"Now, what in thunder is that ?" There was the sound of an angry "snuff!" a sudden, wild threshing in the snow, and the next instant a tremendous weight struck the roof of their house.

A rending of bark and thatch followed, and a massive black form shot down into the center of the room and lay there a moment, stunned.
Paul, too, was dizzy.

He had been struck a glancing blow on the shoulder by the big black body in its fall, and hurled into a heap of furs.
Shif'less Sol had been sent spinning in another direction.
When both rose to their feet the big black body also rose, growling savagely and extending long, powerful paws, armed with cruel claws.

A bear, prowling in the snow, had fallen through the roof of their house, and it was furiously angry.
"Jump back, Paul, jump back!" shouted Shif'less Sol, "an' get to the door, ef you kin!" Paul obeyed a part of his command instinctively and sprang away, just in time to escape the cruel claws.

But he was compelled to press against the wall.