were
warm friends.

"Come right in," said Tony Bings, when matters had been explained to
him. "It's a wonder ye ain't friz stiff, in sech a wind! It's been
a-blowin' great guns. Once or twice I thought the cabin was goin'
over."

Tom was brought in and Sam followed, and both were placed near the
sheet iron stove of which Tony Bings's cabin boasted. Then the old
miner bustled about to get the whole party something to eat and to
drink.

"I've got slathers o' stores," he told Jack Wumble, in answer to a
question on that point. "Got a good supply in durin' the summer. I
was out here last winter an' come near starvin' to de'th, an' I made up
my mind it shouldn't happen ag'in. So eat yer fill an' welcome."

"We'll pay for all we use, Tony," answered Wumble. "These chaps with
me are rich," he added, in a whisper.

"At first I thought it might be some good-fer nuthin' fellers from up
the mountains," went on Tony Bings. "Once in a while they come here
and git things an' don't pay for 'em. If they come ag'in, I'll shoot
'em," he went on, with determination.

He listened with interest to the story the others had to relate, and
was not surprised when he learned how the old hut had been tossed over
by the tornado and carried along on the ice. He said his own shelter
was protected by the rocks around it and also by the heavy stones which
he had placed on the roof.

All of the newcomers were so exhausted that after eating their fill
they were glad enough to lie down and rest. Tony Bings told them not
to worry--that he would stay awake, to tend the fire and watch out
generally.

"You ain't nowhere near Subler's Stores," he told Dick. "You got off
the track entirely. Instead of going towards Dawson you've been goin'
away from it."

All of the boys and Jack Wumble slept soundly that night. Tony Bings
did not arouse them and consequently it was long past daylight when
they opened their eyes.

When Dick came to the window of the cabin to look out he uttered a cry
of surprise. The sun was shining and all around could be seen immense
stretches of ice and snow. It looked as if they were in the midst of
desolation.

"What a change from a week ago!" he said to Sam.

"A fellow could hardly believe it, Dick," was the reply.

"How do you feel?" went on the big brother.

"All right, only somewhat stiff."

Tom was still asleep. When he awoke the brothers were worried to see
that he did not seem to be as clear