They did not awaken the sufferer
until Gus Schmidt announced himself ready to move on.

Tom was still very weak, but Dick was gratified to see that he appeared
to be in his right mind, and his eyes were brighter than they had been
in many a day.

"I can't understand this," he said, when he was bundled up and placed
on one of the sleds. "I feel as if I had had some awful dream."

"So you have had, Tom," was Dick's reply. "And I want you to be
careful, so that that awful dream doesn't come back."

"But where are we, Dick?"

"In Alaska, Tom. Now do keep quiet, please."

"Alaska! Well, I never!" murmured the sufferer. "And I thought we
were near Brill, or the farm!"

The two boys occupied the rear sled with one of the bundles, while Gus
Schmidt did the driving from the other sled and carried the rest of the
traps. On and on they went, mile after mile, the German driving the
dogs with great skill. They passed over hill after hill, and over vast
expanses of ice and snow. At noon they rested half an hour for lunch.
Tom tried to stand up, but was too weak.

"It's no use, Dick," he said. "I'm about as strong as a bowl of mush!
I guess I need about a month's rest."

"And you are going to get it, Tom, as soon as we can get home," replied
his brother.

"But I don't understand how I got here," went on the sufferer, in
perplexity.

"I'll tell you all about it some day, Tom. But now you must keep
quiet. Won't you, just to please me?"

"Sure--anything you say, Dick. I know something is wrong somewhere.
But I'll leave it all to you."

Late that evening they reached the Riss River, a small stream flowing
into the mighty Yukon. They passed along the river bank until they
reached a settlement known as Boyer's. Here they found Sam and the
others of the expedition.

"So yer got Tom!" cried Jack Wumble. "Good enough!"

"And how is he?'" questioned Sam, anxiously.

"He's been hurt, Sam. But I think he is brighter in his mind than
ever," answered Dick.

The Rovers found a great bustle and confusion going on at Boyer's
depot, due to the fact that a steamer coming down the river from Dawson
was due the next morning. It was to be the last vessel to pass that
way until Spring.

"Where is that steamer bound for?" asked Dick, of the man who had
charge of the depot.

"San Francisco."

"Can we secure passage on her, do you think?"

"I reckon so. Travel is light this time of year. That boat is going
to h