ld, in bags, was put in, and the blocks of frozen
crystal placed back again. To better cover up the place, Mr. Baxter
melted some snow into water in a kettle over a fire and poured the water
over the filled-up hole. It froze almost instantly, and no one would
ever have suspected that beneath that ice there was a fortune in gold.

"When are you going to try to escape?" asked Fred.

"To-night, about midnight. I think they will be sleeping soundly then,
and if the dogs keep quiet we can slip through their lines."

"Can't we muzzle the dogs?"

"I'm afraid not. They would probably be so frightened that they would
make more fuss than ever. We can only trust to luck."

Meanwhile Johnson or one of the adventurers kept a close watch from the
hummock. Though only occasional glimpses of the Indians could be seen,
the number of fires that were built showed that the enemy was in a
circle about the place.

"They have us fairly hemmed in," said Fred. "They evidently mean to get
that gold."

"I should think you'd be afraid to leave it buried here, dad, and go
off," said Jerry. "Won't they dig and find it?"

"I depend on our chance of fooling them," replied his father. "I don't
believe they will suspect we would go off and leave the treasure. They
will think we have it with us and will give chase."

"Then our only chance depends on keeping out of their clutches?"

"That's it."

Preparations for the escape were quietly made, so that if by chance any
spying Indian looked into the little camp he would not understand what
was going on. The sleds were securely loaded, rifles and ammunition
placed where they could be quickly reached, and the tent struck shortly
before midnight. The Northern Lights were not as brilliant as usual, for
which they were thankful, as it favored their chances of not being
discovered.

At last all was in readiness. For a wonder the dogs were quiet, and
allowed themselves to be harnessed with little or no fuss. With a final
look around the fort, which held the treasure they had braved so much
for, the small party set out, each one taking his place on a sled.

Mr. Baxter called softly to the leading dogs, and swung the long whip
over their furry backs. The animals straightened out, and set off at a
rapid run. Mr. Baxter guided them toward the left, which seemed the more
open place in the circle the enemy had drawn around the camp.

They had made a good start, but could they get far enough through the
l