d been cut
some ten feet from it.

"'E's a clever one!" said Jarvis.

"I'll say so," agreed Dave.

* * * * *

Before Pant leaped from the balloon, after throwing overboard the two
hundredweight sack of gold which the yellow men, in their fright at the
machine-gun fire, had deserted in the outer cabin, he performed one other
valuable service. He threw over the heavy anchor, which was attached to a
steel cable.

The anchor shot like a plummet for the ground and proceeded to hang itself
securely in a corner of rock. The progress of the balloon was instantly
halted. Still filled with terror at the machine-gun fire, the yellow men
took to their parachutes. On landing, they made good their escape by
losing themselves in the rocky ledges which rose up from the sea shore. It
was useless to pursue them there.

By the time all this had happened, Dave and Jarvis, with their men, had
come out from the mine and had joined Johnny, who, still prancing about in
his ridiculous costume, was rejoicing with Pant over the sudden enriching
of their treasure-hoard.

"Get a windlass," said Dave. "We'll bring that giant bird to earth. There
may be more treasure aboard her."

In due time the balloon-cabin touched the snow and the men swarmed upon
it.

They were disappointed in their hope of finding further treasure, but they
did find a solitary man. He was a white man and was totally unconscious
from a blow on the head.

"Dave, you and Jarvis stay here and see what you can do for the chap,"
said Johnny. "All the rest of you come with me. We've got work ahead of us
and a plenty. The Bolshevik band will be here in less than twenty-four
hours. We'll have to float our schooner, load the provisions and gold and
beat it."

He turned once more to Dave and Jarvis. "If you bring him to consciousness
and can manage it, carry him to the ship. Otherwise I'll send two men to
help you when we are through loading."

Wild hours of tireless labor followed for the the main gang. To bring the
schooner from the bank to the water-channel, a quarter of a mile over the
ice, was no mean task. It was at last accomplished. After that, the
loading went on rapidly.

Nothing had been seen of Dave and Jarvis when the last case of provisions
had been brought aboard.

Johnny chose two of the men and went round the hill to assist in bringing
the injured man to the ship. Imagine his astonishment when, on rounding
th