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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Treasure Hunter, by Frank V. Webster
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Young Treasure Hunter
+       or, Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska
+
+Author: Frank V. Webster
+
+Release Date: March 28, 2007 [EBook #20922]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Young Treasure Hunter
+
+Or
+
+Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska
+
+BY
+
+FRANK V. WEBSTER
+
+AUTHOR OF "ONLY A FARM BOY," "THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS," "THE BOY FROM THE
+RANCH," "BOB THE CASTAWAY," ETC.
+
+ILLUSTRATED
+
+          NEW YORK
+          CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+          PUBLISHERS
+
+[Illustration: "The moose plunged on"
+
+_Page 85_]
+
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+_By FRANK V. WEBSTER_
+
+12mo. Illustrated. Bound in cloth.
+
+
+          ONLY A FARM BOY, Or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life
+          TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY, Or The Mystery of a Message
+          THE BOY FROM THE RANCH, Or Roy Bradner's City Experiences
+          THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER, Or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska
+          BOB THE CASTAWAY, Or The Wreck of the Eagle
+          THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE, Or Herbert Dare's Pluck
+          THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS, Or Who Was Dick Box?
+          THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES, Or Nat Morton's Perils
+          TWO BOY GOLD MINERS, Or Lost in the Mountains
+          JACK THE RUNAWAY, Or On the Road with a Circus
+
+_Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York_
+
+
+
+
+          Copyright, 1909, by
+          CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+          CHAPTER                             PAGE
+
+              I. IN NEEDY CIRCUMSTANCES         1
+             II. SEEKING A JOB                  9
+            III. THE BURIED TREASURE STORY     18
+             IV. FRED HAS HOPES                24
+              V. MRS. STULTS CONSENTS          30
+             VI. THE OLD GOLD HUNTER           38
+            VII. OFF FOR ALASKA                45
+           VIII. AMID FROST AND ICE            53
+             IX. INTO THE INTERIOR             61
+              X. ATTACKED BY WOLVES            71
+             XI. SHOOTING A MOOSE              78
+            XII. LOST IN THE SNOW              86
+           XIII. IN THE WILDERNESS             92
+            XIV. THE LOST MAP                 100
+             XV. IN THE CAVE                  108
+            XVI. DIGGING FOR TREASURE         116
+           XVII. THE SPYING INDIAN            125
+          XVIII. FOLLOWED BY THE ENEMY        131
+            XIX. THE ATTACK                   137
+             XX. BURYING THE TREASURE         146
+            XXI. CAPTURED                     153
+           XXII. ANXIOUS HOURS                161
+          XXIII. CALLACK'S CRUEL THREAT       168
+           XXIV. DOUBLE HARDSHIP              174
+            XXV. THE RESCUE--CONCLUSION       193
+
+
+
+
+The Young Treasure Hunter
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+IN NEEDY CIRCUMSTANCES
+
+
+"How are you feeling this morning, father?" asked Fred Stanley as his
+parent came slowly into the dining-room, leaning heavily on a crutch.
+
+"Not so well, Fred. My leg pained me considerable last night, and I did
+not sleep much. You are up early, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes. I am going over to the new diggings and see if I can't get a job,
+so I want to start soon."
+
+"Where are the new diggings, Fred? I hadn't heard of any. But that is
+not surprising, as I don't hear news as I used to before the accident,
+when I could get around among the miners."
+
+"Why, there is a rumor that several prospectors have struck it rich near
+Cartersville. They've formed a settlement and called it New Strike. I
+heard they wanted boys to drive the ore carts, and I thought I'd go over
+and try for a place."
+
+"It's too bad you have had to stop school, Fred, and go to work. If I
+wasn't crippled I could make lots of money at mining."
+
+"Never mind, father. When you get well again you'll make more than ever.
+And I don't mind giving up school--very much."
+
+The last words Fred added in a lower tone of voice, for the truth was,
+he greatly liked his studies, and it had been quite a sacrifice for him
+to stop going to school. But when his services were needed at home he
+did not complain.
+
+Norman Stanley, Fred's father, had been injured in a mining accident
+about six months before this story opens, and, though he was now
+somewhat improved, he could not walk without the aid of a crutch. The
+physician said he would eventually get entirely well, but the process
+seemed very slow, and at times Mr. Stanley was almost discouraged.
+
+The Stanley family, of which Fred was the only child, lived in the town
+of Piddock, California. It was not far from a mining region, and within
+a short distance of the coast. Mr. Stanley had been in good
+circumstances when he was able to work, but since his accident, having a
+large doctor bill to pay, his savings had been used up. As he could not
+earn any more, the family was in needy circumstances, though,
+occasionally, Fred was able to make small sums by doing odd jobs here
+and there. Mrs. Stanley took in sewing, and they just managed to get
+along, paying a small rent, and eating only the most common food, though
+the doctor had said Mr. Stanley would recover more quickly if he could
+have a special diet.
+
+"Well, Fred," went on Mr. Stanley, "I hope some day I can send you back
+to school, and perhaps to college. If only my leg would get better," and
+he uttered a sigh.
+
+"Don't worry, father. We'll get along somehow. But where is mother? I
+would like to get my breakfast and hurry over to New Strike. All the
+best jobs may be taken, and I'll only get a chance to be superintendent,
+or something like that," and he laughed at his joke, for Fred was not a
+gloomy-spirited boy.
+
+"Your mother is not up yet, Fred," said Mr. Stanley. "She was sewing
+quite late last night, and I told her to take a rest this morning. She
+needed it. I thought maybe you and I could get our own breakfast."
+
+"Of course we can, dad. It won't be the first time I have done it, for
+when I went camping with the fellows I used to be cook part of the
+time."
+
+"And I haven't forgotten the time when I was prospecting in the
+mountains and used to have to get my own flapjacks and coffee," added
+the former miner. "I guess we can make out all right, and then you can
+go see if you can strike a job. If they insist on making you part owner,
+or manager of a good mine, I suppose you will have to take it."
+
+He smiled at his son in spite of his rather gloomy feelings. But he was
+sad at the thought of how hard his wife had to work to earn a little
+money, while he, a strong man, save for his injured leg, could do next
+to nothing.
+
+"Oh, I guess I can stand it to take half shares in a new lead," replied
+Fred. "Now if you'll set the table, dad, I'll put the kettle on, make
+coffee and fry some eggs."
+
+Mr. Stanley could manage to move slowly about the room with the aid of
+his crutch, and by degrees he had the table set. Meanwhile Fred had made
+a fire in the kitchen stove, and the kettle was soon humming, while he
+ground the coffee, cut some slices of bacon, and got the fresh eggs from
+the cupboard.
+
+In the midst of these operations Mrs. Stanley, a little woman with
+slightly gray hair, but a sweet face and kindly, laughing blue eyes,
+came downstairs.
+
+"Well!" she exclaimed. "You're ahead of me this morning, aren't you?"
+
+"I thought you would like to rest a bit," said her husband. "That is why
+I did not call you."
+
+"Oh, I'm not so tired. I slept well, and I wanted to be up early and get
+Fred's breakfast, for he has quite a journey ahead of him."
+
+"I wish he didn't have to take it," murmured Mr. Stanley to his wife
+when Fred was out of the room. "If I only could get back to work
+myself."
+
+"Now, Norman, I thought you promised me you wouldn't worry."
+
+"I'm not, but----"
+
+"Yes, you are. Now please don't do it any more. We are getting on very
+nicely, and I think Mrs. Robinson will pay me well for the sewing I did
+for her last night. She is very much pleased with my work."
+
+"I wish you didn't have to work."
+
+"Oh, my! I don't! What a queer world it would be if no one had to work.
+I just love to be busy," and she laughed joyously, though, to tell the
+truth, she was still weary from her toil of the night before. Fred heard
+his mother's voice and looked in from the kitchen.
+
+"Breakfast will soon be ready, Mrs. Stanley," he said in imitation of a
+servant girl they had had when they were in better circumstances. "The
+water is jest comin' on to a bile, ma'am, an' the eggs am almost done,
+ma'am."
+
+"That's just what Sarah used to say," remarked Mrs. Stanley. "It sounds
+quite natural. Now, Fred, you come in and sit down and I'll finish
+getting the meal."
+
+"No, indeed, mother, let me do it. Pretend you are a visitor, and I'll
+bring the eggs and toast in, piping hot for you."
+
+"No, Fred. I'll do it."
+
+The boy was so much in earnest that his mother gave in, and with a laugh
+seated herself by her husband's side, while Fred rattled away among the
+dishes out in the kitchen as if he was a regular Chinese cook, which
+many families in California keep in preference to a woman.
+
+"Do you feel any better this morning, Norman?" asked Mrs. Stanley.
+
+"Not much. Perhaps a little. It is very slow."
+
+In spite of herself tears came into the eyes of Mrs. Stanley at her
+husband's misfortune, but she turned her head away so he would not see
+them.
+
+"Here we are!" cried Fred suddenly, as he came in with a platter of
+bacon and eggs in one hand, and some nicely browned toast, on a plate,
+in the other.
+
+"Grub call!" he added, in imitation of the camp cry.
+
+"Well, you did get up a nice breakfast," complimented his mother.
+
+"I'll bring the coffee in a minute," added the boy as he went back to
+the kitchen. "You dish out, mother."
+
+The little family gathered around the table, and soon Mr. Stanley had
+temporarily forgotten about the pain in his leg, while he told Fred
+something of how to drive an ore cart.
+
+"Perhaps I'll not get a chance at one, dad."
+
+"Oh, yes, you will. If you see any old miners there, at the new
+diggings, just mention my name, and they'll help you. They all know me,
+for I've prospected with a number of them, and grub-staked lots of 'em.
+Yes, and some of them have grub-staked me."
+
+Grub-staked, it may be explained, means that a man with money provides a
+poor miner with food or "grub" and an outfit to hunt and dig for gold.
+If the miner finds a good lead, or mine, a large share of it goes to the
+man who grub-staked him.
+
+Mrs. Stanley placed two eggs and some toast on her husband's plate, and
+was about to help Fred to the same quantity, when she noticed that her
+son was engaged on a big dish of oatmeal.
+
+"Don't you want some eggs?" she asked.
+
+"Don't care for 'em," replied Fred quickly. "I'd rather have oatmeal. It
+will stick by me longer, if I get a job to-day."
+
+The truth was there were only four eggs in the house, and no money to
+send out and buy more. And Fred wanted his mother to have the remaining
+two. So he took oatmeal, though he did not like it.
+
+"Why, Fred!" exclaimed his mother. "You always used to like eggs. Why
+don't you take them? I don't feel very hungry."
+
+"Those eggs were cooked especially for you, mother," said the boy. "If
+you don't eat them I'll think you don't like my way, and I'll leave."
+
+His mother laughed, but, once more, there came a mist of tears to her
+eyes. Slyly she tried to put one of the eggs on Fred's plate, but he
+would not let her.
+
+"This toast is fine, if I did make it myself," said Fred, "and the bacon
+isn't half bad," he added as he took several slices, for there was
+plenty of that. "Guess I'll take some along for my dinner, as I'll not
+come back until night--if I get a job."
+
+"That's so, Fred, I must see if there is anything in the house for your
+lunch. I--I don't believe I'll have any money until Mrs. Robinson pays
+me. I'll take her work home right after breakfast."
+
+"A light lunch will do for me, mother. I can get some grub from one of
+the miners, if I run short."
+
+This was true enough, for the gold-diggers would share their last crust
+with a hungry traveler.
+
+The meal was soon over, and, with a small package of bread and bacon,
+and a piece of pie, saved from the day before, Fred Stanley started off
+to look for work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+SEEKING A JOB
+
+
+From Piddock, where Fred lived, to New Strike was about eight miles,
+over the mountains. It was a hard journey, but the boy set off on it
+with a light heart, whistling merrily, for he was hopeful of getting a
+job, and he knew that if he did, there would be more happiness at home,
+since there was a dire shortage of money.
+
+"I ought to get at least five dollars a week and my board," thought
+Fred. "If I do, I can save nearly four and send it home, and that will
+help out a lot. Poor dad, it's hard for him to be crippled the way he
+is. And I wish mother didn't have to work so hard. She is getting more
+gray than she ought to. I wish there was some work in Piddock. If I get
+a job over here I'll have to stay all the week, and can only go home
+Saturday night. But there's not much doing in Piddock."
+
+This was true. The town had once been quite an important one, but the
+diggings near it had been exhausted, and the mining population had, in
+a large part, moved away. There were some mines in the vicinity, that
+were still worked, but they did not pay very well.
+
+Shortly after Mr. Stanley's accident Fred had secured a place in the
+general store in Piddock, but, when the population diminished there was
+hardly enough work for the proprietor himself, and he had to discharge
+Fred, though he regretted it, for the boy was bright and quick, and a
+great help to him.
+
+After that Fred tried in vain to get a steady position. He worked for a
+few days driving a team for a man, and occasionally did odd jobs for one
+of the merchants in town, or for some of the residents, but the pay was
+poor, and he seldom had three full days' work a week.
+
+He had heard of the unexpected prosperity that had come to New Strike,
+and, knowing that there is usually plenty of work in a new mining camp,
+he determined to go there and see what he could find.
+
+As Fred reached the mountain trail, leading to New Strike, he saw that
+it had been well traveled. On both sides of the narrow road were
+evidences that many teams had passed that way recently, for the refuse
+of camp stuff, broken boxes and barrels, and things that the miners had
+thrown away as useless, littered the ground.
+
+As Fred made a turn in the road, he saw, just ahead of him, an old man,
+mounted on a small donkey. The man's legs were so long, and the donkey
+so little, that the rider's shoes nearly touched the ground.
+
+Either the animal was lazy, or it was unable to carry the load on its
+back,--for the man had a big bundle on the saddle before him,--and the
+donkey went at a very slow pace. So slow, in fact, that Fred soon caught
+up to the rider.
+
+"Good-morning," the boy said.
+
+"Ah, stranger, good-morning," was the man's answer. "I see you are
+headed for the same place I am."
+
+"I don't know whether it's the same place or not, but I'm going to New
+Strike," said Fred.
+
+"So am I, if this donkey lasts the trip out. He's awful slow, stranger.
+What might your name be?"
+
+"Fred Stanley."
+
+"Where you from?"
+
+"Piddock."
+
+"Hum. Well I'm Bill Gardner. Old Bill Gardner, they mostly calls me."
+
+"And where are you from?" asked Fred, thinking it only polite to
+manifest some interest in the rider.
+
+"Me? Oh, I ain't from nowhere in particular. I make my home wherever I
+happen to drop my pick and shovel. I'm a prospector," and Fred noticed
+that, in addition to his bundle, the old man had a set of mining tools.
+
+"Are you going to locate at New Strike?" asked Fred.
+
+"That's what I am. I heard there was some rich pockets there, and I want
+to get my share. G'lang there, you jack rabbit!" and the man jerked the
+donkey's reins.
+
+"That's a queer name for a donkey," commented Fred.
+
+"Well, this is a queer donkey. I call him a jack rabbit because he's so
+different. He wouldn't jump if you fired a cannon off right under him."
+
+"Did you ever try it?"
+
+"No, but he stood right near a blast one day, when it went off before I
+was ready for it, and all he done was to wiggle one ear a bit, as though
+a fly had bit him. Oh, he's the slowest donkey I ever saw, and I've seen
+some pretty lazy ones. But do you expect to do any prospecting in New
+Strike? Where's your outfit?"
+
+"I haven't any."
+
+"Guess you'll find it pretty hard to pick up one in the camps. Every
+man'll want his own."
+
+"Oh, I don't expect to look for gold."
+
+"What are you going to look for then?"
+
+"A job. I heard they wanted drivers for the ore carts at the stamp
+mills, and I thought I might fill the bill."
+
+"I guess you could, if the places aren't all taken. But, why don't you
+try mining?"
+
+"I don't believe I'm old enough."
+
+"Oh, yes, you are. I came to California, 'way back in '49, when I was
+only a boy, and I've been mining ever since."
+
+"My father was a miner," said Fred.
+
+"Was he? What's his name?"
+
+"Norman Stanley."
+
+"What! Norman Stanley, who used to work in the Eagle's Claw mine?"
+
+"Yes," replied the boy, who had often heard his father speak of the mine
+mentioned.
+
+"Well, well! I know him like a brother. Just tell him you met old Bill
+Gardner, and he'll remember me all right."
+
+"I will."
+
+"And I'll speak a good word for you when we get to the new diggings,"
+went on the old man. "I know every miner in these parts worth knowing.
+G'lang there, Kangaroo."
+
+"I thought you said the donkey's name was Jack Rabbit."
+
+"No, that's not his name. You see I call him something different every
+time."
+
+"Why?" inquired Fred.
+
+"Well, I think one name gets sort of tiresome for an animal. And then I
+think, if I call him a different name every time, he'll think maybe I'm
+somebody else, and he'll go faster. He knows me so well he won't pay any
+attention to me, and he knows I won't hit him. But if I call him a
+different name, he may think there's a different man on his back, and he
+may run a bit."
+
+"He doesn't seem to be going to."
+
+"No, I guess not. G'lang there, Hippopotamus!"
+
+That name seemed to have no effect, either, and, with an exclamation of
+disgust, the old miner settled back in the saddle and let the donkey
+take its own time.
+
+Fred found he could easily keep up with the small animal, and the miner
+chatted pleasantly until they came to New Strike. Then, at the
+suggestion of Mr. Gardner, the boy went to the superintendent of the
+stamp mills, to apply for a job.
+
+"Let me know how you make out," said the miner, as he was about to part
+from the boy.
+
+"Where will I find you?"
+
+"Oh, I'm going to put up at the hotel. There's only one, so you won't
+have much trouble finding me. Just ask for Old Bill Gardner, and
+anybody'll point me out. Well, good luck."
+
+"Thank you," answered Fred, as he started toward the stamping mills, the
+thundering noise of which could be heard for a long distance.
+
+"Well, what can I do for you?" asked the superintendent sharply, as Fred
+entered the office.
+
+"Do you want any boys to drive ore carts? I heard you did."
+
+"We did, but we filled the last place about an hour ago."
+
+Fred's heart sank. If he had been a little earlier, or if he had started
+sooner, he might now have had a good job.
+
+"Is there anything else to do around here?" he asked. "I would be glad
+to get work of any kind."
+
+"I'm afraid I haven't anything for any one as young as you."
+
+"I am quite strong, though I am only seventeen years old."
+
+"Yes, I must admit you seem a sturdy lad, but, I am sorry to say, I
+can't give you any work. If you leave your name and address I'll send
+for you, when there is anything."
+
+"Thank you," replied Fred, and he wrote them on a piece of paper the
+manager gave him.
+
+"If you were a man now, I could give you work in the mine. But I can't
+put boys in there. Have you had any experience in mining?"
+
+"No, but I know something about it from hearing my father tell about it.
+He is a miner."
+
+"What is his name?"
+
+Fred told him, and found that, while the manager did not know Mr.
+Stanley, he had heard of him.
+
+"I wish, for your father's sake, I could give you work," he said. "I'll
+keep you in mind, and you shall have the first job that is open."
+
+"Thank you. I shall try some other places here."
+
+"I would, if I were you, and you can refer to me."
+
+"That is very kind of you."
+
+Fred bade the manager good-morning, and started off to see if there was
+not work elsewhere for him. But he found that either all the places were
+filled, or that, when there was work, it was of such a nature that he
+could not do it.
+
+Somewhat discouraged, he sat down in a shady place to eat his simple
+lunch, and, after a drink from a spring, he felt refreshed.
+
+Early that afternoon he had exhausted the possibilities of work in New
+Strike.
+
+"I think I'll start back home," he said. "There's no use bothering to
+look up Mr. Gardner."
+
+The truth was he disliked to tell the old miner he had not succeeded in
+getting work. So Fred started off on his long tramp back to Piddock.
+
+But, as he was passing along the main, and, in truth, the only street of
+the town, a voice hailed him.
+
+"Hold on there, Fred," was the cry, and he turned to see the old miner
+beckoning to him, from in front of the "Imperial Hotel," as a sign in
+front of the one-storied building indicated it to be. "Wait a minute. I
+want to speak to you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE BURIED TREASURE STORY
+
+
+Fred turned and walked toward the hotel, the old miner advancing to meet
+him.
+
+"Well," asked Mr. Gardner, "how'd you make out?"
+
+"I didn't make out at all."
+
+"Pshaw! That's too bad. What are you going to do now?"
+
+"Go back home."
+
+"I wish I could help you. Do you need work very much?"
+
+"Well, I have to help support the house since my father met with that
+accident."
+
+"That's so. Shucks! Why ain't I rich? Then I could help my old friend."
+
+"I don't think my father would take money that he or I did not earn."
+
+"No, that's right, he wouldn't. But if I was rich I could give you a
+job. As it is I can't do any more than offer to grub-stake you, or let
+you come prospecting with me."
+
+"Thank you very much for the offer, but I don't believe I could do it.
+We need money right away, and I must earn it--somehow."
+
+"But how are you going to?"
+
+"That's what I don't know," and Fred spoke a little discouragedly. "I
+must try some other camp, I suppose."
+
+"Yes, I guess that's the only way. But say, won't you come in and have
+some lunch with me? I'm just going to sit down."
+
+"No, thank you. I must be getting home. I have quite a long walk."
+
+"Oh, come on. It won't take long, and you'll feel all the better for
+having eaten something. They don't set a very good table here. Everyone
+is too busy thinking about gold mines, to care much about grub. I'd lend
+you my elephant to get home on, only you can walk faster than he'll
+carry you."
+
+"Your elephant?"
+
+"Yes, that's my latest name for the donkey."
+
+"Oh, I understand."
+
+"Come on in and have lunch," insisted the old miner again.
+
+Fred did not need much urging. The truth was he was quite hungry, for he
+had not eaten a hearty breakfast, and his lunch was not very
+substantial. So he followed Mr. Gardner into the hotel, or what answered
+for one, and soon they were seated at a rough table, where the food, if
+not very dainty, was good, and there was enough of it.
+
+"So your folks need money, do they?" asked Mr. Gardner when they were
+drinking their coffee.
+
+"Well, I fancy it would come in handy in 'most any family," answered
+Fred with a smile.
+
+"That's what it would. I could use a bit more myself. But I may strike
+it rich here. If I don't, I may have a try for the Stults treasure. I
+sure would, without stopping here, if I wasn't so old and stiff, and
+wasn't afraid of the cold."
+
+"The Stults treasure?" asked Fred. "What's that, and where is it? Is
+there any chance of me getting a share?"
+
+"I don't know. There might be," replied the miner, more seriously than
+Fred thought he would answer, for, at first, the boy thought his
+companion was joking.
+
+"Is there really a treasure hidden around here, Mr. Gardner."
+
+"Around here? No, only the gold in the mines, and that is hard to get
+out. The Stults treasure, that I referred to, is many miles away."
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"In Alaska."
+
+"Alaska?"
+
+"Yes, and the coldest part, too. I'll tell you what I know of it, but
+don't hold me responsible."
+
+"I'll not."
+
+"Very well then. The story is more or less known, but I can't say as
+much for the location of the treasure. Several have tried their hand at
+locating it, but had to give it up.
+
+"It appears that an old miner, named Max Stults, went to Alaska, in the
+early days of the gold discoveries there, with a few companions. They
+made their way up the Yukon river as far as where Circle City now is.
+Then they went off into the mountains, for, it seems, the old man had a
+curious dream that he would find gold in a certain place.
+
+"His companions laughed at him, for it was outside the gold-bearing
+region, and, finally, they all deserted him. Nothing more was heard of
+Stults for a long time. One day, so the story goes, a man, half dead
+from exposure, staggered into the camp, which was the beginning of what
+is now Circle City.
+
+"This man, who turned out to be Stults, told a strange story. He said he
+had discovered a wonderful treasure of gold, in the bed of a river that
+had changed its course. There were many big nuggets of the pure metal he
+had picked up, he said."
+
+"Why didn't he bring it with him?" asked Fred.
+
+"He tried to, but he was attacked by a band of savage Alaskan Indians,
+who tried to get the gold away from him. He had it in the mountains, and
+managed to escape, coming to the camp for help."
+
+"Did they give it to him?"
+
+"They would have, but, unfortunately, just as they were setting out to
+find the buried treasure, Stults died."
+
+"And they never found the gold?"
+
+"They never found it. Stults had a sort of map, showing the location of
+it, but no one could make head or tail of that map after he was dead.
+Several parties made the attempt, but they all failed. Some were frozen
+to death, and others were driven from the country by the savage Indians.
+So, up to the present time, no one has found the Stults treasure, as far
+as I know."
+
+"What became of the map?"
+
+"Oh, that, and a few personal belongings of the old German gold hunter,
+were sent to his widow. I heard that she raised money and sent out an
+expedition after the gold, for she was familiar with her husband's
+handwriting and understood what certain words on the map meant, which
+was more than those who first saw it knew. But it fared no better than
+the others. So the treasure must be there still. Now if you only had a
+share of that, you and your folks wouldn't have to worry."
+
+"No, indeed, but I guess the chances are very small for me finding that
+gold, even if I could go to Alaska, which is impossible."
+
+"Yes, I am afraid so. Still, when you grow up you may want to have a try
+for it. I think Mrs. Stults is living yet, and, I understand, she has a
+standing offer of half the treasure to whoever will find it."
+
+"Is that so? Where does Mrs. Stults live?"
+
+"The last I heard she was in Denville, California."
+
+"Denville? Why that is not more than twenty-five miles from Piddock!"
+exclaimed Fred, a sudden idea coming into his mind.
+
+"So near as that? Well, why don't you go and see her, get a copy of the
+map, and hunt for the gold?" and the old miner laughed as if it was a
+joke.
+
+"Maybe I will," replied Fred, in a curiously quiet voice, as he rose to
+leave the dining-room of the hotel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+FRED HAS HOPES
+
+
+"How long will it take you to get home?" asked Mr. Gardner of Fred, as
+he accompanied him toward the street.
+
+"Oh, about three hours. I'm a pretty fast walker, and it's mostly down
+hill."
+
+"Then you'd better take my tame snake."
+
+"Your snake? Oh, you mean the donkey."
+
+"Yes, I think he would go pretty well down hill. He could slide most of
+the way. Better let me get him for you. You can send him back whenever
+you get ready. I shan't want him for a week or so."
