"Of course we must," replied Clawbonny, "but we'll get rid of the bears for all that."
"I told you so," said Johnson, rubbing his hands. "I knew nothing was hopeless if Mr. Clawbonny was here; he has always some expedient in his wise head."
"My poor head is very empty, I fear, but by dint of rummaging perhaps I----"
"Doctor," interrupted Altamont, "I suppose there is no fear of the bears getting in by the passage you have made?"
"No, I took care to stop up the opening thoroughly, and now we can reach the powder-magazine without letting them see us."
"All right; and now will you let us have your plan of getting rid of these comical assailants?"
"My plan is quite simple, and part of the work is done already."
"You shall see. But I am forgetting that I brought a companion with me."
"I have a companion to introduce to you," replied the Doctor, going out again into the passage, and bringing back a dead fox, newly killed.
"I shot it this morning," he continued, "and never did fox come more opportunely."
"What on earth do you mean?" asked Altamont.
"I mean to blow up the bears en masse with 100 lbs of powder."
"But where is the powder?" exclaimed his friend.
"In the magazine. This passage will lead to it. I made it purposely."
"And where is the mine to be?" inquired Altamont.
"At the furthest point from the house and stores."
"And how will you manage to entice the bears there, all to one spot?"
"I'll undertake that business; but we have talked enough, let us set to work. We have a hundred feet more to add to our passage to-night, and that is no easy matter, but as there are five of us, we can take turns at it. Bell will begin, and we will lie down and sleep meantime."
"Well, really," said Johnson, "the more I think of it, the more feasible seems the Doctor's plan."
"It is a sure one, anyway," said Clawbonny.
"So sure that I can feel the bear's fur already on my shoulder. Well, come, let's begin then."
Away he went into the gloomy passage, followed by Bell, and in a few moments they had reached the powder-magazine, and stood among the well-arranged barrels. The Doctor pointed out to his companion the exact spot where he began excavating, and then left him to his task, at which he laboured diligently for about an hour, when Altamont came to relieve him. All the snow he had dug out was taken to the kitchen and melted, to prevent its taking up room.