left that bag there in
the station master's care while I and the others went to get something
to eat. Now my bag is gone."

"Well, that is none of our affair," answered Jack. "Come on, fellows,
it's getting late. Let's be on the way."

"I'll get that bag back, or I'll make the station master pay for it,"
grumbled Gabe Werner, and then he and his cronies turned on their heels
and walked back in the direction of the railroad station.

"Gee! somebody must have walked off with his bag while he was eating,"
remarked Fred. "Rather tough luck if he had anything of real value in
it."

"Serves him right--for being so cross and cranky," was Andy's comment.
But the bag had not been stolen. It had been simply misplaced, as was
afterwards proven.

Once more the boys adjusted themselves on the boxsled, and then Gif took
up the reins and spoke to the team. Off they started at a walk, but soon
broke into a slow trot as the sled began to go down a long slope leading
in the direction of Cedar Lodge.

The way was little more than a woods road, winding in and out among the
trees. They had to mount several small hills, and on these the horses
settled down to a very slow walk.

"I guess Jed Wallop was right about Mary and John not running away,"
came from Randy. "I don't think anything short of an earthquake could
start 'em into a gallop."

"They are lumber-camp horses, used to drawing pretty heavy loads,"
explained Gif. "They may not be very much on speed, but on the other
hand you can depend on their pulling us out of any tight hole where
fancy horses might get stuck."

CHAPTER XII

AT THE FROZEN-UP SPRING

On and on went the boxsled carrying the Rovers and their chums, deeper
and deeper into the woods. Occasionally the road was so narrow that they
brushed the snow-laden bushes on one side or the other.

"Hi there, Gif, look out!" cried Randy presently. A bush had been turned
aside by those ahead, and now it slipped back, covering Randy's face
with loose snow.

"I'm sorry, Randy," returned Gif. "But we've got to take this road as it
comes. You'll have to watch out, just as the others are doing."

There was a smoky lantern dangling from the front of the boxsled, but
this gave little light. The moon was down beyond the trees, and only the
diamond-like stars glittered overhead.

"How much further have we got to go?" questioned Jack presently, after
they had passed a crossroads and kept to the right, as Jed Wallop h