en, the runners slipped easily over the frozen surface. It
was becoming colder, and the wind created by their speed cut into the
faces of the travelers.

The Indians did not seem to mind the wind, but kept yelling and shouting
to their dogs, urging them to still faster speed. Perhaps this shouting
and the swinging of the long whips kept the Alaskans warm. But Mr.
Baxter, the boys and the colored man felt the cold very much in spite of
their thick garments as they sat on the sleds.

"I should think those Indians would freeze down inside, they keep their
mouths open so much, shouting," remarked Fred.

"It is a wonder they don't," agreed Jerry. "Whenever I open my mouth it
feels as if some one had stuffed an icicle in."

"By the way, boys," said Mr. Baxter as his sled came opposite Fred's and
Jerry's, "did it strike you that there was anything familiar about that
man who wished us good luck as we were coming away?"

"Yes, he's the man with the glass eye who tried to get some information
from me while we were on the ship," answered Fred.

"I thought so."

"And I think he said something to the driver of Johnson's sled," went on
Fred.

"That's what I thought, too," said Jerry's father. "I wonder what it
meant? I don't like that man's actions. I hope we can trust our guides."

"Why, are they liable to do us any harm?" asked Fred.

"Well, there are good Alaskan Indians and bad ones. I tried to hire good
ones, but there are many thieves among them, and, now that they know the
value of gold, they are as wild after it as any white men."

"Do you think you can trust our men?"

"I hope so. I am sure Holfax is all right, for he was recommended to me
by an old miner whom I know. As for the others, I'll have to be on the
lookout."

"Johnson's driver seems to be hanging back, as if he wanted to find out
what we are talking about," said Fred suddenly.

"So he does. Holfax," said Mr. Baxter quickly, "make go fast--run dogs,"
and he motioned to Zank, whose team of snarling animals was going very
slowly.

Holfax, who was in charge of the other Indians, called out something.
Zank answered in what seemed to be angry tones, but he shouted to his
dogs, and once more they took the lead.

"We'll have to watch that fellow," murmured Mr. Baxter.

Their way now lay over a small range of hills, and as they got on top
the cruel cold smote them more and more. The day was a cloudy one, and
the wind sprang up, sending the dry snow in