"Where?" asked the others, but before the doctor's son could reply the others saw him sinking down. Then they felt themselves going down also.
"It must be the bears' den!" gasped Giant.
"If it is, we had better beware of the other bear," came from
Whopper.
Down and down slid the four young hunters, until they landed on a pile of tree limbs and dead leaves. They had gone down in a hole a dozen feet in diameter and fifteen or more feet deep. This hole opened into a sort of cave and from the cave came a growl that fairly made their hair raise on end.
"It's the bears' den sure!" cried Whopper.
"Yes, and I hear the second bear!" gasped Shep. "Get ready to shoot him as soon as he appears!"
All scrambled to their feet and brought around their weapons, ready for use. They looked to ward the cave-like opening and waited anxiously. Would the second bear leap out upon them and give them battle?
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE CAVES IN THE MOUNTAIN
One, two, three minutes passed, and still the young hunters stood with their firearms ready for use. But no bear showed itself. The silence was so intense it was positively painful.