prise, were unable to
make any defense. Several of them were hit by bullets and slightly
injured.

With a cry of defeat they began to run away. Those having hold of the
boys had left them, and Fred and Jerry were free. Callack suddenly drew
a revolver from his pocket and aimed it at Mr. Baxter. But before he
could pull the trigger Holfax, swinging his rifle as a club, knocked the
rascal down.

"Don't kill him!" begged Mr. Baxter, merciful even to his enemy.

But Holfax had no chance. Callack scrambled to his feet and ran away. He
must have been bewildered by the sudden rescue, for he ran straight
toward a deep ravine near the camp, and before any one could call out to
warn him he had fallen over the steep cliff. The bad man was seen no
more.

By this time the friendly Indians were in possession of the camp. The
wounded ones, including Zank, limped off, leaving all their possessions
with the rescuers.

"How be?" asked Holfax of his friends, grinning in a friendly fashion.

"Almost starved," replied Mr. Baxter. "Boys, we must get some food at
once and see to poor Johnson."

"Me do it," spoke Holfax, and he was as good as his word. Soon pots of
hot tea were ready, and, with their own supplies to draw on, the
half-starved and nearly frozen captives feasted to their hearts'
content.

Then Holfax told his story. He had been longer in getting to the camp of
the friendly Indians than he had thought he would be, and on the journey
of rescue the storm had delayed him and his friends. They came on dog
sleds, which had been left just outside of the camp. He had met Zank,
who had tried to persuade some friendly Indians to attack the white
adventurers, and had forced from the Alaskan scoundrel part of Callack's
plan. Then Zank escaped and joined his evil master.

"Now we must dig up the gold, and hurry to the south. Callack may get
together a larger band, and follow us," said Mr. Baxter, when
explanations had been made.

But they need have had no further fear of Callack, for he was beyond the
power of harming anyone. The gold was dug up, the dog teams were
harnessed, and when the supplies had been packed on the sleds, all was
in readiness for the start.

Mr. Baxter paid well the Indians whom Holfax had brought to the rescue,
and, as a further reward, they were given the dog teams, tents and other
things belonging to the thieving tribe. Thus they were abundantly
satisfied.

Holfax and a few of the Indians agreed to ac