"Don't you hear it?" repeated Johnson.
"Hear it? Yes, plain enough," replied Altamont.
"Is it the bears?" asked Bell.
"Most assuredly."
"Well; they have changed their tactics," said old Johnson, "and given up the idea of suffocating us."
"Or may be they suppose we are suffocated by now," suggested the American, getting furious at his invisible enemies.
"They are going to attack us," said Bell.
"Well, what of it?" returned Hatteras.
"We shall have a hand-to-hand struggle, that's all."
"And so much the better," added Altamont; "that's far more to my taste; I have had enough of invisible foes-let me see my antagonist, and then I can fight him."