+
+"Thank you very much, but I think I'll walk."
+
+"Well, maybe you'll get home a little sooner, even if it is down hill.
+Stop and see me whenever you're in this direction. I don't expect to go
+to prospecting right away, and I'm going to make this hotel my
+headquarters."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Gardner, I will."
+
+"And give my regards to your father. I'd like to see him."
+
+"I will do so, but I'm afraid you can't see him unless you call. He is
+not able to get very far from the house."
+
+"Then I'll try to call. Don't forget to say that Old Bill Gardner was
+asking for him. And if he wants to have a try at the Stults treasure,
+why, I'll give him a letter of introduction to the widow. I know her."
+
+"Do you?" asked Fred eagerly. "Then perhaps you would give me a letter?"
+
+"Give you one? Why, you don't expect to have a try for it; do you?"
+
+"I don't know," replied the boy seriously. "I would like to talk to my
+father about it. But I have another scheme in mind. If I had a letter to
+Mrs. Stults, she might be able to tell me where I could get work. I
+believe you said she had an interest in some mines."
+
+"She has, and she might be able to get you a place. I did not think of
+that. But Denville is quite a way off."
+
+"Well, I may have to go quite a distance before I can get a job."
+
+"All right. Wait a few minutes and I'll write you a letter of
+introduction to Mrs. Stults. She is rather a peculiar German woman,
+slow-going, and she doesn't make her mind up in a hurry."
+
+"Then I will give her plenty of time to consider matters, Mr. Gardner."
+
+In a little while, charged with messages of remembrance to his father,
+and bearing the letter of introduction to the widow, Fred was on his way
+home. He stepped out at a quick pace, for in spite of his long walk that
+morning he did not feel tired, as he was busy thinking of a certain
+matter.
+
+You have probably guessed that it was the buried treasure, though Fred
+had only the most hazy notion where it was, and he knew that it was
+almost entirely out of the question for him to go in search of it.
+Nevertheless, as do all lads, he had hopes, and it was these hopes which
+made the way seem short to him, so that he did not mind the long
+mountain trail.
+
+"Well, Fred, any luck?" asked his father, when he got home, about dusk.
+
+"No, dad," yet the answer was not given in a despondent tone.
+
+"I was afraid you wouldn't have. A new digging is usually quickly
+overrun with miners, and there are two applicants for every place."
+
+Fred described the incidents of the day, and gave his father the message
+from Mr. Gardner.
+
+"Yes, I remember him very well," said the miner. "He was a peculiar
+man."
+
+"He is yet," and Fred told of the various names applied to the little
+donkey.
+
+"That's just like Old Bill Gardner," commented Mr. Stanley.
+
+"You'll not have to go without your supper, Fred," said his mother,
+coming in at that moment. "I have a nice meal for you."
+
+"That's good. I have a fine appetite."
+
+"I'm glad of it. Mrs. Robinson paid me more for the sewing than I
+expected, and I got a little treat for you. I made some tapioca pudding.
+We haven't had any in a long time."
+
+"That's so, mother, but I can get along without it."
+
+"You'll not have to, to-night."
+
+Mr. Stanley's face flushed. He keenly felt the position he was in--that
+of a man unable to support himself, much less his family. If only his
+lameness would leave him! For there was no work for a lame man in
+Piddock.
+
+During the meal Fred was so busy thinking that several times his mother
+had to ask him the same question twice. When this occurred, after she
+had asked him if he was ready for the pudding, a dish of which he was
+very fond, she exclaimed:
+
+"Well, Fred! Something must be the matter. You are not ill; are you?"
+
+"No, mother."
+
+"Then of what are you thinking?"
+
+"I'll tell you," said Fred, with sudden determination. "I am thinking of
+a curious story I heard to-day."
+
+"A story? What about?"
+
+"About treasure, buried in the mountains of Alaska."
+
+Then Fred told what Mr. Gardner had related to him about the gold left
+by Stults.
+
+"I have heard that story several times," said Mr. Stanley, when Fred had
+finished the account, "but it was always from men in whom I could place
+no confidence."
+
+"Do you think Mr. Gardner is telling the truth, father?"
+
+"I place more reliance on the story now than I ever did before," replied
+the old miner. "You can generally depend on what Old Bill tells you."
+
+"Then you think there might be treasure there?"
+
+"I believe there might have been. Whether it is there still is another
+question. Why, Fred, you weren't thinking of going after it; were you?"
+
+"I was, father."
+
+Though the boy spoke quietly the words startled his parents.
+
+"You were!" exclaimed Mr. Stanley.
+
+"What, Fred! Go away off to Alaska, and freeze to death on an iceberg?"
+asked his mother.
+
+"Oh, I guess I could stand the cold, mother. I could wear a fur suit,
+like the Eskimos. But whether I could find the gold is, as father says,
+another question. How much do you think would be there, dad?"
+
+"It is utterly impossible to say. I have heard various amounts
+mentioned, from as high as a million to as low as a thousand dollars.
+But I think, from the stories current at the time of the death of
+Stults, that it must be many thousands of dollars."
+
+"So do I, father, and I would like to go after it."
+
+"You don't appreciate what that means, Fred," said Mr. Stanley. "In the
+first place the treasure, if there is any, is in a desolate place, hard
+to get at, once you are in Alaska. Then Alaska is no easy place to
+reach, and it takes more money to get there than we shall ever have, I'm
+afraid. Another thing: you would have no right to go after the treasure.
+It belongs to the widow of Stults."
+
+"I would have a right to search for it, if she gave me permission, as
+she has others."
+
+"Yes, but you do not know her, and I doubt if any one knows where she
+is. No, Fred, it is out of the question."
+
+Fred drew something from his pocket.
+
+"I admit it may be impossible for me to go after the treasure," he said,
+"but part of the objections can be overcome. I know where Mrs. Stults is
+now, and I have a letter of introduction to her," and he showed the
+epistle given him by Mr. Gardner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+MRS. STULTS CONSENTS
+
+
+Fred's announcement took his parents completely by surprise. Mr. Stanley
+extended his hand for the letter, and read it over slowly.
+
+"That ought to get you a hearing, at any rate," he said at length. "I
+understand that Old Bill Gardner is quite well acquainted with the widow
+of the man who buried the fortune to save it from the Alaskan Indians.
+But, Fred, don't build your hopes too high. I don't see how you are
+going to get to Denville, and, even if Mrs. Stults should consent to
+allow you to hunt for the treasure, how are you going to do it?"
+
+"I thought I might get some of your friends interested, father, and we
+could form an expedition to go to Alaska."
+
+"But that will take considerable money."
+
+"So it does to start a mine, and this is just as sure as a mine is."
+
+"I admit that. But whom could you get?"
+
+"I thought you might be able to propose some one. You see, father,
+there is no use of me staying around here. There is no work to be had in
+Piddock, and if I have to go off some distance to look for a job, I
+might as well go a little farther, and hunt for the treasure."
+
+"But Alaska is a good way off."
+
+"Not so very far."
+
+"You'd think so, if you had to walk," added his mother. "Besides, Fred,
+I hate to think of you going off to that terrible place."
+
+"But think of it, mother! I might come home with a fortune in gold! Then
+you wouldn't have to work any more, and dad could have better treatment,
+so he would get well."
+
+Fred spoke earnestly, and there were tears in the eyes of his father and
+mother at his words. He wanted so much to help them, yet he could do so
+little.
+
+"It might be done," said Mr. Stanley, musingly, after a pause. "I
+suppose I could talk to some old miners I know, and get them interested.
+They place a good deal of confidence in me, and they would believe
+anything Old Bill Gardner said. But I don't see, at present, Fred, how
+you are going to get to see Mrs. Stults. The railroad fare costs more
+than we can afford."
+
+"I can walk it, father."
+
+"What? Walk twenty-five miles--yes, fifty, for it would mean that."
+
+"Oh, I could do it. But I may be able to get some work, and earn my
+car-fare."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Stanley, after thinking it over, "the matter will have
+to be discussed considerably more at length, before I can consent to let
+you do anything."
+
+"May I go see Mrs. Stults, dad?"
+
+"Yes, if you can arrange it. I have been promised a little job as
+watchman at the old Owl mine. There is a lawsuit over it, and the court
+has ordered that it be guarded, pending a settlement. The wages are not
+much, but it is about all I can do. The offer only came to me this
+afternoon. With what I can earn there, and with what your mother takes
+in, I think we can spare you for a few days, if you want to try and see
+Mrs. Stults. But, if you walk, you must take at least two days at it. I
+don't want you to get sick."
+
+"I don't either, dad. I'll go slow, so I'll be in good shape to start
+for Alaska with the expedition."
+
+"I'm afraid it will be a good while before the expedition starts, my
+son."
+
+But Fred had no doubts to worry him. He felt confident that he would
+succeed, and he did not consider the many obstacles in the way. He only
+looked ahead, and saw himself, in fancy, bringing home a great treasure,
+to delight his father and mother.
+
+Fred mapped out a plan for himself. Now that his father had a little
+work, the boy did not worry so much about matters at home. He decided he
+would try, harder than ever, to get odd jobs to do, so that he might
+earn money enough for his railroad fare to Denville. In this he was more
+successful than he hoped. In about a week he had the necessary cash, and
+then, on second thoughts, as there was no great hurry, he decided to
+walk after all.
+
+So, taking only part of the money he had earned, and giving the rest to
+his mother, he set out, one fine morning, on his long walk.
+
+He had cash enough to buy his meals, and he knew he could find sleeping
+places in the mining camps, where he would have to pay nothing. In this
+way, should his mission prove a failure, as far as the widow was
+concerned, he would not be out much.
+
+Fortunately for Fred the weather continued good, and, in less time than
+he had calculated, he arrived at Denville. Everyone knew where Mrs. Max
+Stults lived, and, after having had his breakfast, on the third day
+after leaving home, Fred called at the house.
+
+"Vell, vot it is?" asked Mrs. Stults, when he introduced himself.
+
+"I have a letter of introduction from Mr. William Gardner," said Fred,
+extending the missive.
+
+"I don't knows such a man as dot."
+
+"Don't know Mr. Gardner--Old Bill Gardner?" and Fred began to feel
+disappointed, thinking he had made a mistake.
+
+"Oh, so! You means dot Old Bill! Ach! Yah! I knows him vell. Vot you
+say, he has wrotten me a letters?"
+
+"It's about that Alaska treasure."
+
+"Oh, dot treasure! I wish I never hear of him! He kill mine poor
+husband, und he is more bodders to me as everyding; dot treasures! Vait;
+I reads der letter."
+
+Slowly adjusting a large pair of glasses, she carefully spelled out the
+missive. Her face took on a more kindly look, and, when she had finished
+it, she said:
+
+"Vell, Fred, I do 'most anyding for you, after I read dot letter from
+Old Bill. My husbands vos very fond of Bill. Vot it is you vants?"
+
+"I would like to get a map of where the treasure is buried, and have you
+tell me all you can about it."
+
+"So? Vell, I don't know vere it is, only vot der map says. But listen,
+how is a boy like you going to hunt for dot treasure? Maybe it don't be
+dere no more. Maybe dose Indians vos took it. Ach! My poor husband! Dot
+treasure vos der death of him, und I don't vant to see it kills any
+more beples."
+
+"Well, I shall have to take that chance, I suppose," said Fred. "But are
+you willing I should hunt for it?"
+
+"How can a boy like you vos, all alone, find somedings vot lots of mens
+has failed to find?"
+
+"I expect to have some men help me. My father is an old miner, and he
+will advise me. Probably he would go, only he is lame."
+
+"So? Dot's different alretty yet, if your fader vos a miner. Den you
+knows somedings about der trouble. Und maybe you could get a party to
+hunt it, only der last party vot vent for it vos frozen prutty bad, und
+dey comes back midout der gold."
+
+"Have you the map?" asked Fred, anxious to see the document.
+
+"Yah, but if I consents to let you search, I vill only give you a copy.
+If you don't come back, my map vould be lost. Maybe it vould be better
+if it vos lost, den noboddies vould try for dot treasure, any more."
+
+"If it's there it ought to be found, Mrs. Stults. The gold is no good
+buried out of sight."
+
+"Dot's so. Vell, maybe I gives you a copy of der map. I have to dink it
+ofer. You comes back in an hour, und I lets you know."
+
+Fred was anxious to know right away, but he could not very well urge
+the widow to hasten her decision. So he went out and wandered about the
+streets, occasionally looking at a clock in a jeweler's window, to see
+if the hour was not up. He was back probably a minute or so ahead of the
+time.
+
+"Vell," said Mrs. Stults slowly, after she had admitted him, "I haf
+considered it, und I am villing dot you should haf a try for der
+treasure."
+
+"And can I have a copy of the map?"
+
+"Yah. Widout it you could do noddings. I vill haf my lawyers draw up a
+copy for you, und you also has to sign a papers."
+
+"What kind of a paper?"
+
+"You must promise to bear all of der expenses of der expedition, you und
+your friends, und I must have half der treasure, if you finds him. Vill
+you do dot?"
+
+"That I will, Mrs. Stults."
+
+"Den come here dis afternoon, und I vill haf der map copy und der papers
+ready for you. You vos a smart boy. Maybe you vos succeed vere der oders
+fail. Anyhow I trust you, because of der letter from Old Bill. Now come
+back dis afternoon. Good-by, Willy. Vos dot your name?"
+
+"No, my name is Fred--Fred Stanley."
+
+"Vell, Fred, den. Vos you any relations to dot man vot discovered many
+t'ings in Africa?"
+
+"You mean Henry M. Stanley?"
+
+"Yah."
+
+"No. I think not."
+
+"Vell, anyhow, maybe you vos be as better a discoverer as him. Come dis
+afternoon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE OLD GOLD HUNTER
+
+
+Fred thought the hour would never arrive when he might again call on
+Mrs. Stults. But, of course, it came around in due course, and he was
+there on time. He found the widow seated in her parlor, with a bundle of
+papers on a table near her, and a man sitting in a chair by a window.
+
+"Here is dot Fred boy, vot I tell you about," said Mrs. Stults to the
+man.
+
+"Ah, yes. He seems quite young to undertake such work as hunting for the
+lost treasure."
+
+"Dot's vot I tells him."
+
+"I'll grow older," remarked Fred, with a smile, "and I am used to hard
+work and exposure. I have done considerable camping out."
+
+"Yes, but not in such a cold country as Alaska, young man."
+
+"No, sir, but I expect to prepare for it."
+
+"Dis is mine lawyer," explained Mrs. Stults, "Mr. Ackerman. He vill make
+out der papers."
+
+"Mrs. Stults has told me what you want to do," went on Mr. Ackerman. "I
+see no objection to it, provided you can get your father or some other
+men interested. I have drawn up an agreement by which you are required
+to give Mrs. Stults half the gold you discover."
+
+"I am willing to do that."
+
+"Then if you will sign it, I will give you a copy of the map, and such
+directions as the late Mr. Stults left. I must warn you that they are
+not very clear, and, even with the aid of the map, many men have tried
+to find the gold, but have failed."
+
+"I may fail also," admitted Fred, "but I am going to try."
+
+"That is the right spirit. I wish you all success."
+
+The papers were signed, a duplicate being given Fred. Mrs. Stults
+affixed her name, the lawyer put his down as a witness, and Fred
+received a copy of the map, and some directions how to find the gold. He
+glanced over the latter, and had to admit that they were rather vague.
+He hoped, however, when he was on the scene, to make them available.
+
+"I'll let you know when we start, Mrs. Stults," he said. "I can't tell
+how soon I can get some men interested."
+
+"Oh, dot's all right," replied the German widow. "It don't make so much
+difference ven you vos start, as it does ven you comes back. Dot's vot
+I vant to know--ven you comes back, mit der gold."
+
+"Yes, that is the main part," added the lawyer. "Mrs. Stults has allowed
+several persons to hunt for the gold, but, so far, not one has come
+anywhere near finding it."
+
+"Maybe I'll have better luck," said Fred, as he bade the lawyer and the
+widow good-by, and took his departure for home.
+
+He had been more successful than he dared to hope, in getting the map,
+and his first thought was that he would use what little remaining money
+he had, and ride as far on the railroad as it would take him. He wanted
+to get home quickly with the news.
+
+Then he reflected that there was no special hurry; that it would take
+some little time to organize an expedition, and he would need all the
+money he had. So he decided to walk back, taking his time, so as to
+arrive in good condition.
+
+But, unconsciously, perhaps, the thought of the treasure and the fact
+that he was now in a position to start after it, quickened his steps,
+and he made the return trip in much less time than he had spent on the
+first half of his journey.
+
+"Well, Fred!" exclaimed his father, as his son entered the house, "we
+didn't expect you until to-morrow. I suppose you couldn't reach any
+agreement with the widow, and had to come back."
+
+"No, dad, I was successful."
+
+"You don't mean to say she gave you the map?"
+
+"Not exactly the map, but a copy of it, which is just as good."
+
+"And permission to hunt for the treasure?"
+
+"Yes, dad."
+
+"Oh, Fred! Are you going off to that terrible cold country?" asked his
+mother, who came into the room just then, and heard the closing part of
+the conversation.
+
+"Well, mother, don't you think it's worth trying for? Think of getting
+thousands of dollars in gold!"
+
+"Yes, but it wouldn't make up for being frozen to death."
+
+"No, mother--but I don't expect to freeze to death. We will take
+fur-lined clothes along."
+
+"Where are you going to get them? I used to have a fur-lined cloak once,
+but the moths ate it up."
+
+"I'm afraid it would hardly have answered, if you had it now, mother.
+But of course that's a part I've got to talk over with father--about
+fitting out the expedition."
+
+"And I'm afraid you'll have trouble," remarked Mr. Stanley. "Oh, if I
+was only well and strong I'd ask nothing better than to go along!"
+
+His words caused a little feeling of sadness, but it soon passed away,
+and Fred's father and mother listened with interest to his account of
+the trip to Denville.
+
+"Now, father, what would you advise me to do?" asked Fred, when he had
+concluded. "We need to get some man, who has money, interested in this
+venture, for it will cost something to fit out the expedition. Do you
+know of any one among your acquaintances, who would take the risk?"
+
+Mr. Stanley was silent for several seconds. He was in deep thought. Then
+he suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"Fred! I believe I know the very man."
+
+"Who, dad?"
+
+"Simon Baxter. He is an old gold hunter, as well as a miner. He has gone
+on several expeditions of this kind, and he has traveled in the far
+north. He would be the very man."
+
+"Is he well off?"
+
+"Yes, he is quite rich."
+
+"Do you think he would go; and provide the money?"
+
+"Ah, that is another question. But it would do no harm to see him, and
+find out. He lives about five miles from here, with his son Jerry, who
+is about your age, Fred."
+
+"Perhaps Jerry would go along. Then he and I could have a good time
+together."
+
+"He might. He is a strong, hearty lad, about your build. I will write a
+letter to Mr. Baxter, and you can take it to him. You were so
+successful with the widow Stults, where I did not think you would be,
+that, perhaps, you can prevail on this old gold hunter to finance the
+expedition. He and I are old friends, though I have not seen him in some
+time."
+
+"Write the letter at once, dad, and I'll take it to him."
+
+"Aren't you tired, after your long tramp?"
+
+"No. Besides, I am so anxious that I can't rest."
+
+"Very well. I'll write the letter at once."
+
+After dinner Fred started out, this time on a shorter journey, bearing a
+letter to Mr. Baxter, explaining matters.
+
+Fred found the old gold hunter in his garden, pulling weeds from an
+onion patch.
+
+"Well?" he asked, as Fred came up the walk.
+
+"Here is a letter for you, Mr. Baxter."
+
+The old miner read it through slowly. Then he started on it a second
+time. Finally, when he had again gotten to the end, he asked:
+
+"Are you Fred Stanley?"
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"And you want me to leave my quiet life here, let my garden all grow up
+to weeds, and go chasing off to Alaska after a lot of gold that we'll
+probably never find."
+
+"We might find it; and, as for the garden, isn't there some one you can
+leave in charge?"
+
+"Nobody knows how to take care of my garden but myself," said the man.
+"Especially my onion bed. I'm very fond of onions. Are you?"
+
+"No, sir, I don't like them."
+
+"Great mistake! Great mistake! Everyone ought to eat onions. They're the
+healthiest vegetable that grows. Guess I'll have one now," and he pulled
+a green one from the ground, wiped the earth from it, and chewed it with
+every indication of satisfaction.
+
+"But--about the gold expedition," said Fred, thinking the old man had
+forgotten all about it.
+
+"The gold? Oh, yes. I was thinking whether I hadn't better plant more
+onions. It hardly seems enough to tide me over the winter, but I'll have
+to make 'em do. The gold, hum--let me see."
+
+He got up from his knees, read Mr. Stanley's letter over again, folded
+it carefully, placed it in the envelope, placed the envelope in his
+pocket, and then said:
+
+"Come into the house, young man."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+OFF FOR ALASKA
+
+
+Striding on ahead, Mr. Baxter led the way to the porch of a fine country
+house. Fred followed, hardly knowing what to think. Certainly the man's
+manner was not very encouraging, but the boy had not yet lost hope.
+
+"Sit down," said the old gold hunter, indicating a big chair on the
+porch. Fred took it, and Mr. Baxter seated himself near the boy. Then he
+read the letter over again.
+
+"How's your father?" he asked suddenly, as though that was the chief
+matter in his mind.
+
+"Not very well."
+
+"I'm sorry to hear that. He's a fine man."
+
+Then Mr. Baxter seemed lost in thought.
+
+"How much gold did Stults bury?" he asked at length.
+
+"I don't know, sir."
+
+"Hum. I'm glad you said that. I was afraid you might have an idea that
+it was a million or more. I've heard all sorts of stories about the
+Stults treasure, but I never took any stock in 'em. Now it begins to
+look as if there was something in it. Tell me all you know about it."
+
+Fred did so to the best of his ability, taking in from the time Mr.
+Gardner first related the story to him to his interview with Mrs.
+Stults.
+
+"And you want me to finance the expedition, eh?" asked the old gold
+hunter.
+
+"My father hoped you might be willing to."
+
+"What was your idea of how much my share should be in case we found the
+gold, young man?"
+
+"I hadn't thought of that. Of course Mrs. Stults will get her half."
+
+"Yes. And how much would you get?"
+
+"I'd be willing to leave that to you."
+
+"You wouldn't want all the other half then?" asked Mr. Baxter, but, by
+the smile on his face, Fred knew the old man was only joking.
+
+"I'll leave it to you," he repeated.
+
+"Hum. Well, I've been thinking this thing over in the last few minutes,
+and I don't know but what I'll go in with you."
+
+At these words Fred's heart gave a bound. He already saw himself
+possessed of several thousand dollars, and his father and mother placed
+beyond the necessity of worrying over money matters.
+
+"Thank you!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Wait a bit," advised Mr. Baxter. "I haven't finished. I am willing to
+finance the expedition and go after the gold. I think I'll take my son
+Jerry along, and we'll need another man, or maybe two."
+
+"Can't I go?" asked Fred, fearing he was to be left behind.
+
+"Yes, I am coming to that. You can go along, and your share will be
+one-third of half the treasure."
+
+"I'm satisfied with that."
+
+"It may seem that I am taking the larger part," went on Mr. Baxter, "but
+that is not so. It will cost quite a sum to fit out the expedition, and
+then there is the risk of failure. If we find the gold we will set aside
+one-half for the widow of the man who hid it. The remainder we will
+divide into three parts, and you shall have one. I calculate another
+third will pay for the expedition, and cover my expenses and the hire of
+whatever men I may have to engage. That will leave one-third clear for
+me, so, you see, I am really going shares with you. Is that
+satisfactory?"
+
+"Indeed it is, Mr. Baxter."
+
+"I am glad you think so. Of course, there is a big risk involved. We may
+fit out an expensive expedition and end up in failure. But I am willing
+to take that chance. I have hunted for buried treasure before. Sometimes
+I have been successful, and more often I have failed. I am getting
+along in years, but I don't want to retire just yet. So we will go to
+Alaska for the gold."
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Fred, unable to restrain his feelings.
+
+"Hello, dad! What's up? Fourth of July celebration?" asked a lad, coming
+around the corner of the porch. Fred looked at the newcomer. The youth
+was about his own age, perhaps a bit bigger and stronger.
+
+"No, Jerry, it isn't Fourth of July," replied Mr. Baxter. "This is Fred
+Stanley, son of an old friend of mine. I have just made a contract with
+him to go treasure hunting up in Alaska."
+
+"Treasure hunting! In Alaska! Oh, dad! Can I go?"
+
+"I expected that," said Mr. Baxter dryly. "Do you think you can stand
+the pace, Jerry?"
+
+"Of course, dad. Wasn't I with you in Hudson Bay last year?"
+
+"That's so; you were. Well, I reckon you can go. Now let's get down to
+business."
+
+Mr. Baxter introduced his son to Fred, and the three were soon deeply
+interested in arranging for the prospective expedition. As an old miner
+and hunter, Mr. Baxter knew just how to set about fitting out the party
+and about what it would cost.
+
+"Are we three the only ones going?" asked Jerry.
+
+"No, I think we'll need another man," said his father. "We'll have hard
+work, and those Alaskan Indians are not the most pleasant customers in
+the world. With another man I'll feel safer. But leave that to me.
+
+"Now, Fred, I think the best thing for you to do would be to go home and
+get your outfit ready. I'll tell you what you'll need in the way of
+clothing. That is, the ordinary garments. Of course, those for use in
+the cold--the fur garments--I'll supply with the rest of the things.
+I'll get the guns, ammunition, picks, shovels and all that. We'll have
+to take a warm tent along, for I think we'll have to do some camping
+out."
+
+"When can we start?" asked Fred.
+
+"It will take about two weeks to get everything in shape. In the
+meanwhile don't talk too much about the trip. The fewer that know about
+it the better it will be."
+
+"I'll be careful."
+
+"Now I'll write a list of what you can take from home and then you can
+go. I'd ask you to stay and spend a few days with us, only I'm going to
+be so busy that you wouldn't enjoy yourself. Give my regards to your
+father."
+
+Fred promised to do this, and then, with a list of the things he would
+need (none of which would have to be bought, he was glad to note, for he
+had them all at home) he took his departure.
