claws, and heard his chum utter a piercing scream as the wicked
claws touched the flesh.

It seemed to Tommy that the figure of his chum, now lying prostrate on
the floor of the cavern with the head extending outward, was being drawn
away from him by the claw which still clung to the shoulder.

He raised his automatic to fire and pushed his searchlight forward. The
bear's eyes closed for an instant under the strong finger of light, and
the bullet caught him, exactly in the center of the forehead.

He dropped with a savage growl, scrambled, to his feet again and dashed
toward Tommy, who fired shot after shot at the advancing animal, but
apparently without avail. In a moment all three bears, doubtless excited
by the smell of blood, sprang before the entrance to the little cave
where Tommy stood. For the moment the animals paid no attention to
Sandy, still, lying prostrate on the floor, blood oozing from the
wounded shoulder. Tommy fired shot alter shot as the bears came on.

For the first time in his life Tommy realized that the next moment might
be his last. He saw Sandy lying bleeding on the floor. He saw three
savage, pain-maddened animals rushing upon him and worked the trigger of
his automatic until the clip was spent. Then he hurled the useless
weapon at the nearest animal and seizing Sandy by the feet, dragged him
farther into the cavern.

"I guess it's all off now," he mused as the bears stood hesitating and
apparently ready for a spring. "I wish we'd left a note for Will."

He heard the clatter of sharp claws on the rocky floor, saw the pig-like
eyes of the animals shining red under the light, heard their spasmodic
breathing, and was about to make a desperate rush forward when the outer
cavern was flooded with a racing light which grew and grew as Tommy
looked. Then he heard the sound of feet.

Next came a volley of shots, followed by the shouts of men and the call
of a voice that he knew.

"Tommy!" the voice cried.

The boy did not answer instantly, for his eyes were fixed upon the
squirming figures of the bears. They had fallen under the shots and were
weaving about the floor, snarling and snapping at each other and at
themselves in their blind rage.

Several more shots came, and then the animals lay still.

"Tommy!" came the voice again.

"That's Will!" said Sandy faintly.

"Cripes! Are you alive?" demanded Tommy.

"I wouldn't be talking if I was dead, would I?" asked Sandy, speaking in
a ver