a repetition of the sound."

Sure enough, the call came again as the boys huddled over the fire.
It came down with the wind and seemed to be rapidly drawing nearer.

"That sounds to me like a boy's voice," Sandy suggested.

"Sounds more like a half-breed to me!" Tommy answered.

"He's stopped coming on, anyway." Sandy exclaimed in a moment.

"Perhaps he's tumbled down in the snow!" Tommy argued.

"In that case, we'd better be getting out where he is," said Sandy.

The boys both left the fire and darted out into the darkness,
listening for the call but hearing only the roaring of the wind.

CHAPTER VI

THE CAVE OP THE TWO BEARS

"Bears?" exclaimed George, as the lads listened in front of the
cave, "do you think there are polar bears up here? I think it's
cold enough for the big white variety."

"Put your head inside the cave," Thede suggested, "and you won't be
wondering whether there are any bears here."

George did as requested, and soon the warm animal odor noticeable
in the various zoos of the country attacked his nostrils.

"What kind of bears are they?" he asked.

"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