uctions to
give the alarm the instant he saw the enemy in pursuit.

Once the dogs found out they had to do their usual work, they seemed to
give up their playful spirit, and settled into the collars for a long,
steady pull. They were traversing the same track they had used in going
to the cave, but of course all traces of it had been blotted out by
storms. Still the dogs seemed able to find their way with very little
guidance.

Though anxious watch was kept, there was no sign of the enemy seen that
day, and night settled down, finding the travelers in a more hopeful
mood.

"Perhaps they have given up," suggested Fred.

"I'm afraid not," returned Mr. Baxter. "More likely they are up to some
trick. We must be careful about standing guard to-night. Fire at the
least suspicious sight or sound, boys. I'm afraid it's going to be more
trouble to keep this gold than it was to find it."

They were traveling over the plain now, having emerged from the forest
some time previously, and, when Mr. Baxter gave the word to halt for
the night, the boys looked about for a good place to pitch the tent.

"That looks like a sheltered place over there," remarked Fred, pointing
to where a big hummock of ice offered some protection from the north
wind that was now sweeping over the plain with great force.

"We'll try it there," decided Mr. Baxter. "Fasten the dogs well, and
give them plenty of fish. We must keep up their strength, and see that
they are in good health, or we will fail, after all."

The animals were tethered, the tent put up, and supper was gotten ready.
Then a big fire was built, as some protection against the bitter cold.
In spite of the fact that they were getting closer to the Yukon River,
where it is always warmer than inland, they felt the frost cruelly.

Jerry had the last watch that night, his hour extending to nearly
sunrise, which, as winter was more and more advancing, was not of much
account in the arctic regions. As the boy noted with satisfaction a
reddening in the east, indicating that it would soon be time for
breakfast, when he would not be so cold, he heard a noise off to his
left. It was different from the crackle of the ice, and the dull boom
that told of falling masses of frozen crystal, and Jerry turned quickly
around.

As he did so he saw a sight that startled him. From behind great masses
of ice there suddenly sprang into view the ugly faces of a score or
more of Alaskans. They peered at the l