nd the
two boys were made to march back to where the ice fort was. The tent was
struck, and the old camp abandoned. Johnson, who had somewhat recovered
from the cruel blow, staggered along, with an Indian on either side of
him.

Callack lost no time in seeking the gold once he had reached the place
where the first skirmish had taken place. He ordered his men to erect
the tents, and then, taking several of the Indians, including Zank, with
him, each one with a pick and shovel, he began to dig around the big
hummock of ice.

"He'll hunt a good while before he finds anything there," remarked Fred.

As soon as the tents were up more Indians were set at digging. They
demolished the fort, but this hindered rather than helped them, for the
floor inside beneath which the treasure was buried was covered deeper
than ever with a layer of ice. Callack excavated a little there, but the
place seemed frozen so solidly because of the water Mr. Baxter had
poured over it that it did not look as if it had been disturbed in a
hundred years. So he did not go deep enough.

All day long the Indians, urged on by the white man, dug and searched
for the treasure, but without success. As night came on Callack seemed
to give it up.

Throwing down his pick, he walked over to where Mr. Baxter and the boys
were kept under guard in a tent.

"Come on out here!" he called to them. "I've got something to say to
you."

He gave an order to the guards, and they stood aside. Wondering what the
new move of the scoundrel might be, Mr. Baxter, followed by his son and
Fred, went out. A bitter cold wind was blowing, and it looked as if
there was going to be a big snowstorm.

CHAPTER XXIII

CALLACK'S CRUEL THREAT

"Well," remarked Callack as he eyed his captives, "you hid the gold
pretty far down, I guess. I haven't been able to find it."

He waited, seemingly for an answer, but Mr. Baxter did not reply, nor
did the boys say anything.

"Now," went on the rascally white man, "I'm going to make you tell me
where you've buried it, for I know you did bury it."

"Then why don't you find it?" asked Mr. Baxter.

"You were too sharp for me. I don't mind admitting that. You are ahead
of me--so far--but I've got several tricks to play yet. But first I want
to give you a fair chance."

"Then if you want to do that the best thing you can do is to give us
back our sleds, dogs and other possessions and let us go on our way."

"Hu! I'd be very fooli