+
+"Take good care of that map," cautioned Mr. Baxter. "If that's lost the
+whole expedition will be up the flume, as we miners used to say."
+
+"I'll be careful of it," replied Fred.
+
+Mr. Stanley was delighted with the success of Fred's visit to the old
+gold hunter. Then, for the first time, he really began to look on the
+trip to Alaska as a settled thing. Mrs. Stanley, also, who had been
+hoping that nothing would come of it, began to be alarmed. She spoke
+seriously to her husband when Fred was out of the house.
+
+"Do you really think, Norman," she said, "that it will be safe to let
+Fred make this trip?"
+
+"Well, my dear, why not?"
+
+"Oh, there are so many dangers. Think of the icebergs, the polar bears,
+the great sea lions, the terrible cold, and all that."
+
+"There are no icebergs to be met with on land, and I don't believe
+they'll meet with any wild animals worse than wolves or wild dogs.
+They're not to be feared as long as one has a gun. Of course it's bound
+to be cold, but Fred is hardy, and, with plenty of fur garments, he can
+be almost as comfortable as here at home. Then, my dear, you must think
+of the chance for making a large sum of money, and we need it very
+badly. It grieves me very much to see you sewing so often."
+
+"I shouldn't mind that in the least, Norman, if only we could keep Fred
+home."
+
+"Aside from the chance of finding the treasure, I am not sure but what
+it will be a good thing for the boy to go. It will teach him to rely on
+himself, and he will gain many new and valuable experiences. I know I
+can trust Mr. Baxter, who will take as good care of Fred as if he was
+his own son."
+
+"Are you sure of that?"
+
+"Positive. Besides, Fred and Jerry will be together, and they can help
+each other."
+
+"Well, I suppose he'll have to go then, but I wish he was safe back."
+
+"So do I, and with the treasure in gold. But don't worry."
+
+"I'll try not to, but I can't help it."
+
+Fred got his clothes together, and was waiting word from Mr. Baxter. The
+latter, as he informed Mr. Stanley in a letter, had not been idle. He
+had arranged for the passage of himself, his son, Fred, and a big
+colored man, named George Johnson, on a steamer sailing from San
+Francisco to an Alaskan port, and they were to start soon. Such supplies
+as they would have to take on the steamer were purchased, the remainder
+it was planned to buy in Alaska.
+
+Fred had told none of his acquaintances about the trip, merely stating
+that he was going on a journey. Mr. Baxter, on his part, was equally
+reticent, so, aside from the immediate families, and Mrs. Stults and
+her lawyer, no one was aware of the gold-hunting expedition.
+
+On the appointed day Mr. Baxter and his son Jerry called for Fred at the
+latter's home. George Johnson had gone on ahead to San Francisco in
+charge of the baggage.
+
+"Well, are you all ready?" asked the old gold hunter of Fred after
+greeting Mr. Stanley.
+
+"All ready, sir."
+
+"So are we. Our passage is booked in the steamer _Sea Lion_, a good
+name, I think. So, if you have everything packed, we'll start for San
+Francisco."
+
+Good-bys were said, Mrs. Stanley clasped her son in her arms and shed a
+few tears, though she tried to bear up, and then, with a waving of
+hands, the little party of adventurers was off for Alaska.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+AMID FROST AND ICE
+
+
+The railroad journey to San Francisco did not occupy a great while, and
+that same day Fred and his friends went aboard the _Sea Lion_ as she lay
+at her dock, waiting the stowing of the cargo before putting off for the
+frozen north.
+
+There was a big crowd aboard, for the stories of gold being found in
+that wonderful northern land were wilder than ever, and many thought
+they had but to take a trip there, walk along the coast, stuff their
+pockets with yellow nuggets and return wealthy forever. How different it
+was from this they soon found to their sorrow.
+
+But our young treasure hunter and his friends had no such delusions. Mr.
+Baxter was an old hand at the game, and, though he had been in Alaska
+but once before, he knew that any gold that was to be obtained by miners
+would be found only after hard work and much suffering. Hunting a
+treasure was different, and probably more hazardous and uncertain.
+
+George Johnson proved to be a big jolly colored man, used to hardships
+of all sorts, though he had never been very far north. He was of immense
+strength, which was the principal reason why Mr. Baxter had selected
+him.
+
+The ship was almost overcrowded, so great was the rush to the gold
+fields. On all sides was heard only talk of great "strikes," of finds of
+fabulous wealth, and of how men who barely had enough to buy an outfit
+and pay their way to Alaska had become millionaires in a night.
+
+"Don't believe all you hear," cautioned Mr. Baxter to his son and Fred.
+"If you do you'll go half crazy dreaming of gold."
+
+"Johnson is taking it all in," remarked Jerry.
+
+"Yes! If his eyes get much bigger they'll fall out of his head," added
+Fred. "One miner told him the streets in Nome were paved with gold, and
+he thinks all he has to do is to take up a few of the yellow blocks to
+make him rich."
+
+"That's the trouble with a new gold field," said Mr. Baxter. "They
+circulate wild stories about it. Of course there's lots of gold in
+Alaska. The thing is to find it. Fred, I hope you have that map safe?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Better let me have it. I think I can take better care of it than you
+can. If some one should steal it and get ahead of us we'd be in a queer
+pickle."
+
+"That's so, dad," spoke up Jerry. "I wonder how soon this steamer
+sails?"
+
+"Early to-morrow morning. That's why we came on board to-day. I don't
+like to get up early to catch a boat and run the chances of getting
+left."
+
+The four treasure hunters occupied one stateroom with four berths, as
+they wanted to be together.
+
+Fred was awakened in his berth the next morning by an uneasy motion. At
+first he could not understand what it was, but he soon knew that it was
+caused by the action of the waves on the ship.
+
+"Are we off?" he cried.
+
+"That's what we are," replied Mr. Baxter.
+
+Fred and Jerry dressed and hurried out on deck. They were out of sight
+of land, for the steamer had sailed before daybreak, and it was now
+about eight o'clock.
+
+"We're headed for Alaska!" cried Fred enthusiastically.
+
+"Aye, aye!" answered Jerry, sailor-fashion. "And there's no telling when
+we'll be coming back."
+
+"I don't want to until we get that treasure," went on Fred.
+
+"Hush! Don't speak about it," cautioned Jerry.
+
+At that moment a man, who, from a peculiarity in his look, was seen to
+have one glass eye, passed the two lads. He glanced sharply at Fred,
+and the boy regretted he had mentioned the treasure.
+
+"Do you think he heard me?" he asked Jerry in a low tone.
+
+"I'm afraid so. But I guess it doesn't matter. He can't know what you
+meant, and there is any amount of treasure in Alaska. Still, it's better
+not to speak of it on the ship."
+
+"I'll not after this. Say, this air makes me hungry."
+
+"Same here. Let's go to breakfast."
+
+Little happened on the days that followed. The _Sea Lion_ steamed
+steadily north, and the boys were not the only ones counting the days
+until they should arrive on the Alaskan coast, for there were many who
+were taking the voyage in the hope of bettering their fortunes.
+
+The man with the glass eye was frequently seen on deck, but, as Fred and
+Jerry were careful not to mention the treasure again, they paid little
+attention to him. Once the man, whose name Fred learned was Jacob
+Callack, tried to get into conversation with the lad.
+
+"You and your friends going to prospect or buy up some claims?" asked
+Callack.
+
+"Prospecting," replied Fred, for surely hunting for a buried treasure
+was "prospecting" for gold if anything was.
+
+"Whereabouts?"
+
+[Illustration: "The glittering pinnacles towered high in the air"
+
+_Page 57_]
+
+"We haven't quite decided," said Fred, truthfully enough, and then,
+seeing Mr. Baxter coming, he went to join him.
+
+"Oh, you think you'll throw me off the track," murmured the man with the
+glass eye as Fred left him. "But I'll find out yet. Jake Callack can see
+more with his one eye than some folks can with two. You can't lose me so
+easily as all that."
+
+As the days passed there was a noticeable change in temperature. The
+winter was just setting in, and winter in the northern regions means
+something very different from what it does in the United States.
+
+When Fred and Jerry came on deck one morning there was a sharper tang
+than usual in the air.
+
+"We'll sight ice to-day," remarked one of the sailors.
+
+"Do you mean an iceberg?" asked Fred.
+
+"That's what. I can tell by the smell. We'll sight a big one before
+night."
+
+The sailor proved a good prophet, and that afternoon the steamer passed
+an immense berg, the glittering pinnacles of which towered high into the
+air. The presence of it added to the cold, which was becoming sharper
+every hour.
+
+"Time to get out our fur garments, I guess," said Mr. Baxter that night,
+and from the baggage he had Johnson take out thick fur coats, caps and
+mittens, while heavy fur-lined boots were gotten in readiness for the
+journey on land, which would soon begin.
+
+If there had been confusion on the dock in San Francisco over the
+sailing of the ship, there was more when she arrived at her destination
+and proceeded to land the passengers and stores. The _Sea Lion_ went up
+the Yukon River as far as it was navigable for her and there docked.
+
+There was a settlement on shore, but even in the wildest mining region
+of California there was nothing to equal it.
+
+A fierce snowstorm the day before the ship arrived had covered
+everything with a coat of white. The cold was bitter, and even in their
+fur garments the little party of adventurers felt it keenly.
+
+On every side there was a rush and confusion. Almost as many as had come
+on the ship wanted to take passage back in her. Some had made their
+fortunes and were returning happy. Others had failed to find any gold,
+or had lost it by theft or gambling. Some had barely enough to pay their
+way home.
+
+There were only the rudest kind of shacks, which served for houses,
+stores and hotels.
+
+With the help of Johnson, whose great strength stood the travelers in
+good stead, the baggage of the four gold hunters was landed. It was
+piled up on the wharf, together with that of scores of other
+adventurers, for so great was the gold rush that there were no
+facilities for caring for freight as it should be.
+
+"What are we going to do, dad?" asked Jerry as he and Fred gazed in
+wonder at the scene of confusion about them.
+
+"Well, we'll see if we can't find quarters in some hotel, or what passes
+for one here. Then I'll have to see about getting guides and dog teams."
+
+"Are we going to travel with dogs and sledges like the Eskimos?" asked
+Fred.
+
+"That's about the only way we can travel where we're going," replied Mr.
+Baxter.
+
+"Let's discover the north pole while we're at it," suggested Jerry
+jokingly.
+
+"I'd rather discover a warm place where I could get something to eat,"
+remarked Fred.
+
+"Come along," invited Mr. Baxter. "If we don't hurry all the places in
+the hotels will be taken, and we'll have to camp out our first night
+here."
+
+Fred was scarcely able to realize that he was really in Alaska; that
+wonderful land of gold, of which he had heard so much, and which might
+hold for him a great treasure. Would they find it? Would they get it
+safely home?
+
+These were questions that came to the young treasure hunter, and he
+tried to find a hopeful answer to them as he followed Mr. Baxter and
+Jerry. As they turned away from the wharf, leaving Johnson in charge of
+their goods, the man with the glass eye arose from behind a pile of
+boxes.
+
+"I must keep my one good optic on you," he muttered. "I think you're up
+to something besides prospecting."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+INTO THE INTERIOR
+
+
+With all the assurance of an old campaigner Mr. Baxter made his way
+through the throng of miners and others, down the single street of the
+settlement which ran along the river until he saw a hotel he thought
+would answer. On making inquiries he found that there was only one room
+left.
+
+"We'll take it," he said promptly.
+
+"But, dad, can we four sleep in one room?" objected Jerry.
+
+"We'll have to, son, and we ought to be glad to get it. Many persons
+will have to sleep in tents while this rush is on. How much is the
+room?" he asked the clerk.
+
+"Thirty dollars a day."
+
+"Thirty dollars a day!" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"Yes, and if you don't want it say so," snapped the clerk. "There are
+plenty that do."
+
+"Oh, we'll take it," said Mr. Baxter quickly. "That's cheap, according
+to some prices they're asking," he added. "When ordinary meals are five
+dollars each, the cost of living soon runs up."
+
+"But if our expenses are going to be so high, how can we stand it until
+we discover the----" began Jerry.
+
+"Hush!" interrupted Mr. Baxter. "Don't say a word about what we're
+after. There are too many rascals in this locality. I'll manage about
+the expenses."
+
+"But meals at five dollars each!"
+
+"Don't worry. We'll not pay that long. The prices are high because there
+is a big crowd just in off the steamer, and the dealers want to make hay
+while the sun shines. Things will go down in a day or so, when the
+miners begin to travel into the interior."
+
+"But won't it cost a lot to buy our provisions at that rate?"
+
+"It would if we had to buy them, but I brought them along with me. We
+will have to buy very little. The principal things we will need are
+dogs, sledges and guides for a certain distance. We will stay here a day
+or so until I can arrange about them, and then we will start for the
+interior."
+
+Mr. Baxter had signed his own name and those of the two boys on the
+hotel register, and had taken them into a comparatively quiet corner to
+impart this information.
+
+"Now, Jerry," he said, "if you and Fred will go help Johnson get our
+stuff up here to our room, I'll go see if I can hire some guides and
+sledges. Pile the stuff right in our room. That's the only place it will
+be safe. We'll have to rough it for a night or so, but we can stand it,
+I guess. My, but it's getting cold out," he added as he glanced from the
+window at a thermometer hanging on the side of the hotel.
+
+"How much?" asked Fred.
+
+"Twenty-two degrees below zero."
+
+"Twenty-two below!"
+
+"That's nothing. Wait until it goes to forty and fifty below. Then the
+mercury in the ordinary thermometer freezes solid, and only spirit
+gauges are of any use. Then you'll feel the cold. There is no wind,
+fortunately, or you'd notice it even in here, with the big stove going."
+
+They had taken off their fur garments while in the warm hotel, but, as
+Fred and Jerry had to go out to see about their goods, they donned them
+again.
+
+It was getting dark, for, though it was early, the winter season had
+begun, when the sun would shine but for a little time each day, and
+farther north not at all for six long months.
+
+"I should say it was cold!" exclaimed Fred when he and Jerry were
+outside. The keen air cut his face like a knife, and he was thankful for
+the thick fur garments, the heavy fleece-lined boots, and the big
+mittens he wore. Burying his face down below the collar of his coat, an
+example which Jerry followed, Fred started back to the steamer dock,
+while Mr. Baxter went off to see about getting guides and sledges.
+
+The boys found Johnson still on guard, but the colored man was racing up
+and down to get warm, and whipping his long arms about his body to keep
+up the circulation.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Jerry with a laugh.
+
+"Matter, Massa Jerry? Why, it feel laik somebody done gone an' stick a
+icicle down mah back, that's what it do, fo' suah! It suttinly am
+terrible cold."
+
+"Well, you'll soon be warm," spoke Fred. "We're going to take the things
+to a hotel."
+
+"A real hotel, where dey has real things t' eat, Massa Fred?"
+
+"Yes, real things to eat. They charge five dollars a meal."
+
+"Five dollars a meal! Den I reckon dis coon'll git a small po'tion ob
+dessert fo' his share," and the colored man laughed so heartily that he
+felt no necessity of whipping his arms about.
+
+"Well, come on, let's see if we can't hire a small truck and wheel our
+stuff up," suggested Jerry. They were able to, but they had to pay a
+good price for the little vehicle, which they got from one of the men on
+the dock. Indeed, it seemed that you had almost to pay the weight of
+anything in gold in Alaska, as there were so many who wanted the same
+article.
+
+It took several trips by the boys and Johnson to get all the things to
+the hotel. There was quite a quantity of canned stuff, plenty of bacon,
+sugar and tea, for those are staple articles of diet in cold countries,
+arms and ammunition for all four, an extra supply of fur garments and
+sleeping bags, a heavy tent, a portable alcohol stove, cans of alcohol
+for fuel, and other needful supplies.
+
+It was quite dark when they had everything in their room, and there was
+little space left to lie down. There were four cots in the apartment,
+and no bedclothes of any kind, but they expected to sleep in most of
+their clothes because of the cold. Mr. Baxter came back in time for
+supper, and it must be said, in spite of the high prices for meals, they
+were not very good. There was no use of finding fault, however, as there
+were others only too anxious to get the accommodations our travelers had
+secured at the hotel.
+
+"Did you get the dogs, sleds and guides, dad?" asked Jerry when they had
+gathered to look over their supplies that night in their room.
+
+"Yes, but I had to pay higher than I calculated on. It seems there has
+been a new strike made, and there is a great rush of miners to it.
+Guides can get whatever pay they ask, and as for dogs and sleds, you
+might almost as well buy them as hire them, only no one will sell. But I
+guess we'll get along."
+
+"When do we start for the for----" began Fred.
+
+"Fred, you must be more careful," cautioned Mr. Baxter in a whisper.
+"Don't mention the word treasure," he added in a low voice. "These
+hotels are constructed in a very flimsy manner, and what is said in one
+room can be heard in another. If any one gets an idea we are after a
+store of hidden gold we may be followed by some rascals who would try to
+steal it from us. There is practically no law in this country yet. We'll
+have to wage our own battles, and I don't want to get into a fight with
+any desperadoes, of whom there are many here, only too anxious to take
+advantage of any one who has gold."
+
+"I'll be more careful," Fred promised. "When are we to start for the
+interior?"
+
+"To-morrow afternoon. It will take us until then to get the dogs and
+sleds here and have our stuff packed for the trip. I have also to buy a
+few more supplies. Now I advise you three to stay in the room until I
+return. I have to go out to transact a little business, and this
+settlement is not a nice place for boys after dark. I'll leave you in
+Johnson's care."
+
+"An' if anybody tries t' do any funny work, I'll squeeze 'em laik a
+grizzly bear!" threatened the colored man, stretching out his long,
+powerful arms.
+
+The cold to which they had been exposed made the boys sleepy, and they
+soon dozed off. Johnson likewise fell into a slumber, from which he was
+awakened by a pounding on the door.
+
+"Who's dat?" he asked suspiciously.
+
+"It's me. Mr. Baxter," answered the old gold hunter. "I guess I'll turn
+in now. Everything is all ready for to-morrow."
+
+They all slept soundly, though there was much noise and excitement all
+night, for a lawless element was abroad, and there were several shooting
+affrays among the gamblers and miners, but fortunately no one was
+seriously hurt.
+
+Soon after breakfast, which was not much of an improvement on the
+supper, a sled arrived with some supplies which Mr. Baxter had purchased
+at one of the stores. The things were piled up outside the hotel,
+together with the goods they had brought from San Francisco, and a
+little later several Alaskan Indians, driving four dog teams, attached
+to long, low wooden sleds, came down the snow-covered street.
+
+"That's our outfit," announced Mr. Baxter. "I see Holfax is on time."
+
+"Who's Holfax?" asked Fred.
+
+"He's the chief guide, and seems a fairly decent chap. I can't say as
+much for the others."
+
+Certainly none of them would have taken a prize in a beauty contest.
+They were typical Alaskan Indians, short and stout, not too clean, but
+of that one could not judge very well, for they were so wrapped up in
+furs that only their noses and eyes were visible.
+
+There were eight Indians, two in charge of each sled, to each of which
+was fastened eight dogs by thongs of reindeer hide. The animals were
+snarling and snapping in an ugly manner, and the Indian drivers called
+harsh words to them, or struck them with the long lash of the whip,
+which they used with great skill, being able to touch a particular dog
+on any available spot from the farthest end of the sled.
+
+"Load up, Holfax," ordered Mr. Baxter, indicating the goods.
+
+"We load. Pretty soon go quick," replied the head Indian. Then he called
+something to his companions in the native tongue, and they began to lash
+the supplies on the sleds.
+
+"Are we going to ride or walk?" asked Fred.
+
+"Ride," answered Mr. Baxter. "There are only four Indians going with us.
+The rest came merely to help load, as that is a matter which must be
+carefully attended to. The dogs will be able to pull two persons on each
+sled, in addition to the load. I am afraid we are going to be in for
+some cold weather. The thermometer is still going down. It's thirty
+below zero now. Be careful not to expose your fingers, boys, or they'll
+be frozen inside of five minutes. And look out for the end of your
+nose."
+
+The loading was rapidly proceeded with, quite a crowd of men gathering
+to see the expedition leave. It was no great novelty, but one so well
+equipped and so large did not often start from that settlement. When the
+last package had been lashed on the sleds, and when Mr. Baxter, Johnson
+and the boys, with their rifles under their arms, were ready to get on,
+a man came strolling up the street. He was the man with a glass eye,
+though his face was so deep down in his fur collar that this defect
+could hardly be seen.
+
+"Off for the gold region?" he asked Mr. Baxter, and at the sound of the
+voice Fred knew the man was the same one who had questioned him on the
+ship--Jake Callack.
+
+"Yes, we're off prospecting, stranger."
+
+"Well, good luck."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"Get on, boys," said Mr. Baxter, taking his place.
+
+Fred, Jerry and Johnson sat on the big sleds in little hollows left at
+the rear when the goods were packed on. Mr. Baxter did likewise. The
+Indian drivers sitting in front yelled to the dogs and cracked their
+long whips. At that moment the man with the glass eye leaned over and
+said something in a whisper to Zank, one of the guides, the one on the
+leading sled, on which rode Johnson.
+
+The Indian looked up, nodded, and then, with a louder yell to his dogs,
+set them off at a fast pace. The treasure hunters were on their way to
+the interior after the store of buried gold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+ATTACKED BY WOLVES
+
+
+After a careful examination of the map, which he had studied while
+aboard the ship, Mr. Baxter decided that the treasure had been hidden by
+Stults in a certain mountain range about three hundred miles away from
+the settlement where they had outfitted. These mountains lay in a
+northwesterly direction from the town, and were in a desolate region,
+where, now that winter had set in, there was much snow and ice.
+
+It was Mr. Baxter's plan to proceed to this mountain range by the most
+direct way and then to make a camp. From this camp, after a more careful
+study of the map, while actually in the region it referred to, he could
+start out after the treasure. Just where it was located of course he did
+not know. The map showed a small stream flowing down the side of the
+mountain, and there was a waterfall about midway of the course. It was
+near this fall that Stults said he had hidden the gold in a natural
+cave.
+
+But, as he had buried it during the summer, and as a winter scene is
+very different from a summer one, and as the stream would be frozen and
+probably covered from sight with snow, finding the gold was not going to
+be a very easy task, Mr. Baxter feared.
+
+The dogs drew the party swiftly onward, for, though the sleds were
+heavily laden, the runners slipped easily over the frozen surface. It
+was becoming colder, and the wind created by their speed cut into the
+faces of the travelers.
+
+The Indians did not seem to mind the wind, but kept yelling and shouting
+to their dogs, urging them to still faster speed. Perhaps this shouting
+and the swinging of the long whips kept the Alaskans warm. But Mr.
+Baxter, the boys and the colored man felt the cold very much in spite of
+their thick garments as they sat on the sleds.
+
+"I should think those Indians would freeze down inside, they keep their
+mouths open so much, shouting," remarked Fred.
+
+"It is a wonder they don't," agreed Jerry. "Whenever I open my mouth it
+feels as if some one had stuffed an icicle in."
+
+"By the way, boys," said Mr. Baxter as his sled came opposite Fred's and
+Jerry's, "did it strike you that there was anything familiar about that
+man who wished us good luck as we were coming away?"
+
+"Yes, he's the man with the glass eye who tried to get some information
+from me while we were on the ship," answered Fred.
+
+"I thought so."
+
+"And I think he said something to the driver of Johnson's sled," went on
+Fred.
+
+"That's what I thought, too," said Jerry's father. "I wonder what it
+meant? I don't like that man's actions. I hope we can trust our guides."
+
+"Why, are they liable to do us any harm?" asked Fred.
+
+"Well, there are good Alaskan Indians and bad ones. I tried to hire good
+ones, but there are many thieves among them, and, now that they know the
+value of gold, they are as wild after it as any white men."
+
+"Do you think you can trust our men?"
+
+"I hope so. I am sure Holfax is all right, for he was recommended to me
+by an old miner whom I know. As for the others, I'll have to be on the
+lookout."
+
+"Johnson's driver seems to be hanging back, as if he wanted to find out
+what we are talking about," said Fred suddenly.
+
+"So he does. Holfax," said Mr. Baxter quickly, "make go fast--run dogs,"
+and he motioned to Zank, whose team of snarling animals was going very
+slowly.
+
+Holfax, who was in charge of the other Indians, called out something.
+Zank answered in what seemed to be angry tones, but he shouted to his
+dogs, and once more they took the lead.
+
+"We'll have to watch that fellow," murmured Mr. Baxter.
+
+Their way now lay over a small range of hills, and as they got on top
+the cruel cold smote them more and more. The day was a cloudy one, and
+the wind sprang up, sending the dry snow in stinging particles into
+their faces.
+
+"My feet haven't any more feeling in them," said Fred at length, "and my
+hands are like wooden ones."
+
+"Is that so?" asked Mr. Baxter quickly. "Then you must get off and run a
+bit. Your circulation is going back on you, and you'll be frost-bitten
+if you don't look out. We'll all get off and run beside the sleds. That
+will warm us up. In about an hour we will stop and have tea."
+
+"I should think coffee would be better," suggested Fred.
+
+"Tea is the best drink in all cold countries," replied the old gold
+hunter. "Coffee is too stimulating, but tea warms you up without doing
+any harm. In Russia, when a man gets chilled through, he will often
+drink seventeen or eighteen glasses of hot tea, one right after the
+other. They use glasses instead of cups there."
+
+"I guess one or two will be all I can stand," replied Jerry. "I'm no
+great hand for tea."
+
+"You'll like it up here," said his father, and he was right.
+
+Mr. Baxter called to Holfax to stop the dog teams, and the four
+travelers got off. They were all so cold and stiff they could hardly
+stand, but a little motion soon started the blood to circulating, and
+they felt better. The dogs were driven at a slower pace, and the gold
+hunters ran alongside of the sleds.
+
+When thoroughly warmed through Mr. Baxter called a halt and got out the
+alcohol stove to make tea. For water they used melted snow, and then Mr.
+Baxter cautioned the boys and Johnson against ever eating snow or ice
+when thirsty. It would cause sore mouths, he said, and they would suffer
+great pain.
+
+It seemed rather strange to sit down out of doors in that icy region and
+drink hot tea, but every one admitted that it was an excellent drink.
