y came within a few feet and were now in the gloom,
waiting for another flash to light up the way, Alec said: "Don't be
frightened at what you will see. It is only old Napoleon, and he is as
frightened as he can be, and seems glad to have me with him."

The sight that met them as the next vivid flash blazed out was indeed
enough to try older and stronger nerves, for there was Alec with his
back against the dry rock and one of his arms around the neck of an
enormous bear.

"Don't be alarmed," shouted Alec. "It is old Napoleon, and he is more
frightened by the cyclone than any of us."

"How do you know it is Napoleon?" asked Winnie, who was noted for her
extreme cautiousness.

"Know him? Why, of course I know him, and he was as pleased as an
affectionate dog to see me. And see, here are the two brass rings I put
in his little round ears last winter at the fort, some time before
Christmas."

This was convincing proof that their comrade was a tame, harmless bear,
and so without any more alarm they all crowded into what proved to be a
dry and safe retreat from the fearful storm that still raged outside.

"Bears know a thing or two," said Alec, "and so old Nap in selecting
this spot was quite confident that it could stand a cyclone."

Meantime the storm continued to rage with awful fury, but sheltered by
the rocks they were safe from its ravages. All they could do was to
patiently wait until its fury was spent. So they sang some sweet hymns,
and the girls gave some reminiscences of previous storms and adventures.

As soon as the storm began to abate Rachel said, "I think, Frank, it is
time you began to use your gun."

"What, would you have him shoot this affectionate old bear?" asked Alec.

A merry laugh burst from the lips of both of the girls, and Winnie asked
him if he had any idea of the reason why Rachel so urged Frank to save
his gun and ammunition, even if everything else should be lost.

"Not the slightest idea," was his answer.

"Well," replied Rachel, "as the fury of the storm is about spent, it is
time to be beginning to explain the mystery. And so now suppose you
take the gun and go out on the beach and fire three times in quick
succession."

Frank and Alec at once comprehended the riddle, and laughed at their own
stupidity. The firing of the gun would bring their rescuers speedily to
them.

Unfortunately for these young people, their retreat was too distant from
Sagasta-weekee for the rep