gone for good," there came a thump on the roof 



which told the prospectors that the bears were 



still intent on the hams. The bears began to claw 



the earth off the roof. If they were allowed to 



continue, they would soon clear off the earth and 



would then have a chance to tear out the poles. 



With a few poles torn out, the bears would tumble 



into the cabin, or perhaps their combined weight 



might cause the roof to give way and drop them 



into the cabin. Something had to be done to stop 



their clawing and if possible get them off the 



roof. Bundles of hay were taken out of the bed 



mattress. From time to time Sullivan would set 



fire to one of these bundles, lean far out through 



the window, and throw the blazing hay upon the 



roof among the bears. So long as he kept these 



fireworks going, the bears did not dig ; but they 



stayed on the roof and became furiously angry. 



The supply of hay did not last long, and as soon 



as the annoyance from the bundles of fire ceased, 



the bears attacked the roof again with renewed 



vigor. 



Then it was decided to prod the bears with 



red-hot drills thrust up between the poles of the 



225 



