oys and a strong man can go without eating. I don't believe
he'll dare let us die. And Holfax may come at any time now. Yes, boys,
we'll defy that scoundrel!"

At that moment several Indians appeared at the flap of the tent.

"Come," said one who spoke a little English. "You go."

"I wonder what's up now?" said Fred. "Has he found the gold?"

There was no choice but to obey, and the captives went outside. It was
snowing furiously.

CHAPTER XXIV

DOUBLE HARDSHIP

Callack stood in front of the tent from which the captives were led by
the Indians. He was so bundled up in furs that he was scarcely
recognizable, and, as Mr. Baxter walked toward him, the man said:

"I'm going to give you one more chance to tell where the gold is. Will
you?"

"I will not."

"Be careful! You don't know what you are going to suffer!"

"You have my answer. I'll not tell you where the gold is, and you had
better be careful what you do. Friends are on the way to rescue us."

"They will arrive too late."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that unless you reveal the secret you will be left out in the
open all night, with only such clothing as you now have on, and not a
morsel of food, nor a drop of warm drink shall you have. Now do you
still refuse to tell me?"

Mr. Baxter hesitated. The double hardship might be more than the boys
could stand. As for himself, he believed he could hold out until help
came. But it was terribly cold, and the storm that was now howling about
the camp gave promise of being a fierce one. Should he give in?

A moment's reflection decided him. He thought Holfax must be near at
hand. Perhaps he would come by morning, and they could stand the cold
and exposure until then.

"Well?" asked Callack impatiently.

"You can go ahead with your cruelty," replied Mr. Baxter. "I'll never
tell you where the gold is."

With a muttered exclamation Callack turned aside. At an order from him a
moment later the Indians led the captives to the top of the ice hummock.
A more exposed place in a storm could not well be found. The wind swept
over it with great velocity, making it colder than down in the more
sheltered places. To be left there without food was almost certain
death.

Yet there Callack was going to leave his prisoners. Johnson, who still
suffered from the blow on the head so that he was dazed, was led out
from a tent, and the four treasure finders were tied with strong thongs,
part of the dog harness bein