Part 13 (1/2)

”Well, here goes, then!” cried Sandy

Without waiting for his chu around the corner or the wall, his electric advanced, his automatic ready for instant use As he turned the corner one foot caught on a loose rock and he half fell to the ground As he did so, Tommy saw a hairy paw shoot out with vicious force and brush and scrape across the boy's shoulder

To under the clutch of the great claws, and heard his chu scream as the wicked claws touched the flesh

It see prostrate on the floor of the cavern with the head extending outward, was being draay fro to the shoulder

He raised his autoht forward The bear's eyes closed for an instant under the strong finger of light, and the bullet caught him, exactly in the center of the forehead

He dropped with a savage growl, scraain and dashed toward To animal, but apparently without avail In a moment all three bears, doubtless excited by the s before the entrance to the little cave where Tommy stood For theprostrate on the floor, blood oozing from the wounded shoulder Tommy fired shot alter shot as the bears came on

For the first tiht be his last He saw Sandy lying bleeding on the floor He saw three savage, pain-er of his automatic until the clip was spent Then he hurled the useless weapon at the nearest anied hiuess it's all off now,” heand apparently ready for a spring ”I e'd left a note for Will”

He heard the clatter of sharp claws on the rocky floor, saw the pig-like eyes of the aniht, heard their spas, and was about to make a desperate rush forhen the outer cavern was flooded with a racing light which grew and grew as Tommy looked Then he heard the sound of feet

Next came a volley of shots, followed by the shouts of men and the call of a voice that he knew

”Tommy!” the voice cried

The boy did not answer instantly, for his eyes were fixed upon the squirures of the bears They had fallen under the shots and eaving about the floor, snarling and snapping at each other and at thee

Several more shots came, and then the aniain

”That's Will!” said Sandy faintly

”Cripes! Are you alive?” de if I was dead, would I?” asked Sandy, speaking in a very faint tone of voice

”Sandy!” caain

”hello!” called To!” Sandy answered

The next e swept into the cavern, revealing the true condition of affairs

The two boys sprang to Sandy's side and raised hi position Sandy s

”Where is he hurt?” asked Will, facing To shoulder