+Then the journey was resumed until a sudden increase in the gloom warned
+the travelers that night was coming on.
+
+"We'll make camp now," said Mr. Baxter, and he gave the orders to
+Holfax.
+
+The Indians drew the sleds up in the form of a square, and when robes
+were spread over them, this would form their shelter. As for the
+others, the tent was erected, snow being piled around the bottom to
+keep out the wind. Then, when the alcohol stove was set up inside and a
+simple meal started, the place was more warm and cozy than one would at
+first suppose was possible.
+
+"Why, I believe it's warm enough to take off our fur coats," said Fred.
+
+"Yes, you can do that," spoke the old miner. "We'll get into our
+sleeping bags soon."
+
+The Indians were expert in making camp, and soon the dogs were tethered
+off to one side, and were snarling and snapping over their supper of
+frozen seal blubber. After that they burrowed down under the snow to
+keep warm.
+
+"I guess we're in for a cold spell," remarked Mr. Baxter as he looked at
+the thermometer he had hung outside the tent. "It's forty-one below now,
+but the wind doesn't blow, and that makes it better. With a stiff gale
+now we'd be in a bad way."
+
+"Is it liable to get any colder?" asked Fred.
+
+"It's liable to, but I hope it doesn't. This is all I want."
+
+There was nothing to do but to go to bed, which they were glad enough to
+do, as they would be warm in the sleeping bags. Seeing that the tent was
+securely fastened, and that their rifles were ready at hand, Mr. Baxter
+turned in. The boys were already asleep, for cold has the effect of
+making one drowsy.
+
+It was long after midnight when Fred was awakened by a series of loud
+howls outside the tent. At the same time Mr. Baxter and Jerry sat up.
+
+"What's that?" asked Fred.
+
+"The dogs must have gotten loose and want something to eat," said Jerry.
+
+"Those are not dogs," replied Mr. Baxter. "I know those howls only too
+well."
+
+"What are they?" asked Fred.
+
+"A pack of wolves. Boys, get your rifles ready. Unless I'm mistaken
+we're going to have trouble. The animals are probably wild with hunger,
+and have gotten scent of our camp."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+SHOOTING A MOOSE
+
+
+It was the work of but an instant for the travelers to slip on their big
+fur coats, and they were ready to go outside, for going to bed in the
+arctic regions is more a process of dressing than undressing, and they
+had lain down with even more clothes on than they wore during the day.
+
+Mr. Baxter, kicking his sleeping bag to one side, loosed the fastenings
+of the tent and stepped out. He was followed by Fred and Jerry, Johnson
+coming last.
+
+Fred was not prepared for the wonderful sight that met his gaze. At
+first he thought he had been transported back to his own home, and that
+a Fourth of July celebration was in progress. The sky was streaked with
+long streamers of colored fire that waved and undulated to and fro,
+beginning at the horizon and extending to the zenith.
+
+"The Northern Lights!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter.
+
+Then Fred understood that he had looked for the first time on the
+wondrous and beautiful Aurora Borealis.
+
+Suddenly the peacefulness of the night was once more broken by the
+fierce howls, and this time they were answered by the sled dogs, who,
+raising their sharp muzzles in the air, sent their answering challenge
+to the wolves.
+
+"There they are!" cried Fred, pointing to a dark mass on the white,
+snowy expanse. "They're headed this way."
+
+"Are your rifles ready?" asked Mr. Baxter. "We'll probably have to fight
+them off."
+
+"Will they attack us?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Wolves have to be in large numbers or desperate with hunger before they
+will tackle a man," said his father. "Especially where there is such a
+large number as there are of us. But they may fight with our dogs and
+injure them, and that would be the worst thing that could happen to us,
+as we have to depend entirely on the dogs for traveling here."
+
+"They are coming closer," remarked Fred.
+
+"Yes. It's curious the Indians don't awaken. I think I'll call them."
+
+Mr. Baxter stepped toward the enclosure of sleds, tipped on their sides,
+which formed the Indians' camp. There was a small fire burning in the
+center, and grouped around it, with their feet toward the embers, were
+the dog-drivers. They were huddled up in their fur blankets, sound
+asleep. Holfax said afterward that it takes more than the howling of
+wolves to awaken an Alaskan Indian tired out with a day's work.
+
+But at a call from Mr. Baxter the four guides sat up suddenly. They did
+not need to be told what the matter was, for the wolves were now quite
+close, and were howling fiercely, while the dogs were trying to break
+the thongs that held them, so that they might seek a place of safety.
+
+For, though an Alaskan or Eskimo dog is really a species of wolf, it is
+no match in a fight for the wilder creature.
+
+In a few minutes the Indians had the dogs safely inside the square of
+sleds, and not a moment too soon, for the foremost of the pack of wolves
+snapped at the heels of Holfax as he led the last dog in.
+
+"Now, boys, let them have it!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter as he fired his
+repeating rifle several times into the midst of the ravenous pack. There
+were howls of pain, and several forms stretched out on the snow told how
+effective had been his aim.
+
+Jerry and Fred fired together, and Johnson coming to their help, they
+had four rifles to turn against the savage creatures.
+
+It was a wild scene, encamped there as they were on that dreary expanse
+of snow, with the mysterious Northern Lights flashing overhead, giving a
+weird illumination, the snarling wolves fairly surrounding the tent,
+and the frightened Indians guarding the whimpering dogs.
+
+It did not need an expert marksman to find a target in that pack. There
+must have been at least fifty wolves in it, and their hunger had made
+them exceedingly daring. They leaped against the sleds, and tried with
+their keen teeth to bite through the lashings to get at the frozen fish
+and seal blubber which formed the rations for the dogs.
+
+"Give 'em some more!" cried Mr. Baxter. "They are coming closer!"
+
+Indeed some of the wolves had actually invaded the tent, hoping to find
+something to eat there. The rifles cracked, the wolves howled and the
+dogs yelped, while the Indians called to one another in their harsh
+tongue, asking if their white masters would be able to drive off the
+foe.
+
+Fred and Jerry were firing as fast as they could work the ejection
+levers and triggers of their guns. At first they did not notice the
+cold, but after a few shots the piercing frost began to numb their
+fingers, for they had taken off their big, heavy mittens, which made it
+impossible to work their guns, and had on only light gloves.
+
+"My fingers are too stiff to pull the trigger!" exclaimed Fred as he
+vainly tried to fire another shot. "They feel like pieces of ice."
+
+"So do mine," added Jerry.
+
+"Give 'em one more volley and I think we'll scatter 'em," called Mr.
+Baxter as he and Johnson fired again.
+
+The boys managed to do it, though the cold, which was intense, was
+making itself felt more and more. But the tide had turned. More than
+half the wolves had been killed and a number wounded, for it was
+impossible to miss, firing into the midst of the pack as they did. With
+snarls of baffled rage the remainder of the fierce creatures withdrew to
+some distance, and, sitting down on their haunches, howled dismally,
+with their muzzles lifted in the air toward the flickering Aurora
+Borealis. The dogs howled back in answer, and then, after a few shots at
+long distance, the battle was ended. The wolves turned tail and trotted
+off across the snow-covered waste.
+
+"It's lucky we heard them in time," commented Mr. Baxter, "or they might
+have been the means of depriving us of all our dogs. Then we would have
+had to give up the expedition for the time being."
+
+As it lacked several hours to morning, and as every one was cold, Mr.
+Baxter had Johnson make a big pot of tea, some of which was served to
+the Indians. The beverage warmed every one up, and then the treasure
+hunters once more crawled into the sleeping bags, where they remained
+until the sun, coming just a little way up, told them another day had
+begun. The sun did not rise very high, and the day was of short
+duration, but the Aurora Borealis at night partly made up for the short
+visits of Old Sol.
+
+Breakfast was a short meal, as indeed were all the ones that they had in
+that cold clime, for it is not pleasant to linger sitting down with the
+thermometer hovering around thirty below zero. The dogs, who always
+seemed ravenous, were tossed some frozen whitefish, which they bolted
+almost whole. Then the harness was adjusted, the sleds looked to and the
+start made.
+
+Though the dogs were capable of great speed and endurance, even while
+pulling the heavy sleds, which each contained a load of over four
+hundred pounds, Mr. Baxter had given orders that the animals were not to
+be driven to their utmost. He wanted to be sure of reaching his
+destination and getting back.
+
+It was about noon when, having passed through a gloomy stretch of
+woodland, they came out on a vast, level snow-plain which seemed to
+stretch away for many miles. At the farther end was a low range of
+mountains.
+
+"Those are the mountains we are headed for," said Mr. Baxter in a low
+voice to the two boys. "There is where we will begin to search."
+
+They knew by that he meant that was where the treasure might be hidden.
+
+Suddenly Fred, whose sled was in advance, uttered a cry, and pointed to
+what seemed like a black rock on the snow.
+
+"What is it?" called Mr. Baxter.
+
+"A moose! A big moose! I'm going to have a shot at it!"
+
+As he spoke Holfax gave a cry, and the dogs of all the sleds stopped.
+Fred was busy loosening the fur robe that covered him in order to get
+up.
+
+"Take the snowshoes!" advised Mr. Baxter.
+
+The driver of Fred's sled must have understood, for he handed the boy a
+pair of the contrivances which enable one to walk on top of soft snow.
+Fred, with the Indian's aid, quickly adjusted them. By this time the
+moose, which had been nosing under the snow to get the mosses which grow
+there, and on which it feeds, lifted its immense head with the sweeping
+horns.
+
+"Oh! He's a beauty!" cried Fred. "I wonder if I can get him?"
+
+"I'll help!" cried Jerry.
+
+"No, let Fred see if he can't get it alone," advised Mr. Baxter.
+
+With a snort the big animal was off, but the snow was deep, and it sank
+down at every step. Holding his rifle in readiness, Fred glided forward
+on the snowshoes. They gave him a great advantage over the beast, for
+otherwise he would not have been able to get anywhere near it.
+
+As it was, even with sinking to its shoulders at every plunge, the big
+brute was slowly distancing the boy. Fred determined on a long shot, for
+he was a fair marksman. Taking as good aim as he could in the excitement
+of the moment, he fired.
+
+The moose plunged on.
+
+"You've missed!" cried Jerry.
+
+Fred fired once more. But there was no need. By great good luck his one
+bullet had reached a vital spot, and a moment later the big moose sank
+down in the snow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+LOST IN THE SNOW
+
+
+With shouts of joy at the prospect of plenty of fresh meat, the Indians
+leaped from the sleds, donned showshoes, and were soon at the side of
+the dead moose. Mr. Baxter, Jerry and the colored man followed.
+
+"Yo' suah am a good shot, Massa Fred," complimented Johnson. "I once
+shot a wild turkey, an' goodness, I was so puffed up I hardly knowed
+mahself."
+
+"I guess it was more due to good luck than anything else that I hit
+him," said Fred modestly.
+
+"Well, it's just in time for dinner," remarked Mr. Baxter. "It will be a
+welcome relief from the canned stuff."
+
+"I'se gwine t' look out fo' suthin' t' shoot after dis," announced
+Johnson. Absent-mindedly he had taken off his heavy mittens to feel of
+the antlers of the moose, and without thinking what he was doing, he
+took hold of his rifle barrel in his bare hand. The next instant he
+uttered a howl of anguish.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Baxter quickly.
+
+"Mah hand! It's froze fast t' mah gun! Ah cain't git it off!"
+
+This was true. So intense was the cold that the moment the colored man
+placed his warm and somewhat moist hand on the steel the flesh had
+frozen fast. This is a common occurrence in the far north, and
+travelers, knowing it, are careful never to grasp anything of metal in
+their bare hands. But the colored man, though he had been warned against
+this, had forgotten it.
+
+"Quick! Put some snow on and then wrap his hand up in a blanket!" called
+Mr. Baxter. "He'll lose a finger or two if we don't."
+
+It was the work of but an instant for Fred to scoop up some snow in his
+big mitten, place it over the negro's hand and part of the rifle barrel
+and then throw a fur robe over his whole arm, thus shutting out the
+terrible cold for a moment. The treatment was effective, the snow melted
+the ice between Johnson's hand and the metal, and in a few seconds the
+hand had thawed loose.
+
+"It done feel jest laik a burn," remarked Johnson as he drew on his
+mitten again.
+
+"Yes, intense cold such as we are now in does feel for a moment almost
+like heat to the naked flesh," said Mr. Baxter. "Let this be a lesson to
+all of us. We must exercise the greatest care, or some of us will have
+frost-bitten hands or feet, to say nothing of our noses."
+
+By this time the Indians were skinning and cutting up the moose. It
+would have been hard work in a region where everything froze solid
+almost the minute life left it, but Holfax and his men built a big fire,
+and in the warmth of that they worked. Every one had a good dinner, even
+the dogs, who feasted to their hearts' content on moose meat. Some was
+left to freeze, to be packed on the sleds for future use.
+
+Once more they started the dogs northward, the day soon coming to a
+close, as the short-lived sun went down, and the Northern Lights began
+to play.
+
+Their camp that night was not disturbed by any wolves, and they made an
+early start the next day, coming a few miles nearer to the mountains
+which they hoped held the store of buried gold.
+
+As they approached a region where the going would be hard, for it was
+mostly up hill, Mr. Baxter decided to make a camp where they could
+remain a day or so to give the dogs a chance to rest. Some of the
+animals had sore feet, where they had been cut by the sharp ice, and, as
+the dogs were their only means of transportation, it was necessary to
+take good care of them.
+
+Accordingly they stopped that afternoon on the edge of a big wood which,
+Holfax said, would take them two days to get through. It was a gloomy
+forest, stretching for miles and miles throughout the heart of Alaska,
+and beyond it lay the mountain range where Stults, the German hunter,
+had been pursued by the fierce Indians, to escape from whom he had
+hidden his gold.
+
+The tent was put up for the adventurers, and the Indians made themselves
+a shelter of the sleds, heaping snow up around them and spreading
+blankets across the top. Then, with a good fire, there was more comfort
+than at first would seem possible to get in a country where, at that
+season, it was seldom warmer than ten or fifteen degrees below zero.
+
+They slept better that night than they had any previous one since
+starting on their land journey, for the terrible cold had somewhat
+abated. The next day the sun shone brightly, and the two boys decided to
+take a little trip for exercise, since sitting on a sled, weighted down
+by fur robes, had made their muscles stiff.
+
+They put on their snowshoes, and with their rifles started off. They
+hoped they might see another moose, or a musk ox, or, at least, an
+Arctic fox, at which to take a shot.
+
+"Don't go too far," cautioned Mr. Baxter. "There's no telling when a
+snowstorm may come up, and you can lose your way very easily up here."
+
+They started off, and, as Holfax had said it was rather dangerous to go
+into the forest because of the numbers of fierce wolves that might be
+there, they moved southward across the plain over which they had just
+come.
+
+The sun shone brightly on the snow, which was unrelieved by a single
+dark object. It was one vast extent of dazzling white.
+
+At first it was beautiful, so still and quiet, and with the sun up there
+was some relief from the piercing cold, that even seemed to strike
+through their thick garments. But there was a danger they did not know
+about.
+
+"See tracks of anything?" asked Fred when they had gone some distance
+and were out of sight of the camp, which was down in a sort of hollow.
+
+"No. Do you?"
+
+"Not a thing. Let's keep on a little farther."
+
+They walked on for perhaps another mile, their snowshoes making travel
+easy. But there was no sight of game. Not even a wolf showed itself.
+
+"Guess we'd better go back," remarked Fred at length. "There doesn't
+seem to be anything here. Say, my eyes smart something fierce. How about
+yours?"
+
+"Mine do, too. I wonder what it is?"
+
+"I don't know. Say, the sun must be going down. It's getting dark. We
+must have been out longer than we thought."
+
+"That's so. Come on back. My, but it's getting dark suddenly."
+
+"It certainly is. Why, Jerry, I can't seem to see anything! Where are
+you?"
+
+"Right here, but I can't see you. I wonder what the trouble is? Do you
+think there's going to be a blizzard?"
+
+Fred was waving his hand in front of his face. To his horror he could
+not see it. Before his eyes was nothing but blackness. Then he uttered a
+cry of fear.
+
+"What is it?" asked Jerry. "What's the matter? I can't see you, Fred."
+
+"Jerry!" cried the young treasure hunter. "We're blind!"
+
+"Blind?"
+
+"Yes, snow-blind. The sun shining on the snow has dazzled and blinded
+us, and we're lost, a long way from the camp!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+IN THE WILDERNESS
+
+
+Blindly groping about, the two boys located each other by the sounds of
+their voices.
+
+"We mustn't get separated," said Fred. "That would be terrible. Oh, how
+my eyes hurt!"
+
+"So do mine. It's just like once when some pepper blew in them. What
+shall we do?"
+
+"I don't know. We must think. Wait a minute. I'll take my belt and
+fasten it to yours. Then we can't lose each other, and we'll have our
+hands free," for in their despair the two lads were holding each other's
+hands.
+
+Fred held his gun between his knees that it might not sink down in the
+snow. Then he fastened his belt to Jerry's. Neither of the boys could
+see a foot in advance. It was just as if there was a black veil in front
+of their faces, and, though the sun shone brilliantly on the white snow,
+they could not distinguish it.
+
+"Now what shall we do?" asked Jerry. "Have you any idea which way the
+camp is?"
+
+"I remember that as we came away from it the wind was at our backs."
+
+"Then if we walk with the wind in our faces we ought to get somewhere
+near it."
+
+"That's so. Let's try it."
+
+Stepping out cautiously, for they could not see where they set their
+feet, the boys advanced. It was like walking in the darkest night.
+
+"Do you think they'll come to look for us?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Perhaps; but they won't think we're in this plight until quite late, if
+it ever does occur to them. Then it will be dark, and they can't see our
+tracks in the dark."
+
+"Maybe the Indians can."
+
+"Perhaps; but I doubt it."
+
+"Then what shall we do? If we have to stay out in the open all night
+we'll freeze to death. It's getting colder. I guess the sun must be
+going down."
+
+"I'm afraid so," replied Fred. He felt that, in a measure, he was
+responsible for Jerry's plight, as he had been instrumental in
+organizing the expedition. It was getting much colder, and the wind was
+almost as cutting as a knife blade. It whipped stinging particles of
+snow into their faces, but they dared not turn their heads aside, as, if
+they did, they feared they would never get anywhere near camp.
+
+"I have it!" cried Fred suddenly when they had proceeded cautiously some
+distance. "Why didn't we think of it before?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"Firing our guns! They may hear them in camp and come after us."
+
+"That's so. Here goes!"
+
+Jerry pointed his rifle in the air and pulled the trigger. The report,
+coming in that great stillness, sounded like a clap of thunder.
+
+"We'll take turns at it, firing every five minutes, as near as we can
+judge," said Fred. "That ought to tell them something is wrong with us."
+
+They put this plan into operation, walking slowly on in the intervals of
+firing as nearly in the direction of the camp as they could judge. They
+could see absolutely nothing save a sort of haze in front of their eyes,
+and, as the cold continued to increase, they knew the sun must have gone
+down.
+
+"Can you see the Northern Lights?" asked Jerry.
+
+"No. Can you?"
+
+"Not a thing. Go on, it's your turn to shoot."
+
+Following the report of Fred's gun they listened intently for an
+answering shot. None came. For an hour longer they walked on, firing by
+turns.
+
+"I have only three more cartridges left," announced Jerry at length.
+
+"And I have only two. This is getting serious. Maybe we're wandering
+away from the camp instead of toward it."
+
+"If we are, and have to stay out in the open all night, we'll have to
+burrow down under the snow, the way the dogs do. I guess----"
+
+"Hark! What's that?" asked Fred quickly.
+
+"It's a shot!"
+
+Fred quickly fired his rifle in answer.
+
+"There it goes again!"
+
+It was unmistakably a shot. Then Jerry fired, and again there came a
+response.
+
+"Let's yell," suggested Fred, and they united their voices in a shout.
+
+To their great relief they heard persons calling. The voices came
+nearer, and then they could distinguish Mr. Baxter's cry.
+
+"Boys! Boys! Are you all right?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"All right except that we're snow-blind!" replied Jerry.
+
+"Oh, I feared you had been attacked by a pack of wolves, Jerry," said
+his father. "And, Fred, are you all right?"
+
+"We're both blind!"
+
+"Well, that will pass away. I should have warned you to wear snow
+goggles. I did not think you were going so far from camp, and I did not
+realize that the sun was so strong on the snow. We began to get worried
+about you a while ago, so Holfax and I started out after you. We heard
+your shots, and traced you by them. It's a good thing you had your guns.
+But come on, I'll lead you back to camp."
+
+It did not take long to reach it, for the boys had been advancing in the
+right direction. They were warmed with many cups of hot tea, and after
+bathing their eyes in warm water their sight gradually came back, but
+they could not see well until the next morning.
+
+"After this you must wear goggles; we all will," said Mr. Baxter.
+"Holfax has some, made from wood."
+
+The goggles were queer affairs. They were merely pieces of wood, long
+enough to extend across the eyes, and wide enough to completely cover
+the optics. There was a narrow slit through which to look, an opening so
+narrow that only a little light penetrated through it. The goggles were
+fastened on with a piece of deer thong. Regular glasses, with metal
+rims, could not have been worn, as the great cold would have frozen them
+fast to the nose and face.
+
+"We start through the great wilderness to-morrow," said Mr. Baxter to
+the boys in the tent that night. "I have been studying the map," he
+added, after listening to see that none of the Indians were walking too
+close outside the shelter. "I think we are on the right trail, though,
+of course, we are too far off to tell exactly. I have a plan, of which
+I have not told you yet."
+
+"What is it?" asked Fred.
+
+"I am going to get rid of all the Indian guides, save one, and he is
+Holfax. I know I can trust him. The others, especially Zank, I believe
+are thieves, and very dishonest."
+
+"But can we get along with one?" asked Fred.
+
+"Yes. Holfax says he can take the leading dog team, and, attaching the
+other dogs to the head sled, he can pilot them all. In this way, when we
+reach the treasure, only one Indian, and, I believe, an honest one, will
+know about it. Thus we will not run such a chance of being robbed."
+
+"But what will you do with the three Indians you are going to
+discharge?" asked Jerry.
+
+"They will go off to join a branch of their tribe, that is encamped not
+far from here. I have spoken to Holfax about it, and he says they will
+only be too glad to go, as the remainder of the journey is very
+difficult. I am going to pay them off when we camp to-morrow night, and
+then we will shift for ourselves."
+
+"I hope we don't get lost again," remarked Fred.
+
+"No; after this no one must leave camp," said Mr. Baxter. "We will make
+that a rule."
+
+They started through the big wilderness the next day. The dogs, well
+rested, pulled the sleds at a good speed, though it was, most of the
+way, up a hard slope.
+
+It was still very cold, and the travelers burrowed down in the piles of
+robes on the rear parts of the sleds. The Indians did not seem to mind
+it, though they did not have on as many garments as did the adventurers.
+Johnson suffered more than did any of the gold-seekers, for he was of a
+race that loves warmth. But he did not complain, and, when he felt too
+cold he got off, put on his snowshoes, and ran alongside. At times he
+would help pull the sleds up some steep hill.
+
+When they made camp that night Mr. Baxter, through Holfax, as an
+interpreter, told the other three Indians he would no longer need their
+services. They seemed to take it as a matter of course, and their eyes
+shone greedily as they saw the bag of gold coins, from which Mr. Baxter
+took their pay. Only gold was used as money for the Indians.
+
+"I hope they will have no trouble finding their tribe," said the leader
+of the expedition to Holfax.
+
+"They know way," was the response. "They be in dis country many year."
+
+"Well, give them plenty to eat, some tea, meat, and some matches to
+build a fire," added Mr. Baxter, for each Indian carried with him a
+simple camping outfit, consisting, for the most part, of a pot in which
+to make tea, and a frying pan to warm meat in over an open fire.
+
+"Well, good-by," said Mr. Baxter, to the three who were leaving, though
+they did not understand very much English.
+
+"Goo'-by," responded Zank, with a leer that struck Fred as being rather
+ugly. "Me see you 'gin, maybe."
+
+"I don't believe so," said Mr. Baxter with a smile, but Fred thought of
+the whispered words between the man with the glass eye and the Indian. A
+vague feeling of uneasiness possessed the boy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE LOST MAP
+
+
+Slinging over their backs the packages of food which had been given
+them, the three Indians started away along the ridge of the first low
+range of mountains, to join their tribe. The gold-seekers thought they
+had seen the last of them, but they did not know what the future had in
+store for them, nor under what circumstances they were again to see the
+treacherous Alaskans.
+
+"Now we've got to rely a good bit on ourselves," said Mr. Baxter, when
+Zank and his two companions were out of sight. "Each one of us will have
+to do more work, but I think we will be better off. We are getting near
+to where Stults is supposed to have hidden the gold, and the fewer
+natives who know about it the better it will be."
+
+He had spoken before Holfax, and Fred's face must have shown the wonder
+he felt, for Jerry's father remarked:
+
+"Oh, Holfax knows what we are after. In fact we shall have to depend on
+him, in a measure, for he knows this country and the locality where we
+are going better than I do. I have told him about the map and about the
+treasure."
+
+"Me help to find it," replied the Indian with a grin. "But not good too
+many know. Some Indians bad. Me try be good."
+
+"Yes, you do try, and I think we can trust you," added Mr. Baxter. "Now
+then, we must make camp. I think we had all better sleep in the tent,"
+for it was not uncommon for white men and their negro, or Indian,
+helpers to occupy the same shelter in that cold country. The more
+persons in a tent the warmer it would be.
+
+But the Indian had his own ideas about this. He did not like to change
+his way of life, and he had been so long used to burrowing under the
+snow, in a warm fur robe, that he preferred that method still. So he
+declined the shelter of the tent.
+
+It was not as easy work as Mr. Baxter had thought it would be, to resume
+the journey the next day. The three dog teams, that were without
+drivers, seemed to know it, and got all tangled up in the harness,
+fighting among themselves, so it was some time before they could be
+separated, and fastened by long thongs to the sled in charge of Holfax.
+On this Mr. Baxter rode, in order to converse with the guide as to the
+best road to take.
+
+The two boys, and Johnson, were entrusted with the long whips the
+Indians had formerly used. They tried to handle them as had the natives,
+in guiding the teams, but they did not have much success.
