there was no telling how long the downfall would last, Sam and Dick
felt very happy as they crouched by the campfire in the shelter of the
cliff. They had found their brother, and he did not seem to be
seriously hurt by the long tumble he had taken.

"I guess we had better let him rest quietly, Sam," whispered Dick, as
both bent over the sufferer. "It will probably do him more good than
anything."

"Just what I think, Dick. But tell me, do you think he is in his right
mind now?"

"I can't tell, exactly. One thing is sure, he doesn't seem to remember
anything of his trip to this out-of-the-way spot."

"Isn't it queer! I never thought a fellow's mind could play him such
tricks!"

"Oh, men have been known to wander away and then come to themselves and
not remember a thing about how it happened. Maybe that tumble did him
good."

The two boys stirred around the shelter, fixing the fire and making the
barrier of brushwood more secure. Tom continued to rest, occasionally
muttering to himself.

"We might as well have something to eat, since you brought something
along," remarked Dick, presently. "And then we'll have to turn in. We
can take turns at sleeping and at watching Tom."

"Do you think we'll be completely snowed in by morning?"

"Let us hope not."

An hour later Sam was sleeping, while Dick sat on some brushwood,
tending the fire and keeping an eye on Tom. It was very quiet, and the
snow was coming down as thickly as ever. Dick had much to occupy his
mind--the perils of the present situation, his father's business
affairs, and Dora.

"Poor Dora!" he murmured. "She'll be much worried until she hears from
me again. Well, I won't mind all this, if only Tom comes out of it in
his right mind." It made Dick sick from head to foot to think that
fun-loving Tom might have to go to an asylum. Such a happening would
wreck the happiness of every member of the family, and wreck dear
Nellie's happiness, too.

Dick remained on watch for three hours and then roused Sam and turned
in himself. So the long night passed, Tom continuing to sleep, and
only rousing up once and demanding a drink. And he went on sleeping
when Dick and Sam arose to get breakfast and form their plans for the
day.

It had stopped snowing, but the sky was still overcast. It was colder
than before--a drop in the thermometer which meant but one thing--that
the long Alaskan winter had arrived. For months to come everything
would b