thes of any kind, but they expected to sleep in most of
their clothes because of the cold. Mr. Baxter came back in time for
supper, and it must be said, in spite of the high prices for meals, they
were not very good. There was no use of finding fault, however, as there
were others only too anxious to get the accommodations our travelers had
secured at the hotel.

"Did you get the dogs, sleds and guides, dad?" asked Jerry when they had
gathered to look over their supplies that night in their room.

"Yes, but I had to pay higher than I calculated on. It seems there has
been a new strike made, and there is a great rush of miners to it.
Guides can get whatever pay they ask, and as for dogs and sleds, you
might almost as well buy them as hire them, only no one will sell. But I
guess we'll get along."

"When do we start for the for----" began Fred.

"Fred, you must be more careful," cautioned Mr. Baxter in a whisper.
"Don't mention the word treasure," he added in a low voice. "These
hotels are constructed in a very flimsy manner, and what is said in one
room can be heard in another. If any one gets an idea we are after a
store of hidden gold we may be followed by some rascals who would try to
steal it from us. There is practically no law in this country yet. We'll
have to wage our own battles, and I don't want to get into a fight with
any desperadoes, of whom there are many here, only too anxious to take
advantage of any one who has gold."

"I'll be more careful," Fred promised. "When are we to start for the
interior?"

"To-morrow afternoon. It will take us until then to get the dogs and
sleds here and have our stuff packed for the trip. I have also to buy a
few more supplies. Now I advise you three to stay in the room until I
return. I have to go out to transact a little business, and this
settlement is not a nice place for boys after dark. I'll leave you in
Johnson's care."

"An' if anybody tries t' do any funny work, I'll squeeze 'em laik a
grizzly bear!" threatened the colored man, stretching out his long,
powerful arms.

The cold to which they had been exposed made the boys sleepy, and they
soon dozed off. Johnson likewise fell into a slumber, from which he was
awakened by a pounding on the door.

"Who's dat?" he asked suspiciously.

"It's me. Mr. Baxter," answered the old gold hunter. "I guess I'll turn
in now. Everything is all ready for to-morrow."

They all slept soundly, though there was much noise and