+
+However, Holfax kept a watchful eye over the wolfish canines, and
+whenever one of the brutes was inclined to turn tail, and attempted to
+haul the sled backwards, the angry voice of the Alaskan would, with a
+sharp reminder from the whip, send the rebel back in line with its
+fellows.
+
+On and on they went, making slow progress because the trail was very
+poor. The second day after dismissing the three Indians they were
+enveloped in a blinding snowstorm, and they had to halt and make camp.
+It was terribly cold, so cold that a hot cup of tea would have a skim of
+ice over it in a minute after it was poured out. It seemed as if their
+very bones were frozen.
+
+But the next day the storm ceased, and they toiled on and on, the hope
+of the hidden gold luring them. Once a sled overturned, and the load was
+spilled off, necessitating an hour's halt.
+
+Again, one of the sled runners broke, going around a dangerous curve,
+and only the quickness of Fred, who leaped off and held on to the load
+by the thongs binding it, prevented it from toppling over into a deep
+ravine.
+
+It took some time to mend the sled runner, but Holfax was equal to the
+emergency, and, after a day's halt, they were able to proceed. But
+their troubles were not at an end. The dogs grew worse and worse, and
+were continually fighting among themselves. They did it so often that
+the party could only go a mile or two, before Holfax would have to stop,
+and run back to separate some of the savage animals, that seemed to
+become more and more like wolves the farther north they went.
+
+At last the Indian solved the problem by changing all the dogs about.
+With new team-mates, the animals seemed to get along better.
+
+One afternoon, just as they were about to go into camp, Johnson, who was
+riding on the sled containing most of the provisions, got off, intending
+to unharness his dogs, and tie them. No sooner was he off the sled than
+the beasts ran away with it.
+
+"Stop them! Catch them!" cried Mr. Baxter. "If they run away with that
+load we'll starve."
+
+Johnson needed no urging, but, as he had not put on his snowshoes, which
+were on the back of the sled, he plunged up to his thighs into a deep
+drift, and could make only slow progress, while the broad-runner sled
+skimmed over the frozen snow at top speed, pulled by the wild dogs.
+
+It looked serious for a few moments, but Holfax leaped on his sled, and
+with a word to his trained beasts, sent them after the runaways,
+rounding them up before they had gone more than a mile.
+
+"We're getting to the end of this wilderness," remarked Mr. Baxter,
+when the dogs had been driven back, and camp was in process of making.
+"By to-morrow night we ought to be through it."
+
+"Then where will we be?" asked Fred.
+
+"At the edge of a big plateau, according to Holfax. That plain leads to
+the second range of mountains, in which is located the waterfall, near
+the cave of which the gold is supposed to be buried."
+
+"I hope we find it," remarked Fred.
+
+"So do I," added Mr. Baxter. "If we don't we'll have had a lot of
+trouble and expense for nothing."
+
+Fred felt the responsibility that rested on him, but he knew he was
+taking the same chances as the others, though he was not risking as much
+as was Mr. Baxter.
+
+It was bitter cold that night. By the spirit thermometer it was nearly
+fifty degrees below zero, and, wrapped up as they were, in thick furs,
+with a great fire going outside the tent, and the alcohol stove lighted
+inside, the adventurers were nearly frozen. They had to get up every now
+and then, and stamp their feet and throw their arms about, in order to
+keep the blood in circulation.
+
+"Look at that," said Fred, as, in the glow from the alcohol stove, he
+pointed to a mercury thermometer they had with them. The little silver
+column had vanished from the tube, and the quicksilver was in a little
+globule at the bottom.
+
+"Yes, it's frozen solid," remarked Mr. Baxter. "You could use it for a
+bullet if you wanted to. Mercury freezes at forty degrees below zero."
+
+"Does alcohol ever freeze?" asked Jerry.
+
+"It has been frozen, with artificial cold, at two hundred and three
+degrees below zero, but we are not likely to reach that here. If it got
+much colder than this I'd want to turn back. But I guess we're about at
+the frostiest part of our trip."
+
+Hot tea served to make the travelers more comfortable, but even the
+effects of that wore off after a while.
+
+"I can understand now, how those Russians can drink seventeen or
+eighteen cups in succession," remarked Fred. "They have to do it almost
+constantly to keep from getting frozen stiff."
+
+"That's about it," admitted Mr. Baxter.
+
+They were all glad when morning came, and they had a glimpse of the sun,
+even if the golden ball was not so very heating. At any rate it was more
+cheerful than the long night, with the mysterious Aurora Borealis
+flashing in the sky.
+
+To make sure of the route for that day's travel Mr. Baxter got out the
+map, and he and Holfax examined it, before the dogs were hitched to the
+sleds.
+
+"I think we are really in the treasure district," said the old gold
+hunter, as he looked at the copy of the tracing made by the German.
+"Here is shown the end of the forest, and the great plain over which we
+have to go to get to the waterfall. Well, boys, we will be there in a
+day or two, now."
+
+"That's good," remarked Fred. "I'll be glad to get back to warm, sunny
+California again, where I can wear ordinary clothes."
+
+Mr. Baxter was returning the map to the fur case in which he carried it.
+On account of the heavy mittens he and all the adventurers had to wear,
+his hands were not very certain in their movements. When he had replaced
+the map in the case, he endeavored to slip the latter inside his fur
+coat, where he had a pocket in which it was kept.
+
+But his hand slipped, and the fur case, map and all fell to the
+snow-covered ground. An instant later, one of the big hungry dogs,
+doubtless thinking it was something to eat, rushed up and made a grab
+for it, carrying it away in its strong jaws, and snapping and snarling
+at its fellow brutes that tried to take away what they supposed was a
+choice morsel of seal blubber.
+
+"Catch him!" cried Mr. Baxter. "If he tears that case, and spoils the
+map, we'll never find the treasure!"
+
+"I'll git him!" cried Johnson, gliding on his snowshoes after the dog.
+But the brute saw him coming, and ran farther off.
+
+"Hold on, or I'll shoot you!" called the negro.
+
+"No, don't shoot!" cried Mr. Baxter. "If we lose even one dog it will go
+hard with us."
+
+"He's tearing the case!" yelled Fred.
+
+"The map is lost!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Me get him!" spoke Holfax, running up. "Me show how make dog drop map."
+
+It was a critical moment. In another instant the strong teeth of the dog
+would make the map undecipherable, and the trip would end disastrously.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+IN THE CAVE
+
+
+With a swift motion the Indian ran to the sled containing, among other
+things, the food for the dogs. He burrowed beneath the fur coverings,
+that were firmly lashed down, to prevent the animals eating all their
+supplies at one meal, and brought out several frozen fish. Now the
+Alaskan dog loves fish above everything else, and when Holfax had tossed
+several on the snow, there was a mad rush of the shaggy, wolf-like
+creatures to secure some.
+
+Even those dogs crowded around the one that had the map-case, ceased
+worrying him, and bolted to get a share of the good things so
+unexpectedly cast before them. The rush, and the sight of the fish, was
+too much for the canine thief. He dropped the map, and made a bolt for
+the fish.
+
+"Now git um," said Holfax, and Johnson, who was nearest, rushed forward
+and secured the precious document.
+
+"Is it injured?" asked Fred, as Mr. Baxter began to examine it.
+
+"No, I think not. I'll have to be more careful in the future. That dog
+nearly ate a fortune."
+
+Stowing the map securely away, Mr. Baxter helped the boys and Johnson
+strike the tent, and load the sleds for that day's trip. It was not as
+cold as it had been during the night, but there was a feeling of snow in
+the air.
+
+"Git plenty bad storm quick soon," remarked Holfax, as he again fastened
+the coverings on the provision sled.
+
+"Do you think we had better start then?" asked Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Bad here--bad there," replied the Indian, with a sweep of his arm
+toward the distant mountain range. "Bad all over--plenty bad--bad
+go--bad stay."
+
+"Then as long as we're going to be in for it one way or the other, we
+might as well start. Come, boys, are you ready?"
+
+"All ready, dad," mumbled Jerry from the depths of his fur collar.
+
+"How about you, Fred?"
+
+"My sled is all ready."
+
+"Then we'll start."
+
+The long whips cracked, Holfax gave his Indian yell to the dogs, they
+settled into their harness, and once more the sleds were being pulled
+northward. The dogs seemed to be in better humor after their unexpected
+meal of frozen fish, and they hauled well together.
+
+It was a bleak and cheerless landscape that lay before the travelers.
+The vast snow-covered plain stretched out before them, and, at their
+backs, was the desolate, black wilderness. Only the hope of gold kept
+their hearts stout.
+
+Over the hard crust scurried the dogs, their toe-nails scratching the
+hard ice. Occasionally they yelped or barked, probably in protest at
+being made to haul such heavy loads. But Holfax kept them at their
+tasks.
+
+As they advanced the day became dreary in the extreme. The sun was
+hidden by misty clouds, and the wind was cold and cutting. Then a few
+fine flakes of snow sifted down.
+
+"Storm come," remarked Holfax, tightening the robes about him.
+
+"Guess you're right," admitted Mr. Baxter. The moisture in the air,
+which preceded the storm, had, with his breath, condensed on his beard,
+and about his mouth was a ball of snow, as large as his two fists. He
+actually had to crush it off his beard before he could speak.
+
+Then with a sudden fury the snow came down in a blinding cloud. Only the
+fact that the four dog teams were fastened together by a long piece of
+deer hide prevented them from becoming separated in the fog of frozen
+crystals.
+
+"Can Holfax see to guide us?" shouted Fred, above the howl of the wind.
+
+"I guess so," answered Mr. Baxter. "We'll have to trust to him, anyhow."
+
+It was the worst weather they had yet met with, and it was all the
+Indian could do to induce the dogs to continue. It needed the spur of
+his long whip, and his angry voice, calling to them in strange words, to
+keep them on the trot.
+
+At last even the hardened Indian had to give it up. It was almost
+certain death to face that blast from the north any longer.
+
+"Got to camp!" shouted Holfax, above the roar of the gale, and he began
+to unharness the dogs.
+
+It was desperate work to get the tent up, but they managed to do it, and
+also to build a roaring fire of logs which the Indian dug out from under
+the snow with one of the shovels that had been brought along. Then, in
+the combined shelter of the tent and the upturned sleds, with a big pot
+of hot tea and some sizzling bacon, the gold hunters tried to forget
+their hardships.
+
+But it was not easy to do, and there were grave apprehensions that night
+whether they would not be frost-bitten before morning. The storm
+continued all the next day, and it was impossible to proceed. The dogs
+were buried from sight in big snowdrifts, and Holfax had one hand
+slightly frozen in digging them out to give them a feed of fish.
+
+But troubles cannot last so very long at a time, and on the morning of
+the third day the sun came out once more.
+
+"Forward!" cried Mr. Baxter. "We are nearing the place, Fred. In a
+couple of days we ought to be able to tell whether we are on a
+wild-goose chase or not."
+
+They crossed the big plain by the next night, and camped at the foot of
+the mountain range where the gold was supposed to be buried. Mr. Baxter
+consulted the map, and thought they had come very close to the trail
+down which Stults had made his way to the settlement, where he had
+related his strange story.
+
+By daylight Mr. Baxter's views were confirmed by Holfax, who closely
+examined the map. There was to be seen a tracing of a vast ravine, near
+which the party had made camp, and this ravine was one of the landmarks
+by which the place was known. Several expeditions, seeking the gold, had
+gotten thus far, but when they penetrated the mountains they lost all
+traces. Either the map was wrong, or they did not properly follow the
+directions. Would these fortune hunters have any better luck?
+
+Breakfast was hurriedly eaten, the dogs harnessed, and a start made.
+Travel had to be very slow now, and it was necessary for the adventurers
+to walk beside the sleds, as the dogs could not pull the passengers and
+the heavy loads up the steep, snow-covered mountain.
+
+They reached a shoulder of the incline, and stopped to rest. Here Mr.
+Baxter consulted the map again.
+
+"I think we had better bear off more to the left," he said. "It looks as
+if there was a stream there, but it's frozen over."
+
+Holfax agreed with him. It was now quite certain they were at least on
+part of the very ground mapped out by Stults. But whether they were near
+the hidden treasure was another question.
+
+They followed the course of the stream as nearly as they could with the
+sleds, and, after a toilsome climb found themselves on a sort of level
+place.
+
+"Doesn't look as though we were going to find a waterfall around here,"
+remarked Mr. Baxter.
+
+"It certainly does not," added Jerry.
+
+Fred felt his heart sinking. They had come far enough, according to the
+map, to be at the fall, but there was no sign of It. Was the story all a
+myth? Was there no waterfall, no cave, no gold?
+
+Fred went a little way ahead. As he turned a place where a big ledge of
+rock jutted out, hiding what was behind from view, he uttered a cry.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Baxter, hurrying up, thinking the lad had
+been hurt.
+
+"The waterfall!" cried Fred. "There it is, frozen solid! See!"
+
+And so it was. The great cold had solidified, into fantastic shapes, the
+falling water, until it looked like nothing but a vast ledge of ice,
+with great columns, like spears, hanging down here and there.
+
+"Now for the cave!" cried Fred, hurrying forward. "It must be at one
+side of the fall."
+
+Mr. Baxter, Fred, and Jerry hastened forward, while Holfax and Johnson
+remained behind to look after the dogs, that seemed to develop a sudden
+wild desire to run away.
+
+It was hard climbing, over the piled-up masses of frozen water, and
+great icicles, but the gold-seekers managed it. Mr. Baxter was in the
+lead. He passed across a frozen pool, into which, during what summer
+there was in that cold region, the waters of the cataract fell, and
+then, with a loud shout, he pressed forward.
+
+The boys, close at his heels, saw him headed toward a dark opening. They
+hurried to join him.
+
+"The cave!" cried Fred. "It's the cave where Stults hid his treasure!"
+
+Mr. Baxter was just at the entrance. As he was about to pass under the
+icy ledge, there was an ominous crackling overhead. Fred looked up. To
+his horror he saw a great icicle, that had become detached from the mass
+at the frozen waterfall, come toppling straight down toward where Mr.
+Baxter was standing, he having hesitated a moment to look into the black
+interior of the cavern.
+
+"Look out!" cried Fred. "Go into the cave!" Mr. Baxter comprehended his
+danger. He took a step forward, but, just then, his foot slipped, and he
+fell.
+
+The great mass of ice, sharp as a spear, and weighing a ton or more, was
+falling straight down on the prostrate man, as if to transfix him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+DIGGING FOR TREASURE
+
+
+Fred never could distinctly recall, afterward, how he accomplished it,
+but he did. As he saw the mass of ice descending toward Mr. Baxter, the
+boy, with a swift, comprehensive look, took in the situation. A daring
+scheme came into his head.
+
+From where he and Jerry stood, on a sort of little hill, the ice
+descended, in a slope, to the mouth of the cave. The frozen surface was
+almost as smooth as glass.
+
+"My father will be killed!" cried Jerry.
+
+Falling downward the great icicle struck with a tinkling sound against
+the masses of ice on either side. Down, down it came.
+
+With a sudden motion Fred threw himself face forward on the icy slope,
+like a boy coasting down hill on a sled. Only Fred had no sled. But his
+thick fur garments protected him as much as a contrivance of wood and
+steel could have done.
+
+Right down the steep, icy slope he slid, straight at the prostrate
+figure of Mr. Baxter. The man, hampered as he was in his heavy suit
+of furs, was struggling in vain to rise and get out of the way of the
+falling mass of ice.
+
+[Illustration: "The force of the blow shoved the man ahead"
+
+_Page 117_]
+
+But there was no need. Coasting down the declivity, Fred struck Mr.
+Baxter on the shoulder with his outstretched hands, and the force of the
+blow shoved the man ahead. Straight ahead it forced him, the weight of
+Fred's body, with the speed it had attained, being sufficient to send
+Mr. Baxter within the cave. Fred followed also, being unable to stop.
+
+An instant later, with a terrific crash, the great icicle came down
+where, but a moment before, Mr. Baxter had been prostrate on the ice.
+His life had been saved by Fred's brave and quick act.
+
+Mr. Baxter slowly struggled to his feet, within the cave. Fred also got
+up. The youth was trembling from the excitement and exertion.
+
+"Fred," spoke up Mr. Baxter, "you saved my life!"
+
+"I am glad I thought of sliding down to you," replied the boy modestly.
+"It came to me in a flash that it was the only way."
+
+"Yes, and you came against me like a flash, only a little more solidly,
+or it wouldn't have done any good," went on the man.
+
+Jerry, who had watched the rescue with awe-struck eyes, hastened into
+the cavern, climbing over the broken masses of the great icicle. His
+emotion was such that, for a moment, he could not speak. He had thought
+to see his father crushed to death. Then he clasped the hand of his
+parent in one of his, and extended the other to Fred.
+
+"I shall never forget what you did," he said to Fred.
+
+"Nor I," added Mr. Baxter. "If we don't get any of the hidden gold I
+shall feel that I owe Fred a debt I can never pay."
+
+"Hello dar!" exclaimed a voice at this juncture. "Whar am everybody? Did
+anyt'ing happen?"
+
+"It's Johnson," said Mr. Baxter. "Yes, something did happen."
+
+"Whar am yo'?" asked the colored man. "I can hear yo', but I cain't see
+yo'."
+
+The entrance to the cave, in which were the three, was partly hidden
+from view by the broken ice.
+
+"We're in the cavern," replied Fred, stepping to the opening, where
+Johnson could see him.
+
+"Do you think this is the place, father?" asked Jerry, gazing around
+curiously.
+
+"I think so. It seems to correspond with the map. But we shall soon find
+out. Probably the gold is not buried very deep, as Stults did not have
+much time. The cave is small, and it ought not to take long to explore
+it thoroughly. George, tell Holfax where we are, have him make a sort of
+temporary camp just outside here, and bring up the tools. We'll stay in
+the cave, I think. It's warmer than outside."
+
+The colored man went back to join the Indian, while Mr. Baxter and the
+boys looked about the cave, as well as they were able to in the
+darkness. The cavern was about twenty feet square, and the roof seemed
+to be quite high up. It was formed of rock, and here and there water had
+leaked through and frozen, long, sharp icicles hanging from the sloping
+sides and roof.
+
+"When we get a lantern lighted we can begin to dig for the treasure,"
+said Mr. Baxter. "I'm afraid it will be difficult work, though, for the
+ground is frozen as hard as a stone."
+
+The thought of being so near the store of precious metal took their
+minds off of the narrow escape from death that Mr. Baxter had just had.
+Fred recovered his nerve, and waited with impatience the return of
+Johnson and Holfax with the lanterns and tools.
+
+The latter were soon at the cave, having brought the dogs and sleds as
+close as possible to the entrance. After bringing in the tools, and
+several lanterns, fitted to burn alcohol, and arranged to give a more
+brilliant light than the usual little blue flame from that fluid, the
+colored man and the Indian, in obedience to orders from Mr. Baxter, went
+outside.
+
+"I don't want them to see us when we come upon the gold," said Mr.
+Baxter. "There is no telling how much there is, and it would not be
+right to put temptation in their way. Besides, they must get the camp in
+shape before night."
+
+The lanterns were lighted, and then the work of digging for the treasure
+was begun. It was warm enough in the cave to allow the three to lay
+aside their heavy outer coats, as the exercise of digging would keep
+their blood in circulation.
+
+"Now we'll divide the cave floor into three parts," said Mr. Baxter,
+"and each one of us will take one. In this way we will be able to make
+sure that we have covered every foot. There is no need to go down very
+deep."
+
+The work was soon under way. It certainly was difficult, for the frozen
+earth was like stone in hardness. But the picks were sharp, and they
+were wielded by sturdy arms, the owners of which were urged on by the
+desire to get at the buried wealth.
+
+It was slower work than Mr. Baxter had calculated on, and when it came
+time to eat dinner, they had, altogether, turned up only a small part of
+the cave floor to a depth of about two feet.
+
+"No sign of treasure yet," said Fred, about the middle of the afternoon.
+"I think I'll go outside far a breath of fresh air, and to rest myself."
+
+"I'll go along," declared Jerry.
+
+When the two boys reached the mouth of the cavern, they were surprised
+to find that it was quite dark outside. The short day was ended, and the
+sun, which never got far above the horizon, had set some time before.
+The Northern Lights were beginning to shoot across the sky.
+
+Close to the cave, Holfax and Johnson had arranged the sleds with their
+loads, and had tethered the dogs, that were now howling for their supper
+of frozen fish.
+
+"That reminds me I'm hungry too," said Jerry; "aren't you, Fred?"
+
+"Not so very. I'm too anxious to find the gold. I'm going back and dig."
+
+They used their picks on the flinty soil for an hour more, and then Mr.
+Baxter, with something like a sigh of disappointment, announced that
+they would have the night meal.
+
+"I don't suppose any of you came across any stray gold nuggets, did
+you?" he asked the boys.
+
+"No," replied Fred soberly. "Do you think the treasure is here, Mr.
+Baxter?"
+
+"Well, I hope so. If it isn't we can at least prove that there is no
+Stults treasure, and that the story is all a myth, Fred."
+
+"Oh, I hope such a thing as that doesn't happen."
+
+"I hope so myself."
+
+It got much colder after they had had their hot tea and meat, so, as
+they were very tired, Mr. Baxter decided they would do no more digging
+until the next morning.
+
+"We ought to finish up the cave to-morrow," he said.
+
+"Suppose we don't find the gold, dad?"
+
+Mr. Baxter said nothing. It was a thing he did not like to contemplate.
+They had dug over more than half the floor of the cavern, and had seen
+no signs of where Stults, years before, had made an excavation to hide
+his gold. The cave looked as if it had not been disturbed for centuries.
+
+"This is the right place, according to the map," said Fred, as though to
+assure himself and the others that they must be on the track of the
+hidden wealth.
+
+"It is," admitted Mr. Baxter, "but there are so many chances for error,
+that we can never be sure. There are probably more caves and waterfalls
+than this in Alaska, and Stults was not an expert map-maker. He may have
+thought he was setting down very explicit directions, when, as a matter
+of fact, he may be miles and miles off. But we can tell better in the
+morning."
+
+None of the gold-seekers rested well. Though they were more sheltered
+than at any time since beginning their journey,--for the cave made a
+fine place to camp in,--their sleep was disturbed by a haunting vision
+of disappointment. Suppose there should be no gold after all?
+
+They resumed the digging soon after breakfast. By noon they had covered
+nearly the entire floor of the cavern. Fred was using his pick in one
+corner of the cave. Of the third assigned to him, not more than a square
+yard remained. The others had about the same still to explore, and, up
+to now, there had not been the slightest indication of the buried
+wealth. Fred's heart began to fail him.
+
+He raised his pick high over his head, and brought it down with great
+force in the frozen dirt. Somehow it seemed to penetrate easier than it
+had before. It stuck in nearly up to the handle. The sharp point had
+entered something soft.
+
+The boy's heart gave a convulsive throb. He pried up on the pick handle.
+Something was giving way. Had he discovered the hole in which the gold
+was hidden?
+
+An instant later, as the light from one of the lanterns gleamed on the
+spot where he was digging, Fred uttered a joyful cry.
+
+"What is it?" shouted Mr. Baxter, as he and Jerry threw down their picks
+and hastened to the lad's side.
+
+The boy was down on his knees, scooping at something with his hands. The
+others looked.
+
+Then they saw what they had come so far to seek. Fred's pick had pierced
+through a canvas bag, buried a short distance below the frozen surface.
+It was a bag of gold nuggets, and they lay scattered about in the dirt.
+
+"The treasure!" cried Fred. "Here it is! I have found it!"
+
+And so he had. Almost on the verge of failure he had unearthed the gold
+buried so long before by the old German, Max Stults!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE SPYING INDIAN
+
+
+The adventurers could hardly believe their good luck. Fred, still on his
+knees, scooped out handful after handful of the dull yellow nuggets,
+which meant so much to him and to them all. His thoughts went back to
+the humble home he had left, to his crippled father, and his toiling
+mother. Now they could have peace, comfort and happiness. But, better
+than all, his father could now be assured of a cure. No wonder it seemed
+too good to be true.
+
+But it was no dream. The gold was actually there. There were two score
+sacks of it, as they soon discovered, for it did not take the three of
+them long to get it from the hiding place. Only one had been broken by
+Fred's pick, and the nuggets were carefully gathered up.
+
+"Good for you, Fred!" exclaimed Jerry, as he and his father helped pile
+the gold carefully to one side. "You won out, but I had begun to think
+we were going to fail."
+
+"So did I," added Mr. Baxter.
+
+"I was beginning to get discouraged myself," admitted Fred. "How much do
+you suppose is there, Mr. Baxter?"
+
+"There must be half a million," said Jerry.
+
+"Nonsense," answered his father. "No such good luck as that. Still, it
+is a tidy little fortune. Let me see if I can calculate it."
+
+He weighed in his hands the different bags, counted them and began to
+figure in his head.
+
+"There are forty bags," he said, "and I calculate that each one weighs
+about eight pounds. That would give us about three hundred pounds of
+gold."
+
+"Three hundred pounds of gold!" repeated Fred, in an awe-struck voice.
+"How much is that worth?"
+
+"Well, if it's pure gold, such as these nuggets are, it is worth in the
+neighborhood of twenty dollars an ounce."
+
+"How many ounces have we?" asked Jerry.
+
+"Well, of course gold is weighed by Troy measure, which goes twelve
+ounces to the pound, but I have calculated this gold by the standard of
+sixteen ounces to the pound, and, in three hundred pounds there are
+forty-eight hundred ounces."
+
+"And if the gold is worth twenty dollars an ounce that would be--why it
+would be ninety-six thousand dollars!" exclaimed Fred, who was good at
+arithmetic.
+
+"Ninety-six thousand dollars!" repeated Jerry, staggered by the amount
+of so much wealth.
+
+"Of course that is only a rough estimate," Mr. Baxter hastened to add.
+
+"Well, now we've got it, how are we going to get it home?" asked Fred,
+when they had stood about a while, contemplating the wealth.
+
+"That's so," agreed Jerry. "Three hundred pounds of gold is no light
+weight to transport over three hundred miles on dog sleds."
+
+"I think we will distribute it on the four sleds," said Mr. Baxter. "It
+will be safer that way, and not such a load for the dogs. We have used
+up considerable of our supplies, and we have that much less in weight.
