flat stone, on which the boys had
frequently sat while cooking the meals. Straight down the ravine from
the stone was the storehouse. To reach the latter seemed simple enough,
but it was not so easy after all.

Now and then he would throw himself flat, and stretch out his arms and
legs to their fullest extent to make sure that the tunnel had no crooks.

At last something occurred that made his heart leap for joy. The slab of
bark struck a hard obstacle. Hamp tore eagerly at the snow with both
hands. Yes, he had found the fireplace. One by one he lifted the charred
embers of wood. Here was the half-consumed log that had ceased to burn
when the storm opened. So far the tunnel was just what he had aimed to
make it.

In a short time Hamp cleared the space round about him, and flattened
the snow down solidly. He was tempted to push straight ahead for the
storehouse, but a prudent second thought caused him to abandon the rash
design. He turned to the right, and went on with the excavation. Hope
made the time pass quickly, and he was surprised when he struck the flat
stone. He tunneled clear over it with extreme caution. Then he veered
sharply to the left and followed the triangular point of the stone,
which he knew pointed straight for the storehouse.

Deeper and deeper grew the tunnel, and soon his feet were quite beyond
the stone. He could barely kick it with his heels when he threw himself
flat. The goal was now within six or eight feet.

Then came a sudden rumble and whirr, and Hamp felt a weight drop upon
the rear part of his body. He knew what had happened, and threw himself
convulsively forward. He cleared the fallen snow and then wheeled
quickly around. The tunnel had disappeared. The roof had fallen in.

Hamp had no way of telling how far back the blockade extended.

"I'll have to turn back and clear the path," he reflected. "The cave-in
surely can't reach farther than the stone. This time I'll make the roof
stronger. I can be thankful it didn't drop all over me."

The cleared space around him permitted him to turn slowly on his hands
and knees. He described a complete revolution, gently patting the roof
overhead to make sure that it was solid.

It was a most stupid thing to do, and when the realization of his folly
flashed upon his mind, Hamp felt that he would give much to be able to
kick himself. In truth, he had blundered into a most perplexing
situation. He had utterly lost his bearings.

For a momen