im 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.

"I am sure I heard him," said the doctor's son, presently.

"So did I," added Snap. "I think he must be laying for us, thinking
we are following him."

"Excuse me from going into that cave," came from Whopper. "Why,
if a fellow went in there the bear would be sure to have everything
all his own way."

"And you'd come out and still be on the inside," said Snap, with
a short laugh. "Well, I don't know about this," he continued,
drawing a long breath.

Again they waited. Then the leader of the club grew a little bolder
and approached the mouth of the cave cautiously, holding his rifle
in front of him.

"Snap, be careful," warned Shep.

"Let us get out of this hole and then throw fire brands into the
cave---like we did when we were after the wildcats," suggested Giant.

"It's going to be no easy matter getting out of this hole," answered
the doctor's son.

"Well, the bears must get out."

"Maybe not---that cave may have a back entrance."

Snap walked slowly to the very mouth of the cave and peered inside.
Nothing was to be seen. He picked up a stone and threw it inside.
Not a sound but the falling of the stone followed.

"I believe the bear has gone," he announced. "I can't hear a thing."

"He may be playing a trick on you, Snap," said Giant.

"No, I think he has run away, by some back door, as you might
call it."

One after another the youn