+But the gold will more than make up for it."
+
+They were so excited over their good fortune that they scarcely thought
+of eating, and they were startled when Johnson put his head in the
+opening of the cave, and announced that dinner was ready.
+
+"All right," answered Mr. Baxter. "We've found the gold, George."
+
+"Has yo' really, Massa Baxter? Am it a million dollars?"
+
+"Far from it, George."
+
+The colored man seemed disappointed. Mr. Baxter did not think it wise to
+tell him just how much it was, nor did he want him or the Indian to
+catch sight of the yellow nuggets. They might not be able to stand the
+sight of so much wealth. So the sacks were covered with some fur robes,
+and, while Mr. Baxter remained on guard, Fred and Jerry went to eat.
+Then they relieved Mr. Baxter, and, with ready rifles, waited until he
+had finished his meal.
+
+The short day was soon at an end, and Mr. Baxter, having sent the Indian
+away from camp, to bring in a supply of firewood, began, with the aid of
+the boys and Johnson, to pile the gold securely on the sleds.
+
+"We'll start for the south in the morning," announced Mr. Baxter, "and
+glad I am to be able to do it, too. This cold seems to get through to my
+very bones."
+
+As the last of the gold was being put on the sleds, Fred saw, peering
+over the edge of an ice-covered rock, the face of an Alaskan Indian.
+
+"Hello, Holfax!" he cried. "What are you coming that way for?"
+
+But, to his surprise, the figure vanished, and, a moment later, Holfax
+appeared, coming from a different direction.
+
+"Why--why--that's funny," remarked Fred.
+
+"What is?" asked Mr. Baxter.
+
+"I thought I saw Holfax looking at me from up there, and here he comes
+down there."
+
+No sooner had he spoken than there was a cry from the guide. The eyes of
+the four adventurers were drawn toward him, and, as they watched, they
+saw another Indian rush at Holfax, take quick aim with a rifle, and
+fire.
+
+Holfax dropped the bundle of wood he was carrying, seized a long stick,
+and ran at the other. The latter turned and fled, easily distancing
+Holfax, who had no snowshoes, while his assailant had on a pair.
+
+"Are you hurt?" asked Mr. Baxter anxiously, hurrying toward the guide,
+who turned back as the other passed out of sight in a hollow.
+
+"No hurt. Him bad shot. Him miss."
+
+"Who was it? Why did he fire at you? What did he want?"
+
+"Him bad Indian. Him come spy on camp. Him Toldez, friend of Zank--no
+good. Me catch," and Holfax, who had donned his snowshoes, prepared to
+race after his assailant.
+
+"No!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter quickly. "Don't go, Holfax. There is
+something queer about this," he added. "That Indian tried to kill you,
+Holfax. Why did he do it?"
+
+"Me no know. Him bad, guess. Maybe want gold."
+
+"That's it!" cried Mr. Baxter. "He's a spy, sent on by some others. You
+say he is a friend of Zank? Zank knows that one-eyed man. Do you
+suppose there are more Indians around here, Holfax?"
+
+"Mebby so. Plenty Indians live over there," and the guide pointed to the
+west. "Toldez live there. Him come spy on camp. Me like shoot Toldez,
+but him no shoot me. Too much bad aim," and he chuckled over his narrow
+escape, as though it was a thing of no consequence.
+
+"Boys," said Mr. Baxter solemnly, "I'm afraid we're in for trouble. The
+thieving Alaskans know about our finding the gold. That one may have
+been hiding around here for some time, and probably watched us put the
+sacks on the sleds."
+
+"What can we do?" asked Fred.
+
+"We must be on our guard. Get your rifles, and keep them loaded. We must
+hasten to some settlement. Here we are at the mercy of these savage and
+thieving Indians. Our gold is not safe yet, even though we have found
+it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+FOLLOWED BY THE ENEMY
+
+
+An uneasy feeling filled the hearts of the treasure finders. If what Mr.
+Baxter surmised proved true, they might have to face more perils than
+any they had yet encountered.
+
+"Do you think that man with the glass eye--Callack his name is--will try
+to get the gold?" asked Fred.
+
+"It looks as if he had arranged some plot," replied Mr. Baxter. "You
+recall how he whispered something to Zank as we started off on this
+expedition. I did not like that at the time, for I feared he was up to
+some trick. Now, it appears, this other Indian, who is acquainted with
+Zank, has been spying on us. Probably Zank, and the other three Indians
+who we dismissed, made their way to where their tribe was encamped, and
+Callack was there. He may have paid Zank to give information about us."
+
+"But how did he know where we were going?"
+
+"He may have gotten it out of Holfax in some way," said Jerry's father
+in a low voice. "I don't believe Holfax would betray us knowingly, but
+he is simple-minded, and a scoundrel like Zank may have wormed it out of
+him."
+
+"Then what shall we do?"
+
+"We can only be on the lookout. We must stand guard to-night, and
+to-morrow we will proceed as fast as we can to the south. Come, we will
+eat now. Holfax has the fire ready."
+
+The Indian had built a roaring blaze, and was preparing a meal, while
+the hungry dogs, smelling it, tried in vain to break loose and reach the
+food.
+
+The travelers passed an uneasy night. They took turns standing guard, at
+the mouth of the cave, and, though they saw no signs of any hostile
+Indians, there was a nervous fear in every heart. Soon after breakfast
+the next morning, having seen that the sleds were well loaded, with the
+gold and the remainder of their supplies, they started for the south.
+
+All that day they traveled, making fairly good time, as the slopes of
+the hills were downward. The terrible cold did not let up, however, and
+Johnson's hands were slightly frost-bitten when they camped that night.
+
+Once more they stood guard, but this time it was under trying
+circumstances. For they were now in the open, protected only by the
+tent, and the time they had spent in the cave, where it was
+comparatively warm, made them wish again for its shelter.
+
+Shortly after midnight, when Fred, in accordance with the arrangements,
+roused Mr. Baxter to take his turn at guard duty, there sounded, off to
+the rear, long-drawn-out howls. At the sound the sled-dogs raised their
+muzzles in the air, until they were pointing at the flickering and
+shifting Northern Lights, and sent back an answer.
+
+"Wolves!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter. "I hope we're not going to be surrounded
+by a hungry pack of the brutes. We may need all our ammunition to fight
+off human enemies."
+
+"Do you think the Indians will attack us?"
+
+"I hope not, but it is hard to say what the rascals will do, especially
+if they have an unscrupulous white man to urge them on."
+
+"That sounds as if there were a large number of wolves on our trail."
+
+"It certainly does, Fred. I think I'll rouse Johnson and Holfax."
+
+But there was no need to awaken the Indian. The disturbance among the
+dogs, of which he had charge, had roused him from his slumber on the
+snow under a pile of fur blankets. He called some commands to the
+animals, and they slunk down.
+
+"Wolves coming, Holfax?" asked Mr. Baxter. "Shall we get our guns
+ready?"
+
+"No wolves," replied the Indian.
+
+"No wolves? Why I can hear them howl."
+
+"No wolves," repeated the Indian. "Them dogs what howl. Listen. Can tell
+different noise. Wolf howl long--shrill--dog he howl short an' quick."
+
+Mr. Baxter and Fred listened intently. Now that their guide had called
+their attention to it, they could distinguish a difference in the howls,
+which did not sound at all like those of the brutes that had once
+attacked them.
+
+"Then if those are dogs, there must be Indians close to us," went on Mr.
+Baxter.
+
+Holfax nodded.
+
+"What are they doing near here? Is that the camp where Zank and the
+others went?"
+
+"No," replied Holfax. "Them Indians follow us."
+
+"They are following us?"
+
+"'Bout three miles back," added Holfax. "Can hear plain on cold night."
+
+"Do you mean they are coming after us to get the gold?" inquired Mr.
+Baxter.
+
+Once more Holfax nodded.
+
+"Them camp now," he said. "Follow us in mornin'."
+
+Mr. Baxter, as Fred could see in the glare of the Aurora Borealis,
+looked grave. Their worst fears were realized. It would have been better
+to have a pack of wolves after them, than to have this band of savage
+Alaskan Indians, led on probably by a daring and unscrupulous white man.
+
+"Shall I stay up and keep watch with you?" asked Fred.
+
+"No. I think, as Holfax says, that they will not attempt to creep up on
+us during the night. They will do nothing until morning. Then we must be
+on the lookout."
+
+Holfax proved that he had guessed correctly. There was no disturbance
+that night, but, in the morning, after they had started, the Indian
+mounted a hill, near which they had encamped.
+
+"There Zank and his men," he announced, pointing to the rear. "Can see
+smoke of fire."
+
+Mr. Baxter looked. A thin thread of smoke could be observed ascending in
+the frigid morning air, but no camp was in sight.
+
+They started off soon after they had made a hasty breakfast. It seemed
+colder than at any time yet, but a glance at the thermometer showed that
+it was only thirty degrees below zero. Still that was cold enough,
+though what made it seem more piercing was a stiff wind that sprang up.
+
+"Hark!" exclaimed Holfax, when they had gone several miles.
+
+He halted the dogs and listened. The others could hear nothing.
+
+"What is it, Holfax?" asked Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Them come," replied the Indian. "Can hear dogs howl, an' sound of sleds
+on ice."
+
+This may have been so, but the hearing of the Indian was more acute than
+that of the travelers.
+
+"So the enemy is after our gold?" remarked Mr. Baxter. "Well, they'll
+have to fight to get it."
+
+"Suppose they outnumber us?" asked Fred.
+
+"They probably do. Otherwise I do not believe they would dare think of
+attacking us. There is probably a large band of them."
+
+"Then we can not fight them alone."
+
+"I suppose not," admitted Mr. Baxter. "But I have a plan that may help
+us. Holfax, come here, I want to talk to you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE ATTACK
+
+
+The Indian obeyed, having first fastened his leading team of dogs to a
+large ice boulder by means of a long thong, so they would not run off.
+As the other animals were attached to the team Holfax drove, they too,
+halted.
+
+"Goin' make fight?" asked the Indian.
+
+"That is what I want to talk to you about. Do you think we can fight
+them?" and he motioned back toward their pursuers.
+
+"They plenty many," replied the Indian.
+
+"I suppose so. What sort of weapons have they?"
+
+"They got guns."
+
+"What! Indians in this wild country having guns? Where did they get
+them?"
+
+"White mans give, for to be showed gold," replied Holfax, "Indian not
+care much for gold--only for guns an' t'ings. If can find gold tell
+white mans an' git guns. Guns better than gold--guns shoot wolves,
+musk-ox, moose."
+
+"That's so. Guns are worth more to the Indians than gold."
+
+"Shoot mans too," added the Indian. "Zank an' his men got plenty much
+guns--also plenty much men. Make big fight."
+
+"That is what I supposed," said Mr. Baxter. "Our only hope is to run
+away from them, and get help. We'll put the first into operation at
+once. Do you think our dogs are faster than theirs are, Holfax?"
+
+"Our dogs much fastest. I pick out good dogs. No dogs so fast like dogs
+Holfax pick out."
+
+"I believe you. These dogs are certainly excellent animals, and they are
+as strong and healthy as the day we started."
+
+"Other dogs--no much good," went on Holfax, speaking slowly to make his
+imperfect English understood.
+
+"Then we have a chance to escape them. But I am also going to try to get
+help. Holfax, do you think you could get some friendly natives to aid
+us? Can't you call on some friends of yours who will come and help us
+fight these scoundrels, who want to steal the gold?"
+
+"Holfax's friends much ways off."
+
+"I suppose so, but you can travel fast on snowshoes, and tell them to
+come back with you. We will pay them well."
+
+"Pay gold?" asked the Indian.
+
+"Some gold, yes. I'll give you and your friends a thousand dollars in
+gold if they succeed in protecting us."
+
+"Gold buy plenty guns," observed the Alaskan, seeming to consider the
+matter.
+
+"Will you go?"
+
+"Me go," said the guide quickly. "Good far ways, but Holfax go quick.
+Tell friends come help white man, two boy-white mans an' black man like
+smoke," the last description referring to Johnson, whose ebony skin was
+a source of considerable wonder to the Indian.
+
+"That's right," said Mr. Baxter. "Now you had better hurry, Holfax.
+There's no telling when those thieving Alaskans will be close after us."
+
+"But what are we going to do?" asked Fred. "Will we stay here and defend
+ourselves?"
+
+"No, my plan is to push on south as fast as possible. Every mile we get
+nearer our destination the better off we are, for the miners will rally
+to our aid when they see our plight."
+
+"But how can we go on without Holfax to guide the dogs?"
+
+"I have thought of that. I know something of dog teams, though I am not
+an expert driver. I have often handled the animals, and I think, with
+the aid of you boys and Johnson, and if I leave the four teams hitched
+together, I can get along all right. Holfax and his friends can take a
+short cut and catch up with us perhaps. How long before you can get
+help, Holfax?"
+
+"Two sleeps," replied the Indian, meaning two nights.
+
+"Well, we'll try to stand the enemy off until then. Now hurry, and don't
+waste any time."
+
+Holfax was an experienced traveler. He fastened on his snowshoes, made
+himself up a package of food, tea and a pot, put some matches in a safe
+place, and was ready to start on his long trip to find his friends.
+
+"Keep watch," was his parting injunction to the four treasure finders.
+"No let Indians come too close. Me come back soon as can."
+
+With that he was off, setting himself a rapid pace, half walk, half
+trot, that enabled him to cover considerable ground in a day.
+
+"Now to see what sort of progress we can make," remarked Mr. Baxter when
+Holfax was out of sight down a hollow between two ice hummocks. "Boys,
+help me with the dogs. Johnson, you sort of keep your eyes on the sleds
+so that none of them upset. We'll see if we can outdistance our
+pursuers."
+
+The dogs made much trouble, leaping about here and there, and almost
+refusing to get properly in line with the traces so they could pull.
+Probably they knew that Holfax was not there to punish them. But by
+dint of hard work Mr. Baxter succeeded in getting them started.
+
+He rode in the foremost sled, with Fred next, then came Jerry, while
+Johnson brought up the rear. The colored man had strict instructions to
+give the alarm the instant he saw the enemy in pursuit.
+
+Once the dogs found out they had to do their usual work, they seemed to
+give up their playful spirit, and settled into the collars for a long,
+steady pull. They were traversing the same track they had used in going
+to the cave, but of course all traces of it had been blotted out by
+storms. Still the dogs seemed able to find their way with very little
+guidance.
+
+Though anxious watch was kept, there was no sign of the enemy seen that
+day, and night settled down, finding the travelers in a more hopeful
+mood.
+
+"Perhaps they have given up," suggested Fred.
+
+"I'm afraid not," returned Mr. Baxter. "More likely they are up to some
+trick. We must be careful about standing guard to-night. Fire at the
+least suspicious sight or sound, boys. I'm afraid it's going to be more
+trouble to keep this gold than it was to find it."
+
+They were traveling over the plain now, having emerged from the forest
+some time previously, and, when Mr. Baxter gave the word to halt for
+the night, the boys looked about for a good place to pitch the tent.
+
+"That looks like a sheltered place over there," remarked Fred, pointing
+to where a big hummock of ice offered some protection from the north
+wind that was now sweeping over the plain with great force.
+
+"We'll try it there," decided Mr. Baxter. "Fasten the dogs well, and
+give them plenty of fish. We must keep up their strength, and see that
+they are in good health, or we will fail, after all."
+
+The animals were tethered, the tent put up, and supper was gotten ready.
+Then a big fire was built, as some protection against the bitter cold.
+In spite of the fact that they were getting closer to the Yukon River,
+where it is always warmer than inland, they felt the frost cruelly.
+
+Jerry had the last watch that night, his hour extending to nearly
+sunrise, which, as winter was more and more advancing, was not of much
+account in the arctic regions. As the boy noted with satisfaction a
+reddening in the east, indicating that it would soon be time for
+breakfast, when he would not be so cold, he heard a noise off to his
+left. It was different from the crackle of the ice, and the dull boom
+that told of falling masses of frozen crystal, and Jerry turned quickly
+around.
+
+As he did so he saw a sight that startled him. From behind great masses
+of ice there suddenly sprang into view the ugly faces of a score or
+more of Alaskans. They peered at the little camp of adventurers, and
+some of them uttered a cry of satisfaction.
+
+"The Indians! The Indians! They're all around us!" cried Jerry.
+
+Mr. Baxter, Johnson and Fred hurriedly awoke, and it was instinct with
+them to grab the guns lying at their sides.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Jerry's father, running to the flap of the
+tent, near which his son stood.
+
+"The Indians! They're here!"
+
+There was no doubt of it. Seeing that there was no need of concealment,
+the Alaskans boldly advanced. It was seen that nearly every one had a
+gun.
+
+But stranger than all was the figure that walked at the head of the
+hostile Indian procession. It was the figure of a white man. A man with
+a glass eye--the same man who had accosted Fred on the ship.
+
+"Well, what do you want?" asked Mr. Baxter as he saw Callack advancing.
+"What right have you to follow us?"
+
+"There's no 'right' up in this land," was the sneering answer. "There's
+no law, neither. We do as we please here."
+
+"What are you going to do now?"
+
+"We're going to take that gold you unlawfully removed from the cave. Ah,
+you needn't deny you have it. I have proof of it. One of my men saw it."
+
+"I suppose you mean that spy," replied Mr. Baxter. "We are not going to
+deny it. But let me tell you we'll never give up anything we have
+without a fight."
+
+"A fight? Why, we outnumber you five to one!"
+
+"I'm not afraid of that. We shall defend our property to the last."
+
+"Bold words!" spoke Callack with a sneer, "but I'm going to have that
+gold," and he advanced toward Mr. Baxter.
+
+The Indians, watching their white leader, began to close in on the
+treasure finders.
+
+"Fred!" cried Mr. Baxter, "you look after the left side, Jerry, you the
+right, and I'll take the center. Stand with your backs to the tent.
+Johnson, get up on the ice hummock and fire at the first man who comes
+within a hundred feet, be he a white or an Indian."
+
+In less time than it takes to tell it the little force had assumed a
+position of defense. From his elevated place the negro could command a
+wide range.
+
+"Are you going to fight us?" demanded Callack.
+
+"Certainly," replied Mr. Baxter.
+
+"It will be useless. I have traveled too far after that gold to give it
+up now. You had better surrender. I'll guarantee to get you safe to the
+river."
+
+"Never! We are going to keep the gold."
+
+At that moment, whether by accident or design, one of the Indians
+discharged his gun at Johnson, who had not done as Mr. Baxter had
+thought he would, and concealed himself behind some blocks of ice.
+Instead he stood bolt upright.
+
+There was a cry of pain from the colored man. An instant later he raised
+his rifle quickly and fired into the midst of the advancing Alaskans.
+One Indian fell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+BURYING THE TREASURE
+
+
+"Are you hurt?" cried Mr. Baxter anxiously.
+
+"Jest a scratch on mah cheek," replied Johnson. "But it was so close,
+sah, dat it done made me mad. I hit one o' dem rascals."
+
+"That's what you did. I hope you didn't kill him, for I don't want any
+bloodshed if we can avoid it. Still, they fired first."
+
+The moment the Indian fell his companions were thrown into confusion.
+They had not expected such vigorous resistance. Several of them threw
+down their guns and rushed to their fallen comrade. A well-directed fire
+at that moment would probably have scattered the enemy, but Mr. Baxter
+did not want to shoot into the midst of the Indians, unarmed as most of
+them now were.
+
+Callack was in a rage. He stormed at his allies, and made them take up
+their guns again. The Indian Johnson had hit was only wounded, and he
+was carried to the rear. But the quick response of the colored man to
+the attack of the Indians had a good effect. It frightened the
+Alaskans, and, notwithstanding the demands of the rascally white man,
+they would not again advance. They wanted to consider matters first, and
+Callack was too big a coward to proceed alone.
+
+Sullenly he retreated with his band of Indians to a small hollow about
+half a mile from the Baxter camp.
+
+"Don't think we're going to let you go," he called out angrily as he
+went away. "We're going to have that gold."
+
+Mr. Baxter did not reply. He watched the withdrawal of the Indians.
+
+"Keep a close watch," he cautioned Johnson. "Tell us as soon as you see
+any suspicious movement."
+
+"Dat's what I will, an' I'll shoot, too."
+
+"No, don't do that unless they attack us again. They may leave us alone
+after this."
+
+The position of the treasure finders was perilous enough. They were in a
+desolate country, and, though they had plenty of provisions for the time
+they had calculated on, they would not have enough if they were detained
+by the enemy. Their only hope was that Callack's men would retreat.
+
+"Well, they've given us a chance to get breakfast, at any rate,"
+remarked Mr. Baxter. "Now you boys hustle around, make some tea, cook
+some meat, and get things ready, while I bring the dogs closer in and
+feed them. Then I'll lay out some more ammunition. If it comes to a
+fight we'll have our hands full."
+
+"Do you think they'll go away?" asked Fred.
+
+"No; to be frank, I don't think they will. Callack is too greedy after
+the gold. He knows we have it."
+
+"Then what are we going to do? We can't fight such a big crowd."
+
+"I don't know. Perhaps I can think up some plan. But now get busy with
+the breakfast."
+
+The meal was soon ready and eaten, Fred taking the place of the colored
+man on the ice hill while Johnson ate. Mr. Baxter had brought the sleds
+closer to the big hummock, had fastened the dogs more securely, and had
+opened several packages of cartridges.
+
+"Why can't we build some sort of a fort?" suggested Fred.
+
+"A fort?" inquired Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Yes; to protect ourselves."
+
+"What could we make it of?"
+
+"Blocks of ice."
+
+"So we could. I wonder I didn't think of that. It's a good idea, Fred.
+We'll do it. Get the picks and shovels. We can soon throw up a
+breastwork that will be proof against their bullets, and, as we occupy
+the highest ground, they can't fire down on us."
+
+There was plenty of material for the fort, and before night there was a
+good rampart of ice, built in a semicircle out from the big rock, and
+taking in the tent and sleds, to which the dogs were kept fastened. They
+were quiet now, Mr. Baxter having given them a good feeding of seal
+blubber.
+
+"What are your plans?" asked Fred after an early supper. "Do you think
+they will attack us to-night?"
+
+"I hope not, for I want to put into execution a scheme I have thought
+of."
+
+"What is it, dad?" asked Jerry.
+
+"I think we will bury the treasure and make a dash to escape."
+
+"Bury the treasure? Where?"
+
+"Right here. We can cut a deep hole down under the ice and snow, put the
+bags of gold in, cover them up, and then be in readiness to make a dash
+through their lines."
+
+"Suppose they pursue us?"
+
+"That is probably what they will do. But I think we can escape, as our
+dogs are much swifter than are theirs. Then we will proceed toward the
+river, get help, and return for the gold. Or, better than that, Holfax
+and his friends may come to our relief. They ought to be here soon."
+
+"If he doesn't fail us," suggested Fred.
+
+"I do not believe he will. Holfax is faithful."
+
+Mr. Baxter's plan was soon put into operation. A great hole was dug in
+the ice, the enemy being unable to observe the operation because of the
+rampart. Then the gold, in bags, was put in, and the blocks of frozen
+crystal placed back again. To better cover up the place, Mr. Baxter
+melted some snow into water in a kettle over a fire and poured the water
+over the filled-up hole. It froze almost instantly, and no one would
+ever have suspected that beneath that ice there was a fortune in gold.
+
+"When are you going to try to escape?" asked Fred.
+
+"To-night, about midnight. I think they will be sleeping soundly then,
+and if the dogs keep quiet we can slip through their lines."
+
+"Can't we muzzle the dogs?"
+
+"I'm afraid not. They would probably be so frightened that they would
+make more fuss than ever. We can only trust to luck."
+
+Meanwhile Johnson or one of the adventurers kept a close watch from the
+hummock. Though only occasional glimpses of the Indians could be seen,
+the number of fires that were built showed that the enemy was in a
+circle about the place.
+
+"They have us fairly hemmed in," said Fred. "They evidently mean to get
+that gold."
+
+"I should think you'd be afraid to leave it buried here, dad, and go
+off," said Jerry. "Won't they dig and find it?"
+
+"I depend on our chance of fooling them," replied his father. "I don't
+believe they will suspect we would go off and leave the treasure. They
+will think we have it with us and will give chase."
+
+"Then our only chance depends on keeping out of their clutches?"
+
+"That's it."
+
+Preparations for the escape were quietly made, so that if by chance any
+spying Indian looked into the little camp he would not understand what
+was going on. The sleds were securely loaded, rifles and ammunition
+placed where they could be quickly reached, and the tent struck shortly
+before midnight. The Northern Lights were not as brilliant as usual, for
+which they were thankful, as it favored their chances of not being
+discovered.
+
+At last all was in readiness. For a wonder the dogs were quiet, and
+allowed themselves to be harnessed with little or no fuss. With a final
+look around the fort, which held the treasure they had braved so much
+for, the small party set out, each one taking his place on a sled.
+
+Mr. Baxter called softly to the leading dogs, and swung the long whip
+over their furry backs. The animals straightened out, and set off at a
+rapid run. Mr. Baxter guided them toward the left, which seemed the more
+open place in the circle the enemy had drawn around the camp.
+
+They had made a good start, but could they get far enough through the
+line of the Indians to make good their escape? That was the question in
+the hearts of the four.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+CAPTURED
+
+
+As the dogs drew the sleds down the little elevation on which the gold
+was buried, and where the fort was built, the treasure finders caught a
+glimpse of their enemies.
+
+The Indians had established four camps, about equal distances apart,
+depending on members from each one to guard the spaces between. Four
+fires glowed on the snow, and little dark heaps here and there showed
+where either dogs or the Indians were huddled up in slumber.
+
+Mr. Baxter directed the leading dog team as nearly as possible between
+two fires. He hoped none of the natives would awake, and certainly there
+seemed to be no danger of disturbing any guards, for there were none to
+be seen, at least none patroling the open spaces.
+
+But his hopes were doomed to disappointment. One of the Indian dogs set
+up a sudden howl. Perhaps it was a challenge in the Alaskan dog
+language. At any rate, it was answered from several throats of the
+beasts pulling the sleds of our friends.
+
+"That will bring them out!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter in dismay. "No need for
+silence now!"
+
+He shouted to the dogs, calling loudly, and cracked the long whip.
