Once again Frank struck a match, but it flickered and went out. He tried a second time, but without success.
Looking back, seeing that the cave was straight, they moved on farther, not knowing why, for if they met anything they would not be able to carry combat against it.
Once more Frank struck a match—this time it flared up and lighted the way ahead of them a few yards.
“Look!” yelled Lanky. A dozen snakes of all sizes were coiled or lying in the path, guarding the entire width of the passage way! The boys gasped as they saw the creatures ready to strike. They turned involuntarily to go back to the opening.
With a grunt a great form heaved up ahead of them—and they saw they were cut off from going out by the way they had come!
CHAPTER XV
ROBBED
The boys gasped, not any more in fright than in surprise. It was a bear that blocked their path.
Frank made a megaphone of his hands, calling to Buster at the opening of the cavern:
“Oh, Buster! Buster! Call back that you can hear!”
Immediately they saw, past the bear, the head of their guard as he poked it into the mouth of the cave and called.