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"You're right," said the Doctor, "and, what's more, it is certain that they have been here last night."
"And other nights before that," replied Altamont.
"I don't think so," rejoined Clawbonny. "It is more likely that they waited till the cessation of the tempest, and were on their way down to the bay, intending to catch seals, when they scented us."
"Well, we can easily find out if they come tonight," said Altamont.
"How?"
"By effacing all the marks in a given place, and if to-morrow, we find fresh ones, it will be evident that Fort Providence is the goal for which the bears are bound."
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"Very good, at any rate we shall know, then, what we have to expect."
The three hunters set to work, and scraped the snow over till all the footprints were obliterated for a considerable distance.