Part 31 (1/2)

In all probability, however, theybefore they should set their eyes upon a ray of the sun's light--before they should see that bright disk of the cavern'sit behind them

It was their intention then, first, to take one particular direction, and thoroughly explore that before penetrating into any other When the first should be traversed, either to its terht influence the way, they would then leave it, and set to exploring so theantic prison

Before setting about the execution of their plan, they oncewould not part froed by the voice of Caspar, he would beat about for a certain space--it always ended by his returning to the carcass of the bear

As soon as they becauide the; and then, in real earnest, set about carrying out the design of Karl

Their roped about until they found a large passage that led froallery they resolved to explore first

Lest by any ht not find their way back, one always remained at a certain point; while the other tent ahead--stopping at intervals to blaze their way Of course should the tho acted as pioneersturn, so as not to know the route back, the voice of the third would at once guide them

In this reat slowness You will fancy theythus secured for them But there were many obstacles to prevent a rapid advance Each lateral passage they came to--and there were numbers of these--had to be marked for future exanisable--this operation so a considerable time to effect They had also to ht be the more easily found upon their return Another i over sharp boulders, and getting across clefts that everywhere intercepted their path

Ay, slowly and with great caution were they coht cary, and wanted food and rest--they calculated they had not proceeded above half-a-ht had cheered the hours; but for all that they returned to the resting-place with their hearts still buoyed up with hope To-morrow,--or the morrow after, or still another h confidence that on some morrow they would look once more upon the sun

CHAPTER SIXTY

PRESERVING THE BEAR'S-MEAT

There was one thing, however, about which they were apprehensive, and that was about their larder--how long would it last? The bear was large and fat, they could tell by the ”feel” of him; and if they drew upon the carcass for moderate rations, it would hold out foras it was--still unskinned--it h not so soon as in the open air; for er in a cave,--that is, if it be a very deep one, than it hen exposed to the full light of the sun

This is easily explained The principle of decomposition exists in the atmosphere itself, as is well-known to every one who deals in the herht canisters of preserved meats; and if you can but remove the atetable, it is supposed that it will keep for ever!

In the interior of a cavern, of course there is still an ateable sort, and, most probably, less active in its powers to cause decay Hence it is that within the cave decomposition is slower than without; and, indeed, there are so decomposed, the bodies oftheir proper forms, only shrivelled into sh there ater here and there in the cavern, in all other places it was exceedingly dry They could tell that the air was so, because the rocks felt dry, and in some places there was dust that was perfectly ready to puff up at the touch They had noticed this while in pursuit of the bear Both bear and dog had more than once been found enveloped in a cloud of dust as the hunters came near them with the torches

Indeed, they could tell that the at it in,--it felt dry to the throat

Under the keen apprehension which they had lest the meat should spoil before they could find the entrance of the cave, their ere set to work to find so it Salt they had none, and therefore pickling was out of the question Had they been able to procure the ed without salt by s the ot at as salt Even without either, had they only been in the open air, with the war down upon them, they could have cured that bear-ood for months

Alas! the sun's rays were as inaccessible as either the salt or the fuel

Preserving the , s already noticed the extreme dryness of the atmosphere, it occurred to them that if theup, or spread out upon the rocks, it ht keep for a longer period than if suffered to lie as it was in one great ood one it was At all events, nothing better could be thought of, and after some consideration, they deterhts? Hoas the bear to be skinned without light? Hoas the flesh to be cut up and spread out?

These were questions that did not present the slightest obstacle--our adventurers scarce gave thought to them They had by this time al of the bear, Ossaroo could have perfor this to be possible There was no difficulty about lights; and the shi+karree, having been assisted by the others to place the carcass in a proper attitude, set to ith the keen blade of his knife, and, almost as readily as if a dozen candles had been held by hiy hide, and laid it back upon the rocks

The cutting the flesh into slices and strips would be easily effected, though it would require reat nicety

If not sliced very thin, the meat would be liable to spoil the sooner