sh to do that, wouldn't I? As soon as you got
there you'd have mounted police after me, or you'd organize a vigilance
committee."

"That's what we would," admitted Mr. Baxter. "I'll pay you back for what
you have done, if it takes the last dollar I have in the world."

"Well, you'll not use any of the gold," replied Callack with a sneer,
"for I'm going to have that myself."

"You'll have to get it first."

"I intend to. That's why I called you out here. I have a proposition to
make to you."

"You can save your breath," said Mr. Baxter quickly. "I'll never consent
to compromise with you and give you part of the gold."

"And I'm not asking for a compromise. I want it all," cried Callack
quickly. "What I mean is this: You can tell me where the gold is buried
and help me find it, in which case I'll provide you with safe
transportation to the river."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you will be starved to death!"

At this cruel threat even Mr. Baxter, hardened as he was by privation in
his early mining days, could not repress a start. For of all the deaths
that could be devised, that of starving in the Arctic region is probably
the worst. In that terribly cold climate much food is necessary to keep
up bodily warmth, and once the temperature of the blood gets too low,
the end comes by freezing. So, in reality, Callack was threatening to
freeze and starve his captives to death unless they revealed the hiding
place of the gold.

But after his first exhibition of emotion Mr. Baxter recovered his
composure. He did not believe Callack would dare do as he said he would.

"I thought I'd make you think twice," said the scoundrel, as he noted
the slight change that came over Mr. Baxter's face. "Now will you tell
me?"

"No!"

The word came as an exclamation.

"Then you'll starve."

"Will we?" asked Mr. Baxter. "You can't scare me, Callack. A man who is
cowardly enough to strike an unarmed person isn't brave enough to do as
you say you'll do. You'll be afraid to do it, for, though we're a good
way from civilization, the law will get you some day. I'm not afraid.
These boys are not afraid. You'll never get the gold if we have to tell
you where it is, and you can make the most of that. Now don't ask me
again, for if you do I'll not answer you. I don't like to talk to such a
scoundrel as you are."

These words of defiance stung Jacob Callack to fury. He raged up and
down in front of the captives, and at times it seemed as i