’t you shoot?” asked Thede.

“What’s the use of shooting until I have to?” demanded George.  “They can come in here if they want to, if they’ll only behave themselves.”

“If they try to come in here,” declared Thede, “I’ll go up in the air about nine hundred feet.”

Although they did not attempt to re-enter the cavern, the bears kept close to the entrance.  It was clear that only the light of the electric kept them from attacking the boys.

“They’ll stay right there till morning,” exclaimed Thede, “and we’ll have to shoot them anyway before we can get out.  They are kicking themselves now,” he continued with a grin, “because they let us in here without a battle.  I wish we understood bear talk so that we could learn what they’re saying to each other.”

“Nothing very complimentary to us,” George declared.

As the night advanced it grew colder and the boys moved about in quest of a more sheltered corner.  They could still hear the bears moving about outside, but paid no attention to them.