ing.

"I've heard o' sech cases," he told the boys, after learning about
Tom's trouble. "It's too bad! I sure do hope your brother will git
over it. It ain't nice to have a crazy pusson in the family."

After that several days went by slowly. At times Tom seemed to improve
and then he would sink back, sometimes becoming quite wild, so the
others had to watch him closely. But he grew stronger physically,
which was something to be thankful for.

On the third day it started to snow again, and this kept up for
twenty-four hours. It was as cold as ever, and the sheet iron stove
was kept almost red hot, so that the party, and especially Tom, might
not take cold.

On the next morning, much to the surprise of everybody, Tom got up and
insisted on walking around the cabin.

"I feel almost well," he told his brothers. "But I'd give a good deal
to be home."

That afternoon came a great shouting, and the cracking of whips outside
the cabin. At once Tony Bings's face lit up.

"It's the men from the Supply Depot!" he cried. "I reckon it's
Schmidt."

"Hello, in dare!" was the cry. "Vos you alife alretty, Tony? Vy can't
you oben der door und let a feller in, ain't it?"

"Hello, Gus!" answered the owner of the cabin, and threw open the door,
and in bustled a big, fat German, heavily clad, and wearing thick
gloves and ear-warmers. The newcomer stared in astonishment at the
Rovers and Jack Wumble.

"Sure und I tidn't know you vos have combany, Tony," said Gus Schmidt.

"My friends," said the old miner, and introduced them. "Tell yer men
to come in, and welcome," he went on, and Schmidt went to the door, and
called to three men who were with him. They drove up with several dog
teams, which they were taking to Dawson for supplies that had come up
to that city by way of the Yukon River.

Gus Schmidt, despite his rather uncouth manner, was a whole-souled man,
and Dick and the others took to him at once. He listened gravely to
the story they had to tell, and readily agreed to take the Rovers and
Jack Wumble with him. Wumble was invited by Tony Bings to remain at
the cabin for the winter, but said he would first see the Rovers as far
as Dawson, and visit his own claim, and then would return with
Schmidt's party.

Of the newcomers one was a German like Schmidt and the other two were
Canadians. The latter knew all about the dogs and dog sleds, managing
the rather savage animals with scarcely an effort. The dogs