+Barking and snarling, bidding defiance to their fellows in the camp of
+the enemy, the animals rushed on.
+
+But the barking had roused the Indians and likewise their white leader.
+Callack's voice could be heard urging on his men. One or two rifles were
+fired, probably at random.
+
+"Whip your dogs, boys," called Mr. Baxter, and Fred and Jerry let the
+long lashes fly.
+
+The Indians were leaping to their feet and shouting. Several hurried to
+their sleds and began harnessing the animals.
+
+Even then the fugitives might have escaped had it not been for their own
+dogs. A series of loud howls came from the beasts of the Indians. This
+was too much for the others. With wild yelps, utterly disregarding the
+voices and whips of Mr. Baxter, the boys and Johnson, who tried to urge
+them on, the brutes turned and made straight back for the camp of the
+Alaskans, probably intent on fighting with those who had challenged
+them.
+
+"They're taking us right into the midst of the enemy!" cried Fred.
+"Let's jump off and run!"
+
+He tried to do so, but he was so encumbered with robes and fur coats
+that he could not.
+
+Mr. Baxter was trying his best to guide the leading team to one side,
+but it was useless. Lash them as he did the dogs kept on, straight for
+the Indian camp, beyond which they had almost passed.
+
+"We've got 'em!" yelled Callack. Then he cried some commands in the
+Alaskan tongue.
+
+"Shall we fire?" cried Fred.
+
+"No, don't!" replied Mr. Baxter. "You can't tell where you are aiming.
+You might kill one of us. I guess it's all up. But I'm glad I buried the
+gold," he added to himself.
+
+A moment later the adventurers were fairly in the hostile camp, and
+Jacob Callack and his men had surrounded them.
+
+"Surrender! We've got you!" yelled the rascally white man.
+
+"Yes, you've got us," admitted Mr. Baxter coolly, "but you wouldn't have
+if our dogs hadn't turned back."
+
+"They're fine dogs," answered Callack with a sneer. "I think I'll take
+'em for myself. Now then, get off your sleds and we'll talk business.
+After I have the gold I may consent to let you have your dogs back,
+though you don't deserve it, for you've made me a lot of trouble."
+
+He spoke as though he had a right to steal the treasure from those who
+had found it, and as if they had no right to resist. Callack called
+something to his men, and a moment later they were pulling the treasure
+finders from the sleds and binding them with thongs of deer skin, having
+first taken their guns away.
+
+Mr. Baxter and the two boys submitted with what grace they could to
+these indignities. But Johnson, the big colored man, fought with all his
+strength against the Indians. And, as he was very strong, and they were
+not very muscular, he tumbled several of them in a heap.
+
+"There ain't no ugly ole Indian gwine t' tie up George Johnson without a
+fight, that's what they ain't!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Rush at him all together!" called Callack to his men in the Alaskan
+tongue. Four or five of them did rush, but even they were no match for
+Johnson, who caught them in his long, powerful arms and tossed them over
+his shoulder, one by one, into a deep snow bank.
+
+"I'll fix you!" yelled Callack, springing toward the fighting colored
+man, whose gun had been taken away.
+
+The leader of the ugly Indians raised his rifle by the barrel and
+brought the stock down with terrific force on the head of Johnson.
+
+Even protected as his skull was by a thick fur cap, the blow felled the
+negro like an ox. With a groan he sank down on the snow.
+
+"There," said Callack, addressing Mr. Baxter. "That's the way I serve
+them as don't do what I say."
+
+"You're a coward, to strike a defenseless man," said Mr. Baxter
+contemptuously.
+
+"What's that! You dare call me a coward!" and the infuriated man strode
+over to Jerry's father with upraised rifle. But Mr. Baxter did not
+flinch. Looking Callack straight in the face, he never moved away from
+under the poised weapon. The man's bravery was too much for the coward.
+Muttering something below his breath Callack moved away, calling to the
+Indians to bring along the captives and the sleds.
+
+"Are you going to let Johnson lie there and freeze to death?" asked Mr.
+Baxter.
+
+"Let him freeze! What do I care?" was the cruel answer.
+
+"If you do I shall charge you with deliberate murder when I reach a
+settlement," threatened Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Maybe you'll never reach one."
+
+But the threat evidently had some effect, for, at a muttered word from
+Callack, some of the Indians carried the unconscious colored man to one
+of the tents of the enemy's camp.
+
+It was quite light, for the Aurora Borealis was streaming across the
+sky, giving a radiance like that of a full moon, only more beautiful.
+The captives could see that they were in the hands of quite a large band
+of Indians. More of the Alaskans had evidently arrived since the first
+skirmish. Among them was Zank, on whose evil face was an ugly grin at
+his success in betraying those who had trusted him.
+
+"It would have been better if you'd given up the gold at first," said
+Callack with a sneer. "Then I'd have let you go down to the river with
+your sleds and dogs. Now I don't know what I'll do with you. But first
+I'll get the gold."
+
+"Will you?" thought Fred, as he recalled the cunning way in which they
+had buried it.
+
+Callack gave some more orders, and the Indians began taking the things
+off the sleds of the captives. The dogs were removed and tied at a
+distance from the other animals, so the different teams would not fight.
+
+So eager was the rascally white man to get possession of the treasure
+that he began to aid his allies in searching for the precious metal. The
+robes, tools, provisions and supplies of Mr. Baxter and the boys were
+rudely cast to one side in the hunt for the bags of yellow nuggets.
+
+But the search was without avail. When at last the sleds had been
+stripped bare and no gold was found, Callack started up in a rage.
+
+"Where's that gold?" he cried. "You had it, I know you did!"
+
+"Yes, we had it," admitted Mr. Baxter calmly. "One of your spies saw
+it."
+
+"Then where is it now? You've got to give it up! I see! You have it
+concealed about you."
+
+He strode over to Mr. Baxter and began to feel about his clothing. The
+impossibility of any one hiding a lot of bulky sacks about him without
+having them show did not occur to Callack until he had convinced himself
+that Mr. Baxter had no gold under his fur suit. Neither had the boys nor
+Johnson.
+
+Callack was plainly puzzled. He had confidently expected to get the gold
+when he captured the fugitives. Now that it was neither among their
+baggage nor on their persons, he did not know what to do. But he was
+determined to have the bags of nuggets.
+
+Approaching close to Mr. Baxter, and shaking his fist in the face of the
+bound man, he asked:
+
+"Are you going to tell me where that treasure is?"
+
+"No, I am not," was the bold reply.
+
+"Then you'll suffer for it!"
+
+He turned aside, called to some of the Indians, and the three captives
+were led into one of the tents, while a guard of several of the Alaskans
+was stationed outside.
+
+"Well, they've got us," said Fred softly when they were left alone.
+
+"Yes," admitted Mr. Baxter, "but they haven't got the gold."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+ANXIOUS HOURS
+
+
+The situation of the captives was desperate. They were in the power of a
+white man as savage, or more so, as any of the Indians. To add to this,
+he was enraged at his failure to discover the gold, to obtain which he
+had risked so much. What he might do to compel them to reveal the hiding
+place they could only guess.
+
+For a while after being thrust into the tent there was silence among the
+three. They had been roughly handled, the exertion to escape had been
+hard, and they were utterly discouraged. It looked as though they had
+failed almost in the moment of success.
+
+"Do you think Holfax will bring any aid?" asked Fred after a long pause.
+
+"I think he will try," replied Mr. Baxter. "Whether he can bring enough
+of his friends to drive away this band of rascals is another matter. He
+ought to come along pretty soon, if he had good luck in reaching a camp
+and can persuade enough to come back with him."
+
+"I wish I could loosen some of these knots," remarked Jerry. "I'm tied
+so tightly that I can't move, and I'm getting cold."
+
+It was very cold, even in the shelter of the tent, and wrapped as they
+were in thick fur garments, for they were tied so tightly that their
+blood could not circulate freely.
+
+"Let's see if we can't loosen some of our bonds," suggested Fred. "The
+exertion will make us warmer even if we can't. And if we get loose we
+may be able to escape."
+
+"No, don't try that part of it," advised Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because, angry as he now is over not finding the gold, Callack would
+probably order us shot at once. If we wish to save our lives we will
+have to go slow. Try to loosen the thongs, by all means. That, as Fred
+says, will warm us up. But even if we get loose it will be advisable to
+stay in the tent. For, if we should manage to get out, we could not go
+far without dogs and sleds, and it would be impossible to harness the
+animals unobserved. No, boys, we'll have to stay here awhile and take
+our chances."
+
+The Indians had been in such a hurry to tie their captives so that a
+search might be made for the gold that the knots were not very secure.
+It did not take a great deal of exertion to undo them, and the three
+were able to stand up and stamp about, thereby warming themselves.
+
+"I feel better," announced Fred. "Now if they'd bring us in something to
+eat we wouldn't be so badly off."
+
+"I wonder how it goes with poor Johnson," said Mr. Baxter. "That was a
+cruel blow he received. Callack shall pay for that some day."
+
+"He's a brute!" exclaimed Fred. "I wish I was big enough to fight him."
+
+"I fancy if Johnson ever got at him in a fair fight Callack would wish
+he had never tried any of his tricks," observed Jerry.
+
+Anxious hours passed. The captives, looking from the tent, saw Callack
+and several Indians grouped about the supplies they had taken from the
+sleds of the prisoners. They were appropriating to their own use such of
+the articles as they fancied, while Callack, unwilling to believe the
+gold was not there, was minutely examining every robe and garment,
+hoping to find part of the treasure concealed in the folds, or sewed up
+in them.
+
+It was getting lighter with the approach of morning, though the days
+were successively getting shorter and shorter as the winter season
+advanced.
+
+At last Callack became convinced that there was no trace of the gold to
+be found in the baggage of his prisoners. He gave up the search, and,
+calling to some of the Indians, ordered them to replenish the campfires,
+which had died down in the excitement over the attempted escape.
+
+"I hope he thinks to send us some breakfast," remarked Fred, as from the
+tent the captives saw the Indians preparing a repast.
+
+"He's not very likely to, unless he thinks that by getting us in good
+humor we will tell him where the gold is," said Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Will you tell him?"
+
+"Never! And I hope you boys will remain firm, no matter what he does."
+
+"I'll not," declared Fred. The search for the gold had been too hard,
+and the possession of it meant too much to him to make him willing, even
+under stress of dire threats, to tell where it was hidden.
+
+"He'll have to threaten me good and hard before I'll tell him where it
+is," said Jerry.
+
+"Perhaps he may find it himself," suggested Fred.
+
+"I don't think so," observed Mr. Baxter. "We hid it very carefully, and
+it will take some digging, even if he thinks to try that method, before
+he'll come upon it. By that time Holfax and his men may arrive."
+
+That it was not Callack's plan to starve his captives was shown a little
+later, when a couple of Indians came in with some hot tea and some
+meat. There was also some cold tallow, an article of diet much esteemed
+by the Alaskans in the winter, and the treasure finders had learned to
+eat it. For fats are very heating, and some such food as that is much
+needed in the Arctic region.
+
+"He's up to some move," said Fred, as, looking from the tent-flap, he
+saw a lot of the Indians beginning to break camp.
+
+"Maybe they're going to leave us here and go back to the cave where we
+found the gold, thinking that we left it hidden there," suggested Jerry.
+
+"No, they know we brought the gold away," said his father. "Their spy
+was there for that purpose."
+
+"They certainly are moving the camp," went on Fred.
+
+Moving it they were, but for no great distance. The tents and supplies,
+including those of the prisoners, their sleds and dogs, were taken
+toward the place where the ice fort had been built around the base of
+the great hummock.
+
+"He's going back to our old camp!" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"I thought he would," added Mr. Baxter. "He's going to have a try for
+the gold there. Well, I hope he doesn't find it."
+
+A little later Callack approached the tent where the three captives
+were.
+
+"We're going to shift a bit," he said gruffly. "Going to where you had
+your camp. I'll dig up the gold there, and then I'll see what I'll do
+with you."
+
+If he hoped to provoke a response by this he was disappointed, for
+neither Mr. Baxter nor the boys answered. Callack did not appear
+surprised to see that his prisoners were no longer bound. Perhaps he
+thought the Indians who had brought them the breakfast had loosed the
+thongs.
+
+Closely guarded on all sides by the dusky Alaskans, Mr. Baxter and the
+two boys were made to march back to where the ice fort was. The tent was
+struck, and the old camp abandoned. Johnson, who had somewhat recovered
+from the cruel blow, staggered along, with an Indian on either side of
+him.
+
+Callack lost no time in seeking the gold once he had reached the place
+where the first skirmish had taken place. He ordered his men to erect
+the tents, and then, taking several of the Indians, including Zank, with
+him, each one with a pick and shovel, he began to dig around the big
+hummock of ice.
+
+"He'll hunt a good while before he finds anything there," remarked Fred.
+
+As soon as the tents were up more Indians were set at digging. They
+demolished the fort, but this hindered rather than helped them, for the
+floor inside beneath which the treasure was buried was covered deeper
+than ever with a layer of ice. Callack excavated a little there, but the
+place seemed frozen so solidly because of the water Mr. Baxter had
+poured over it that it did not look as if it had been disturbed in a
+hundred years. So he did not go deep enough.
+
+All day long the Indians, urged on by the white man, dug and searched
+for the treasure, but without success. As night came on Callack seemed
+to give it up.
+
+Throwing down his pick, he walked over to where Mr. Baxter and the boys
+were kept under guard in a tent.
+
+"Come on out here!" he called to them. "I've got something to say to
+you."
+
+He gave an order to the guards, and they stood aside. Wondering what the
+new move of the scoundrel might be, Mr. Baxter, followed by his son and
+Fred, went out. A bitter cold wind was blowing, and it looked as if
+there was going to be a big snowstorm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+CALLACK'S CRUEL THREAT
+
+
+"Well," remarked Callack as he eyed his captives, "you hid the gold
+pretty far down, I guess. I haven't been able to find it."
+
+He waited, seemingly for an answer, but Mr. Baxter did not reply, nor
+did the boys say anything.
+
+"Now," went on the rascally white man, "I'm going to make you tell me
+where you've buried it, for I know you did bury it."
+
+"Then why don't you find it?" asked Mr. Baxter.
+
+"You were too sharp for me. I don't mind admitting that. You are ahead
+of me--so far--but I've got several tricks to play yet. But first I want
+to give you a fair chance."
+
+"Then if you want to do that the best thing you can do is to give us
+back our sleds, dogs and other possessions and let us go on our way."
+
+"Hu! I'd be very foolish to do that, wouldn't I? As soon as you got
+there you'd have mounted police after me, or you'd organize a vigilance
+committee."
+
+"That's what we would," admitted Mr. Baxter. "I'll pay you back for what
+you have done, if it takes the last dollar I have in the world."
+
+"Well, you'll not use any of the gold," replied Callack with a sneer,
+"for I'm going to have that myself."
+
+"You'll have to get it first."
+
+"I intend to. That's why I called you out here. I have a proposition to
+make to you."
+
+"You can save your breath," said Mr. Baxter quickly. "I'll never consent
+to compromise with you and give you part of the gold."
+
+"And I'm not asking for a compromise. I want it all," cried Callack
+quickly. "What I mean is this: You can tell me where the gold is buried
+and help me find it, in which case I'll provide you with safe
+transportation to the river."
+
+"And if I refuse?"
+
+"Then you will be starved to death!"
+
+At this cruel threat even Mr. Baxter, hardened as he was by privation in
+his early mining days, could not repress a start. For of all the deaths
+that could be devised, that of starving in the Arctic region is probably
+the worst. In that terribly cold climate much food is necessary to keep
+up bodily warmth, and once the temperature of the blood gets too low,
+the end comes by freezing. So, in reality, Callack was threatening to
+freeze and starve his captives to death unless they revealed the hiding
+place of the gold.
+
+But after his first exhibition of emotion Mr. Baxter recovered his
+composure. He did not believe Callack would dare do as he said he would.
+
+"I thought I'd make you think twice," said the scoundrel, as he noted
+the slight change that came over Mr. Baxter's face. "Now will you tell
+me?"
+
+"No!"
+
+The word came as an exclamation.
+
+"Then you'll starve."
+
+"Will we?" asked Mr. Baxter. "You can't scare me, Callack. A man who is
+cowardly enough to strike an unarmed person isn't brave enough to do as
+you say you'll do. You'll be afraid to do it, for, though we're a good
+way from civilization, the law will get you some day. I'm not afraid.
+These boys are not afraid. You'll never get the gold if we have to tell
+you where it is, and you can make the most of that. Now don't ask me
+again, for if you do I'll not answer you. I don't like to talk to such a
+scoundrel as you are."
+
+These words of defiance stung Jacob Callack to fury. He raged up and
+down in front of the captives, and at times it seemed as if he would
+attack them. But the fearless attitude of Mr. Baxter, and the calm
+bearing of the boys, who took a lesson from their older companion, was
+too much for the coward.
+
+"All right!" he exclaimed. "We'll see how you'll talk after you've been
+twenty-four hours without anything to eat. We'll see how you'll like it
+to feel the cold making you stiff. You need not think I'll ask you again
+where the gold is. I'll find it myself, and punish you at the same time.
+You might better have thought twice, Simon Baxter, before you defied me.
+You don't know me!"
+
+"Yes, I do. I know you for a coward, and a man who would not stop at the
+worst of crimes to accomplish his ends. But I'm not afraid of you. Help
+is on the way to us, and before twenty-four hours have passed you may be
+begging me for mercy."
+
+Callack laughed. Evidently he placed no faith in what his prisoner said.
+
+"Very well," he sneered. "From now on, unless you change your mind and
+decide to tell me where the gold is, you shall have not a morsel to
+eat."
+
+He turned and walked away, while the captives went back into the tent.
+
+"Do you think he'll really do as he threatened?" inquired Fred.
+
+"I have no doubt but that he'll try it," replied Mr. Baxter.
+
+"But can we stand it?" asked Jerry. "Wouldn't it be better to give him
+part of the gold and have him let us go?"
+
+"He'd never be content with part of the treasure," was his father's
+answer. "He wants it all. But what do you say, Fred? You are an equal
+partner in this enterprise. Do you want to give Callack all the gold?"
+
+Fred thought matters over for a moment. He had endured much to get his
+share of the treasure, and he was likely to endure more. To return
+without the gold meant that conditions would be the same at home as they
+had been. There would be pinching poverty, with his mother toiling over
+her sewing, and his father trying to get such light tasks as suited his
+strength. It meant that Mr. Stanley would get well very slowly, if at
+all.
+
+On the other hand, if he stood out boldly with Mr. Baxter, there was a
+chance that Holfax and his men might come in time to save them. If he
+could stand the terrible pangs of hunger and cold for a time, all might
+yet be well. He made up his mind.
+
+"We'll starve before we give up the secret of the gold," he said boldly.
+
+"That's what I thought you'd say!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter. "I didn't think
+you'd give in, Fred. Now let them do their worst! We'll show them how
+brave boys and a strong man can go without eating. I don't believe
+he'll dare let us die. And Holfax may come at any time now. Yes, boys,
+we'll defy that scoundrel!"
+
+At that moment several Indians appeared at the flap of the tent.
+
+"Come," said one who spoke a little English. "You go."
+
+"I wonder what's up now?" said Fred. "Has he found the gold?"
+
+There was no choice but to obey, and the captives went outside. It was
+snowing furiously.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+DOUBLE HARDSHIP
+
+
+Callack stood in front of the tent from which the captives were led by
+the Indians. He was so bundled up in furs that he was scarcely
+recognizable, and, as Mr. Baxter walked toward him, the man said:
+
+"I'm going to give you one more chance to tell where the gold is. Will
+you?"
+
+"I will not."
+
+"Be careful! You don't know what you are going to suffer!"
+
+"You have my answer. I'll not tell you where the gold is, and you had
+better be careful what you do. Friends are on the way to rescue us."
+
+"They will arrive too late."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that unless you reveal the secret you will be left out in the
+open all night, with only such clothing as you now have on, and not a
+morsel of food, nor a drop of warm drink shall you have. Now do you
+still refuse to tell me?"
+
+Mr. Baxter hesitated. The double hardship might be more than the boys
+could stand. As for himself, he believed he could hold out until help
+came. But it was terribly cold, and the storm that was now howling about
+the camp gave promise of being a fierce one. Should he give in?
+
+A moment's reflection decided him. He thought Holfax must be near at
+hand. Perhaps he would come by morning, and they could stand the cold
+and exposure until then.
+
+"Well?" asked Callack impatiently.
+
+"You can go ahead with your cruelty," replied Mr. Baxter. "I'll never
+tell you where the gold is."
+
+With a muttered exclamation Callack turned aside. At an order from him a
+moment later the Indians led the captives to the top of the ice hummock.
+A more exposed place in a storm could not well be found. The wind swept
+over it with great velocity, making it colder than down in the more
+sheltered places. To be left there without food was almost certain
+death.
+
+Yet there Callack was going to leave his prisoners. Johnson, who still
+suffered from the blow on the head so that he was dazed, was led out
+from a tent, and the four treasure finders were tied with strong thongs,
+part of the dog harness being used.
+
+Under the direction of Callack three of the Indians were making the
+final fastenings of the bonds, when there suddenly arose a disturbance
+among the others, who were grouped about the sleds of the treasure
+seekers. There were loud voices, and then angry cries.
+
+"Those imps are fighting!" muttered Callack. "I'll soon put a stop to
+that!"
+
+He caught up a heavy dog whip, and started down the side of the frozen
+mound. The disturbance among the Indians became more fierce. Blows were
+struck right and left, and several of the natives grappled with each
+other, rolling over and over on the frozen snow.
+
+"They're fighting over the possession of our things," said Fred.
+
+"Yes, there won't be much left for us," observed Jerry. "But I don't
+know as that makes much difference. We'll never get away from here to
+use our things."
+
+"Oh, maybe we will," remarked Fred, hopefully.
+
+Callack sprang into the midst of the fighting Indians. He raised his
+heavy whip, and the cruel lash fell left and right, but owing to the
+heavy clothing of the natives, it produced little effect. The cries of
+rage grew louder. The Indians were fairly tearing from each other's
+hands the choice articles of food, and the other supplies belonging to
+the captives.
+
+The sight of their fellows in possession of what was to them unlimited
+wealth was too much for the three savages who were binding the captives.
+With one accord they dropped the thongs and leaped down the side of the
+ice hummock.
+
+For a moment, left thus comparatively alone and unguarded, the captives
+did not know what to do. They watched the three Indians leap into the
+midst of the fighting, yelling throng of their fellows, amid which
+Callack stood, vainly plying his whip, as he would among a pack of dogs,
+to restore order.
+
+"Boys!" cried Mr. Baxter suddenly. "Here's our chance. Can you loosen
+the thongs?"
+
+As he spoke he exerted all his strength, and the partly-tied leather
+strips about his hands came loose. A moment later Fred's arms were also
+free. Jerry was more securely tied, but it did not take long for Fred
+and Mr. Baxter to release him.
+
+"Now help Johnson," said the old miner, turning to where the colored man
+sat in the snow, just as he had been dropped when brought from the tent.
+
+The thongs were quickly stripped from the negro.
+
+"Stand up," cried Mr. Baxter, shaking the man, who seemed to be in a
+daze. "Stand up! We're going to escape! It's our only chance, when
+they're fighting among themselves!"
+
+The Indians were paying no attention to their captives. They were in
+the thick of the fight now, the sound of blows echoing loudly in the
+still air. Clubs, dog whips, chunks of ice, shovels and picks, the
+implements being taken from the sleds, were used as weapons. Callack was
+unable to control his men. In fact he was in considerable danger.
+
+But the colored man never stirred. He looked up at Mr. Baxter, smiled
+stupidly and mumbled:
+
+"It suah am a warm day. Landy, but dis coon has got t' take off some ob
+his clothes!"
+
+"His mind is wandering," spoke Mr. Baxter sadly. "Come, Johnson," he
+said. "We will help you to escape. Get up and walk. You must, or we'll
+have to leave you. We haven't a minute to spare."
+
+But the unfortunate negro could not understand.
+
+"It's no use," murmured Mr. Baxter. "We'll have to leave him to save
+ourselves. We can't carry him, he's too heavy."
+
+"But what will Callack do to him, when he finds us gone?" asked Fred,
+for it seemed that they could easily escape during the excitement, which
+had not ceased.
+
+"I don't believe Callack will harm him," replied Jerry's father. "He
+knows Johnson can't tell where the treasure is in his present state, and
+he'll look after him carefully, in the hope that his mind will come
+back, so he can point out the hiding place of the gold. So he'll not
+harm him, and if we make good our escape, we can come back with a strong
+party, and free him. But we must hurry. Callack seems to be getting his
+men under some kind of submission."
+
+This was so. Though the Indians were still fighting, Callack's use of
+the heavy whip and his vigorous commands appeared to be having some
+effect. The captives waited no longer. Bidding Johnson farewell, though
+the negro probably did not understand what they said, Mr. Baxter and the
+boys fled down the side of the hummock, away from the camp.
+
+Over the ice and snow they ran as fast as they could, but they welcomed
+the exertion, since, as they were not as warmly dressed as usual, the
+terrible cold was numbing them. The fierce fall of snow, which increased
+rather than diminished, served in a measure to conceal their movements.
+
+"Come on, boys!" called Mr. Baxter cautiously, as he led the way. "We
+may escape that villain and his savages! Are you all right?"
+
+"All right, but it's terrible cold," answered Jerry.
+
+"Indeed it is, though it's not so bad as it was up on that hummock.
+Let's stop a minute, and see if they are after us."
+
+They paused to listen. The only sound was the mournful howling of the
+wind, and the occasional boom, like that of a cannon, as some immense
+crack opened up in the ice about them.
+
+"They haven't discovered that we are gone, or else they don't know which
+way we took," said Mr. Baxter. "Come on, we must get farther away than
+this."
+
+"Where are we going?" inquired Fred. "We can't stand much exposure, in
+this weather, and without food."
+
+"I know it," replied Mr. Baxter. "I have hopes that we may chance upon
+some settlement of friendly Indians, where we can not only get food and
+shelter, but enlist their aid in capturing Callack."
+
+"That sounds too good to be likely to happen," observed Jerry.
+"Burr-r-r-r but it's cold."
+
+"Don't think of it," advised his father. "Move a little faster, and get
+your blood in good circulation. Then you'll feel warmer."
