North to try their luck in the gold fields.
The great rush to the Klondyke was a thing of the past, but new gold
fields were being opened continually.

The boys were on their way to their stateroom when they came suddenly
face to face with a burly man who wore a heavy beard and mustache. The
man was about to pass them when he suddenly stopped short, stared at
Dick and then at Sam, and caught each by the arm.

"Say, am I dreamin', or is this the Rovers!" he gasped.

"We are the Rovers, yes," answered Dick, and he gave the burly man a
closer look. "And this is Jack Wumble, I believe," he added.

"Jack Wumble!" cried Sam. "Really!"

"Put her thar! Put her thar!" cried the man, and took hold of the hand
of each at once. "Ain't this great! Whar ye bound now anyhow? Goin'
to locate another mine--like thet one we found out in Colorady?"

"No, we are not looking for a mine this trip," answered Dick. "We are
on the trail of something far more important."

"More important than a gold mine?" demanded Jack Wumble, his eyes
opening widely.

"Yes. We are on the trail of my brother Tom, who is out of his mind
and has wandered away."

"Hoss pistols an' rattlesnakes! Ye don't tell me! Well, if Tom is
missin' count me in on the hunt fer him," was the quick and earnest
response.

CHAPTER XVIII

AT JUNEAU AND SKAGWAY

Jack Wumble was an old miner and prospector, a man the boys had met
years before in Colorado, when they went to that section of our country
to locate a mine belonging to their father. As related in detail in
"The Rover Boys Out West," Wumble had been of great assistance to them
and he knew them all well. He had, after numerous stirring adventures,
located a claim for himself, which, at the time, paid very well.
Lately, however, the Rovers had not heard from him, and they had often
wondered what had become of the man.

"You're a sight fer sore eyes, so ye are!" cried Jack Wumble, slapping
each on the shoulder. "I never dreamed o' seein' ye in this out o' the
way corner o' the country."

"We didn't expect to come here either, up to a few days ago," answered
Sam.

"Maybe ye better tell me the story," suggested the old miner. "If I
kin help ye I will."

"Come on to the cabin," suggested Dick, and led the way. They sat down
on a corner seat, and there the Rovers told their story, withholding
nothing, for they knew they could trust Jack Wumble in every particular.

"Gosh all hemlock! S