" Well, we can easily find out if they come to-night," 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."
" 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 dis- tance.
"It is singular, though," said Bell, "that bears could scent us all that way off? We have not been burning any- thing fat which might have attracted them."
" Oh ! " replied the Doctor, " bears are endowed with a wonderfully keen sense of smell and a piercing sight; and, more than that, they are extremely intelligent, almost more so than any other animal. They have smelt something un- usual ; and besides, who can tell whether they have not even found their way as far as our plateau during the tempest? "
" But then, why did they stop here last night ? " asked Altamont.
" Well, that's a question I can't answer, but there is no doubt they will continue narrowing their circles, till they reach Fort Providence."
" We shall soon see," said Altamont.
" And, meantime, we had best go on," added the Doctor, " and keep a sharp look-out."
But not a sign of anything living was visible, and after a time they returned to the snow-house.
Hatteras and Johnson were informed how matters stood, and it was resolved to maintain a vigilant watch. Night came, but nothing disturbed its calm splendor nothing was heard to indicate approaching danger.
Next morning at early dawn, Hatteras and his com- panions, well armed, went out to reconnoiter the state of the snow. They found the same identical footmarks, but some- what nearer. Evidently the enemy was bent on the siege of Fort Providence.
" But where can the bears be ? " said Bell.
" Behind the icebergs watching us," replied the Doctor. " Don't let us expose ourselves imprudently."