+
+"I don't believe I've got any blood left in me," replied his son. "It
+seems just like ice water."
+
+They trudged on, not knowing and scarcely caring where they were going,
+as long as it was away from Callack's camp. In fact they could see but a
+short distance before them, and had to go it almost blind, for the
+snowflakes were like a pall of frozen fog.
+
+"Hark!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Baxter, when they had been tramping
+along about half an hour. "Isn't that shouting behind us?"
+
+The boys listened. Faintly there sounded voices in pursuit.
+
+"They're after us!" exclaimed Fred. "What shall we do? Shall we run, or
+give fight?"
+
+"We haven't any weapons, or we might stand them off," remarked Jerry.
+"I'm almost willing to give up. We can't go on this way very far."
+
+"I'd rather freeze to death out here than back in Callack's camp,"
+observed Mr. Baxter grimly. "Let's go on, but we'll turn off to the
+left."
+
+He swung around and began to run, the boys following. The three
+fugitives had not taken a dozen steps when suddenly Mr. Baxter, who was
+in the lead, disappeared.
+
+"Why--why----" began Fred, when he found himself slipping down, and an
+instant later, Jerry also toppled into a big hole, that opened through
+the snow right at their feet. The two boys brought up with a jolt, and
+found themselves sprawled out beside Mr. Baxter. They had fallen down an
+opening toward a sort of cave, the black mouth of which was directly in
+front of them.
+
+"Well, we came right down the chimney," observed Mr. Baxter. "This is a
+lucky fall. We'll have a place to stay, and we'll throw Callack and his
+Indians off the track."
+
+He rose to his feet, and started into the cave, which seemed a large
+one. They had toppled down a shaft or hole in the roof. The boys
+followed him, and as they entered the cavern they saw a faint light at
+the farther end.
+
+"This cave has a back and a front door," observed Mr. Baxter. "Come on,
+boys, we'll conceal ourselves in here until they have given up the
+search."
+
+As he spoke there sounded above their heads, and off to one side, the
+shouts and yells of Callack and his men, who were running at top speed
+after their captives. For the fight had been quelled, and the escape
+discovered.
+
+The cave was found to be one hollowed out under the earth and rocks, and
+there was no ice or snow in it.
+
+"Say, this is as warm as toast!" exclaimed Jerry.
+
+"Toast! Don't mention such things," begged Fred. "I'm half starved. I
+wonder why who ever made this cave didn't leave something on the
+sideboard for visitors to eat?"
+
+"I guess this is a natural cave," replied Mr. Baxter. "There doesn't
+appear to be any signs that any one was ever in it before. It will serve
+us well, though, as Fred says, it's hard to be without food."
+
+There was nothing to do but wait until it was safe to emerge. The
+fugitives went close to the other opening of the cavern. In front of it
+stretched a big level field of ice and snow, as far as the treasure
+seekers could observe, which was not far, for the snow still came down
+in big flakes.
+
+The warmth, which was a welcome change from the terrible cold, made them
+drowsy, and before they knew it the escaped captives were dozing off.
+How long they slept they could not tell, as there was no way of
+measuring time, and with no change from daylight to darkness.
+
+With their awakening came a renewal of the pangs of hunger. In that cold
+climate men need to eat often and heartily to combat the frost king, and
+the captives, weakened by the exposure, their exertions and lack of
+food, suffered very much.
+
+But they grimly bore it all, and, though the boys felt it more than did
+Mr. Baxter, who was seasoned to hardships, they never complained.
+
+"Maybe if one of us went out, we could find some edible mosses beneath
+the snow," suggested Fred. "That would be good for us, wouldn't it, Mr.
+Baxter?"
+
+"Yes, if we can find the moss. There are some kinds that will keep a man
+from starving. I'll go out of the cave. I think it will be safe now. It
+must be several hours since Callack and his crowd passed."
+
+Mr. Baxter went to the mouth of the cave and looked out. It had stopped
+snowing, and the northern lights were flickering in the sky.
+
+"I'll chance it," he said.
+
+As he was about to step forth he heard a noise to one side. It was the
+movement of something over the frozen surface of the snow. He started,
+and was about to dart back into the cavern, thinking it was some of the
+Indians, when Fred, who had come to the entrance with Mr. Baxter, cried
+out:
+
+"It's one of our sleds, with two dogs fast to it. Hurrah! It's a sled
+with food on it!"
+
+"Well, if this isn't a marvel!" exclaimed Jerry. "How did that get here?
+Did Callack send it?"
+
+"The dogs probably wandered away during the fight," said Mr. Baxter.
+"See, they are not properly harnessed; they are only tangled up in the
+thongs. I wonder if we can catch them?"
+
+Hurrying out, the old miner called sharply to the animals in the Indian
+tongue, of which he had learned a few words. The beasts halted. They
+were almost exhausted from pulling the heavy load from which, doubtless,
+they had probably tried to break loose.
+
+"Food! food!" cried Fred, rushing from the cave, and beginning to tear
+away the robes over the load on the sled. "Now we're all right!"
+
+With eager hands Mr. Baxter and Jerry aided Fred. The dogs lay down in
+the snow, panting and weary.
+
+"We'll feed them well, to pay them for having brought us this sled,"
+said Mr. Baxter. "It has saved our lives. Fate sent the beasts this way.
+Now boys----"
+
+But he did not finish the sentence, for, at that instant with wild
+shouts, there came rushing over a little hill of ice several fur-clad
+figures. And the foremost of them was Callack, while behind him came
+several Indians.
+
+"Here they are! We've got them!" cried the ugly white man. "I'm glad I
+decided to trace those straying dogs. Don't run or I'll shoot!" he
+added, and the captives saw that he had a gun. They could not have run
+if they wanted to, they were so exhausted. Fate had apparently aided
+them only to cast them once more into the hands of their enemies.
+
+"Ah! You thought you'd get away from me, did you?" asked Callack
+exultantly, as he and his men rushed upon the treasure seekers. "Well,
+you nearly got away, and if it hadn't been that I started off after the
+dogs that strayed away with the sled, you might have fooled me. But now
+I've got you, and I'll wager you won't get away again."
+
+The captives said nothing. They were too miserable. They were roughly
+bound, though their legs were left free, and then they were led away.
+Callack sat in comfort on the dog sled, the animals managing to pull him
+and the load of food, as the trail back to camp led down hill.
+
+It was not far to the place where they had escaped from, for as the
+captives learned later, they had wandered about considerably in their
+flight. They were soon back at the camp, and this time Callack looked
+carefully to the tying of the thongs.
+
+When the captives had been securely fastened, holes were made in the
+ice, and in them stakes were thrust. Then loose ice was tamped in around
+to make the stakes hold. To these stakes, which soon froze in, almost
+like part of the ice itself, the prisoners were fastened.
+
+"Now," said Callack when the barbarous work was finished, "let's see how
+you like that. I think you'll soon wish you'd told me the secret."
+
+No one made him an answer. All were too intent on trying to move about
+as much as the close bonds would permit to get positions where the cruel
+wind and the stinging particles of snow would not be in their faces.
+Poor Johnson, scarcely able to move, groaned in pain.
+
+"Boys, can you stand it?" asked Mr. Baxter in a low voice, "or shall I
+give in to him?"
+
+"I'll stand it," answered Fred decidedly.
+
+"So will I," added Jerry.
+
+They were left alone. The Indians and Callack retired to the tents
+where, sheltered from the fierce blasts, they ate of the food which
+they had taken from the sleds of their captives, for Callack's band was
+not well supplied with rations.
+
+[Illustration: "The terrible cold was making them stupid"
+
+_Page 187_]
+
+Thicker and thicker came down the snow. It began to form in little
+mounds over the extended feet of the staked-out prisoners. Soon it would
+cover them completely. But that might be an advantage rather than
+otherwise, as it would produce a warmth which might save their lives.
+But would it happen in time? And would they not die in the meanwhile of
+faintness, because they were very hungry?
+
+The terrible cold was making them stupid. With a refinement of cruelty
+Callack had hung a big thermometer on a stake in front of Mr. Baxter
+that he might look at the little column of colored spirits and see to
+what low point they fell. The glow of the Northern Lights made an
+illumination sufficient to see the figures.
+
+The night advanced. More and more intense grew the cold. The snow froze
+as it fell, until the captives were fairly encased under a covering of
+ice. Higher and higher it grew, until it was up to their chests. They
+could not move.
+
+"Fifty degrees below zero," murmured Mr. Baxter as he looked at the
+thermometer. "And it will get lower. I am afraid I must give in--for the
+sake of the boys."
+
+He looked over at his son and Fred. They had not spoken nor moved in
+some time. The cold was making them numb. Even Mr. Baxter, hardened as
+he was, felt a deadly calm stealing over him.
+
+An hour passed. The thermometer had gone down five degrees more. But the
+cold was now so intense that a few degrees more or less made no seeming
+difference. Burrowing their heads down as far as they could in their fur
+hoods, the captives tried not to think about it. This was easy for poor
+Johnson, as he was out of his mind from the cruel blow Callack had dealt
+him.
+
+The snow came down thicker and faster. It was now almost over the heads
+of the captives. The thermometer could no longer be seen. It was getting
+darker as the Northern Lights died away.
+
+More keen grew the pangs of hunger, made acute by the great cold. Fred
+thought he would have to give up, and ask Mr. Baxter to reveal the
+secret of the gold that they might escape their terrible fate.
+
+But it was doubtful now if even a shout would have attracted Callack's
+attention. He was in his tent with some of the Indians. The others were
+also under shelter.
+
+But now the snow, which had seemed to add to their discomforts, proved
+beneficial to them. As it drifted over their heads while they sat on the
+ground, bound to the stakes, it shut out some of the terrible cold.
+Soon there stole over the captives a feeling of delicious warmth. It was
+not the dangerous sensation that precedes death by freezing, but real
+warmth; the warmth from their bodies, retained beneath the covering of
+closely-packed snow.
+
+Though they were completely covered, it was porous enough for them to
+breathe through, or they might have been suffocated to death.
+
+They could only hear each other now with difficulty, as the snow muffled
+their voices. Mr. Baxter called to the boys occasionally to learn if
+they were still alive.
+
+"I'm feeling all right," answered Fred once. "Only I wish Holfax would
+hurry."
+
+"Wait until morning," advised Mr. Baxter hopefully. "I think he will
+come then."
+
+Somehow the long night passed. They could tell when the sun arose
+slightly above the horizon by the increased light that shone through the
+snow blanket that covered them. They could hear faintly movements in the
+camp about them--Indians calling to one another.
+
+The captives knew that their enemies were preparing breakfast, and, oh,
+how they wished for some hot tea, and some warm meat, or even some cold
+tallow! A candle would have been welcome, provided it was made from
+suet.
+
+Soon could be heard the blows of picks being driven into the ice. Then
+shovels tinkled on the frozen crystals. The Indians had resumed their
+hunt for the buried treasure.
+
+It had stopped snowing, and because of the warm breath of the prisoners
+little holes had been melted in the white mounds which covered them so
+that they could see out a bit. They observed a score of Indians digging
+all around the foot of the hummock, while Callack directed them,
+occasionally helping himself.
+
+"How are you, boys?" asked Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Still alive," replied Fred.
+
+"Terribly cold and hungry," answered Jerry.
+
+"Shall I give up?"
+
+"No!" exclaimed both boys. They were not going to surrender yet.
+
+The hours passed. Foot after foot the Indians searched. The captives,
+tortured by being obliged to sit in one position, suffering from cold
+and hunger, watched them. Callack seemed to become more and more enraged
+as the time went on and he did not find the gold. Yet he did not again
+appeal to Mr. Baxter.
+
+The sun began to decline. Night was once more settling down. For over
+twenty-four hours they had had nothing to eat. They were faint and
+almost frozen, but they would not give in. As for Johnson, he realized
+little of what was going on around him.
+
+It began to get dark. Once more the Northern Lights appeared in the sky,
+wavering and shooting from the horizon to the zenith. The Indians had
+ceased their digging and returned to their tents.
+
+"How are you, Fred?" asked Mr. Baxter.
+
+"I'm--I'm pretty well--I--I guess I can stand it a little longer."
+
+"Why doesn't Holfax come?" thought Mr. Baxter. "Jerry, do you want to
+give up?" he asked.
+
+"I'll--I'll stick it out a little longer, dad."
+
+"All right. But I'm almost determined to give in. I did not think
+Callack would dare carry out his threat. We must save our lives, even if
+we have to give up the gold. I will wait an hour longer----"
+
+At that moment Mr. Baxter felt something working at the bonds in back of
+him which bound him to the stake. He could not turn his head to see who
+it was because of the pile of snow that covered him.
+
+"Who is there?" he asked.
+
+There was no answer.
+
+"Holfax; is that you?" he asked, a great hope coming into his heart.
+
+Still there was no answer.
+
+"Dad!" cried Jerry. "Some one is undoing the thongs about my arms."
+
+"And mine also!" added Fred.
+
+A moment later Mr. Baxter felt himself free from the stake at his back.
+He struggled to his knees, thrust out his arms to make a space in the
+snow about him, and tried to see who it was who had released him. There
+was no one in sight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE RESCUE--CONCLUSION
+
+
+For a moment Mr. Baxter did not know what to think. That he had been
+released was certain; but how? That the same agency was also at work for
+the boys was evident, for a moment later they, too, were able to get up
+on their knees. Their hands were free, but their feet were still tied.
+However, it was an easy matter to slash with knives which they all
+carried the thongs that were wound around their ankles.
+
+"Who did it? Who aided us?" asked Fred.
+
+"I don't know," replied Jerry.
+
+"Quiet!" cautioned his father. "We have a chance to escape."
+
+At that moment there was a movement in the snow at his feet, and a
+black, pointed muzzle was thrust up.
+
+"The dogs!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter. "It was the dogs that gnawed through
+the bonds and released us. I see how it happened. The thongs were
+freshly cut from some hide, and the half-starved dogs smelled them.
+They burrowed under the snow until they could gnaw them, and thus they
+released us. I thought at first it was Holfax and his men."
+
+"So did I," spoke Fred. "But what had we better do now?"
+
+"We must first get something to eat," said Mr. Baxter. "Wait until our
+blood is in a little better circulation, and we will steal down to the
+camp and see if we can't get something without attracting attention."
+
+By stamping around on the hummock and whipping their arms about them the
+prisoners succeeded in getting some warmth into their benumbed bodies.
+To their surprise the noise they made did not attract any notice from
+the Indians or Callack. As it happened, the Alaskans were all so wearied
+with their day's labor that they slept sounder than usual.
+
+Cautiously the captives stole down from the hummock toward one of the
+tents near which their own sleds had been placed. They hoped to find
+some food, for they were nearly famished.
+
+As they advanced they detected a movement among the dogs, only a few of
+which had burrowed under the snow to get at the fresh thongs, for an
+Alaskan dog will, in stress of hunger, devour its own harness.
+
+Suddenly there was an uproar among the animals, they probably thinking
+the approach of the captives meant that food was going to be
+distributed. There were barks, snarls and yelps. Some of the half-savage
+beasts jumped up on Fred and Jerry, and the boys had to beat them off.
+
+"They're as bad as wolves!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter.
+
+Then from one of the tents appeared Callack. He had been aroused by the
+noise, and saw the prisoners free, rushing down on his camp.
+
+"Here!" he cried. "What's up?"
+
+With a bound Mr. Baxter sprang for the man. He had determined to
+overpower him if he could and get food. But in his weakened condition he
+was no match for his enemy. Callack dealt Mr. Baxter a blow that felled
+him. Then the leader of the Indians called for help to recapture the
+prisoners.
+
+It looked as if they would again be taken back to the stakes and kept
+there until they died. A hopeless fear was in the hearts of the three.
+Johnson was still back on the hummock.
+
+"Hold 'em!" cried Callack. "Shoot 'em if they resist!"
+
+But none of the three was in a position to resist. Mr. Baxter was
+grasped by half a dozen hands, and several of the Indians surrounded
+Fred and Jerry. Mr. Baxter was willing to give up now. Fate was against
+them. He was about to call to Callack that he would tell where the gold
+was when a shot was heard at the edge of the camp.
+
+It came so suddenly, and was so evidently fired by some one not
+connected with the thieving band, that it produced an instant cessation
+of activities.
+
+Then a voice was heard calling.
+
+"Where be Mr. Baxter? Where be? Where boys? Got plenty help now! Plenty
+much fight!"
+
+Another shot was heard. Callack looked around wonderingly. Some of his
+Indians released their hold of the captives.
+
+Just then there rushed into the center of the camp the figure of a man
+completely enveloped in furs. In his hand he held a rifle, and he rushed
+up to Callack and pointed the weapon in his face.
+
+"Let Mr. Baxter go!" he shouted. "Me know you. You Callack. Zank tell
+me. I tie Zank up. He tell all. But he get away. Me see him here."
+
+"Holfax! It's Holfax!" cried Fred in delight.
+
+"Thank God for that!" murmured Mr. Baxter. "He came just in time!"
+
+Following their brave leader came two score of friendly Indians,
+uttering shouts of defiance at the enemies of Holfax's friends.
+
+Several shots were fired. The thieves, taken by surprise, were unable to
+make any defense. Several of them were hit by bullets and slightly
+injured.
+
+With a cry of defeat they began to run away. Those having hold of the
+boys had left them, and Fred and Jerry were free. Callack suddenly drew
+a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at Mr. Baxter. But before he
+could pull the trigger Holfax, swinging his rifle as a club, knocked the
+rascal down.
+
+"Don't kill him!" begged Mr. Baxter, merciful even to his enemy.
+
+But Holfax had no chance. Callack scrambled to his feet and ran away. He
+must have been bewildered by the sudden rescue, for he ran straight
+toward a deep ravine near the camp, and before any one could call out to
+warn him he had fallen over the steep cliff. The bad man was seen no
+more.
+
+By this time the friendly Indians were in possession of the camp. The
+wounded ones, including Zank, limped off, leaving all their possessions
+with the rescuers.
+
+"How be?" asked Holfax of his friends, grinning in a friendly fashion.
+
+"Almost starved," replied Mr. Baxter. "Boys, we must get some food at
+once and see to poor Johnson."
+
+"Me do it," spoke Holfax, and he was as good as his word. Soon pots of
+hot tea were ready, and, with their own supplies to draw on, the
+half-starved and nearly frozen captives feasted to their hearts'
+content.
+
+Then Holfax told his story. He had been longer in getting to the camp of
+the friendly Indians than he had thought he would be, and on the journey
+of rescue the storm had delayed him and his friends. They came on dog
+sleds, which had been left just outside of the camp. He had met Zank,
+who had tried to persuade some friendly Indians to attack the white
+adventurers, and had forced from the Alaskan scoundrel part of Callack's
+plan. Then Zank escaped and joined his evil master.
+
+"Now we must dig up the gold, and hurry to the south. Callack may get
+together a larger band, and follow us," said Mr. Baxter, when
+explanations had been made.
+
+But they need have had no further fear of Callack, for he was beyond the
+power of harming anyone. The gold was dug up, the dog teams were
+harnessed, and when the supplies had been packed on the sleds, all was
+in readiness for the start.
+
+Mr. Baxter paid well the Indians whom Holfax had brought to the rescue,
+and, as a further reward, they were given the dog teams, tents and other
+things belonging to the thieving tribe. Thus they were abundantly
+satisfied.
+
+Holfax and a few of the Indians agreed to accompany Mr. Baxter, the boys
+and Johnson to the nearest settlement. The colored man improved very
+much after a good breakfast, and, though he was not completely himself
+for a long time after the blow, he eventually got well.
+
+"Homeward bound!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter, as, with Holfax and some of his
+acquaintances to drive the dog teams, they were carried on the
+well-filled sleds over the frozen snow.
+
+"And with all the gold safe!" added Fred. "Now I can help my father and
+mother."
+
+They made good time to the settlement on the Yukon River, whence they
+had made the start for the interior.
+
+The adventurers were lucky in finding a ship about to sail for Seattle,
+whence they could take a train for San Francisco. Holfax was well
+rewarded for his part in the treasure search, and three months after he
+had left his home Fred Stanley, richer by fifteen thousand dollars (for
+that was his share after Mrs. Stults's half and the expenses had been
+taken out), started from the Piddock railroad station toward the little
+cottage which, at one time, he feared he would never see again.
+
+But something about it seemed strange. The shutters were closed, and
+there did not appear to be any one in it. For a moment the boy felt a
+deadly fear clutching at his heart. Suppose his father and mother had
+died while he was away? He had heard nothing from them, and had merely
+sent them a telegram from Seattle, telling them of his safe arrival,
+but saying nothing of his success, for he wanted to surprise them.
+
+As he started up the front walk he heard a noise. Around the corner of
+the house came his father, limping along with a crutch, while his mother
+was walking at his side. She was weeping.
+
+"Mother! Father!" cried Fred. "What is it? What has happened?"
+
+"I'll tell you what's happened!" exclaimed a gruff voice, and a
+roughly-dressed man appeared. "They ain't paid their rent for two
+months, and they're being dispossessed--put out--that's what it is."
+
+"Mother, is this so?" asked Fred.
+
+"Yes, dear. Your father lost his place as watchman, and our money gave
+out. But never mind. Now you are safe back I shan't worry. We can easily
+find another place. I can go back to sewing, and you will help us.
+Perhaps some of the neighbors will care for us until you can get work."
+
+"You don't need work, mother!" cried Fred, throwing his arms about her
+neck. "We've got lots of money. The treasure hunt was a success! I've
+got fifteen thousand dollars in gold as my share!"
+
+"Fifteen thousand dollars in gold!" repeated Mr. Stanley as if in a
+dream. "Then we needn't be dispossessed, mother."
+
+"Oh, Fred! Fred!" cried Mrs. Stanley. "Can it be true? How did it come
+about? Did you really find the treasure? You're not sick, are you?"
+
+"Sick? Why no, mother. What made you think that?"
+
+"Because I can hardly believe what you say. I thought perhaps you might
+have been frozen, and been very ill and--and that it had turned your
+mind. I have read of persons in the far north going insane because of
+the dreadful whiteness and the cold."
+
+"No, mother; I'm all right. It was terrible cold, and we had a hard
+time, with plenty of danger thrown in, but I'm all right, and I'm not
+out of my head. In fact my health is better than ever."
+
+"And you really have all that gold?" repeated Fred's father again.
+
+"Sure. Here are some samples," and Fred pulled out a few gold nuggets
+that he had taken from his share of the treasure, which had been left in
+a safe place while he came on ahead.
+
+At the sight of the gold the eyes of the mean landlord sparkled. He
+looked greedily at the yellow particles.
+
+"Yes, that's the genuine stuff," remarked Mr. Stanley. "Oh, Fred, my
+son, how glad I am that you succeeded, for I feared you would not!"
+
+"Ahem! I--er--I guess you'd better go back into the house, Mr. Stanley,"
+said the landlord, a sudden change coming into his manner. "I'll have
+your goods brought right back. I'll send in something for you to eat,
+too. You need nourishing food, that's what you need. I'll attend to it
+for you. And if your son wants to invest some of his money I will be
+glad to offer my advice. Come back into the house and we'll talk it
+over."
+
+"Talk what over?" asked Fred sharply.
+
+"Why--er--about investing your money. Of course you'll want to invest
+it."
+
+"Probably," replied the young treasure hunter coolly, "but I think I
+know where to go for advice, too. I don't believe I'd trust any one who
+would act as you have done to my relatives when they were in temporary
+distress."
+
+"Oh--er--I--I didn't mean anything by that," said the man, somewhat
+confused. "You see I have so much property, and my agents attend to it
+for me. One of them must have ordered Mr. Stanley dispossessed on his
+own responsibility. I did not understand the case. I am always disposed
+to be lenient to my tenants, especially----"
+
+"Yes, especially when you discover they have money," finished Fred.
+
+"You, personally, began this dispossess action," said Mr. Stanley. "It
+was not the work of one of your agents."
+
+"Oh--er--well, perhaps I made a mistake," went on the man. "You may stay
+in this house as long as you like."
+
+"No, but we'll not stay in this house," said Fred. "We will have a
+better one. Come, mother, we'll go to a hotel until we can find a place
+that suits us. And then father can go to a good hospital until he gets
+cured."
+
+"I--er--I hope you won't take offense--I--er--I had to have my rent
+money--if you'd like it, I'll let you have this place a little cheaper,"
+said the mean landlord.
+
+"No, thank you," answered Fred decidedly. "We want a better place than
+this."
+
+And some days later he bought a fine house for his parents with part of
+the proceeds of the buried gold. Mr. Stanley was sent to a hospital,
+where, with good care and nourishing food, he soon recovered the use of
+his leg, and was able to resume his work. As for Fred, he went back to
+school to complete his education, since the family was now beyond the
+fear of want. Part of the money his father insisted on investing for his
+son, and later some shares in a good mine were bought with it. If you
+were to visit Piddock to-day, you would find it a much larger city than
+when Fred left it to hunt for gold in far off Alaska, and if you were to
+ask who was the best known citizen there, you would be told he was Fred
+Stanley.
+
+For Fred prospered very much after he started in the mining business for
+himself, and he showed the same determined characteristics that he
+exhibited when on that perilous trip.
+
+Among his best friends he numbers Mr. Baxter and his son Jerry. As for
+Mrs. Stults, she never can say enough in praise of what Fred did for
+her, as her share of her husband's fortune was large enough to make her
+independent for life.
+
+"Dot Stanley boy, he is der greatest boy vot effer vos," she used to
+say. "Dere vos a man Stanley vot discovered t'ings in der hot Africa,
+but Fred Stanley, he discovered gold in der cold country, und dot's
+better as neffer vos, eh?"
+
+So now we will bid farewell to Fred, though, if you should ever meet him
+and ask him about his trip to Alaska, I have no doubt that he would be
+glad to tell you many details I have not had space to set down here.
+
+
+THE END
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Page 35, "would" changed twice to "vould" to match rest of usage. (vould
+be lost. Maybe it vould)
+
+Page 89, "throught" changed to "throughout" (throughout the Alaska)
+
+Page 127, "massa" changed to "Massa" to conform to rest of text.
+(really, Massa Baxter)
+
+Page 200, "sha'n't" changed to "shan't" (I shan't worry)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Treasure Hunter, by Frank V. Webster
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