ugh the
snow blanket that covered them. They could hear faintly movements in the
camp about them--Indians calling to one another.

The captives knew that their enemies were preparing breakfast, and, oh,
how they wished for some hot tea, and some warm meat, or even some cold
tallow! A candle would have been welcome, provided it was made from
suet.

Soon could be heard the blows of picks being driven into the ice. Then
shovels tinkled on the frozen crystals. The Indians had resumed their
hunt for the buried treasure.

It had stopped snowing, and because of the warm breath of the prisoners
little holes had been melted in the white mounds which covered them so
that they could see out a bit. They observed a score of Indians digging
all around the foot of the hummock, while Callack directed them,
occasionally helping himself.

"How are you, boys?" asked Mr. Baxter.

"Still alive," replied Fred.

"Terribly cold and hungry," answered Jerry.

"Shall I give up?"

"No!" exclaimed both boys. They were not going to surrender yet.

The hours passed. Foot after foot the Indians searched. The captives,
tortured by being obliged to sit in one position, suffering from cold
and hunger, watched them. Callack seemed to become more and more enraged
as the time went on and he did not find the gold. Yet he did not again
appeal to Mr. Baxter.

The sun began to decline. Night was once more settling down. For over
twenty-four hours they had had nothing to eat. They were faint and
almost frozen, but they would not give in. As for Johnson, he realized
little of what was going on around him.

It began to get dark. Once more the Northern Lights appeared in the sky,
wavering and shooting from the horizon to the zenith. The Indians had
ceased their digging and returned to their tents.

"How are you, Fred?" asked Mr. Baxter.

"I'm--I'm pretty well--I--I guess I can stand it a little longer."

"Why doesn't Holfax come?" thought Mr. Baxter. "Jerry, do you want to
give up?" he asked.

"I'll--I'll stick it out a little longer, dad."

"All right. But I'm almost determined to give in. I did not think
Callack would dare carry out his threat. We must save our lives, even if
we have to give up the gold. I will wait an hour longer----"

At that moment Mr. Baxter felt something working at the bonds in back of
him which bound him to the stake. He could not turn his head to see who
it was because of the pile of snow that covered him.

"Who is