"We are looking for our uncle," he said.
"Oui? What heem name?"
"Lakewood. Silas Lakewood."
"What heem do up here, eh?"
"He came up here from Nome some months ago on a prospecting trip."
"He no geet back?"
"No."
"What heem look like?"
"It will probably seem strange to you, but the fact is we have never seen him," Bob replied and went on to tell how it had all come about.
"Dat bon story," the man said when he had finished. "You say dat man's name what come wid heem ees Long, eh?"
"That's it. Have you seen them?"
The man slowly shook his head. "Non, me no see them."
A little later he joined the others at cards and the three friends were left alone at the farther side of the room where they could converse in low tones without danger of being overheard.
"It's a queer thing that they haven't taken our revolvers away from us," Bob declared.
"I was just thinking that same thing," Jack added. "What's the matter with holding them up right now?"
But the Indian shook his head as he whispered. "Eet no go. Dey watch us all the tam. You reach for gun an' they geet you first."
"He's right, Jack," Bob agreed. "I have an idea they wouldn't object to an excuse for shooting us. We'd better sit tight for the present and play it safe."
"But I'll bet my last year's straw hat that that guy was lying when he said he hadn't seen Uncle or Long. Didn't you notice how he hesitated when you asked him?"
"I did, and I think you're right about the lying. He's seen them all right."
About an hour later the other two men came in from the back room and joined in the game which lasted until nearly six o'clock. Then another two set about getting supper while the others continued to play. Not a word had been said to the three prisoners during the afternoon after their first conversation with the leader and, to a casual observer, it would have appeared that they were taking no notice of them. But they knew that not a single motion escaped observation and they were very careful to make no move which could possibly be interpreted as hostile.
The supper, although not as elaborate as the dinner, was a good one and, although they had eaten a big dinner, they did it full justice. The meal over the game of cards was resumed and again the three were left to their own resources.
"My, but this is getting monotonous," Jack declared when a clock on the mantle over the fireplace struck nine. "If we only had something to read it wouldn't be so bad."
But there was neither paper nor book anywhere in the room so far as they could see. But soon after the game broke up and it was evident that bed time had arrived.
"You geeve promise we no tie you up," the leader said, crossing the room to their side.
"Nothing doing," Bob fold him without hesitation.
"Den we have tie you up."
"I reckon you'll have to do as you think best about that."
"Geeve me you guns."
It was an order they had been expecting and, knowing it would be useless to refuse, they complied, after which the man searched each one carefully. Then he spoke a few words to one of his men who at once left the room returning a few minutes later with some pieces of rope about the size of clothesline.
"You geet een deese bunk," the man ordered pointing at the end of the room away from the fireplace.
With no protest they complied and the man proceeded to tie their hands behind their backs and their feet together. Then he covered them each with a heavy blanket and said:
"You no be ver' bon sleep, but you no geeve promise."
"That's all right," Bob told him cheerfully.
"You geet cold you call an' me geet you more blanket, oui."
"Thanks."
In another five minutes the lights had been extinguished and only a feeble flicker from the dying fire illuminated the room. Bob had chosen the lowest of the three bunks and he knew that Jack was in the one next above while the Indian occupied the top one. He had expected they would be tied during the night, but was not sure whether or not a watch would be kept on them. He had, for several years together with Jack, practiced the art of freeing himself from bonds and both boys were about as expert at the trick as the Great Houdini himself. During the evening he had cautioned Jack to be on the watch for the move so, while the man was tying their wrists together both boys were straining every muscle in order to get as much slack as possible when they relaxed. But Bob had sensed during the tying that the man was no weakling at the job and he was not at all sure that he could free his hands when the time came.
For an hour he made no effort to get his hands free and he had cautioned Jack to wait until he should give him the signal. When the clock struck eleven he gave a slight cough which a moment later was answered from the bunk above and he knew that Jack understood. He was certain that they had stationed no watch, relying on the security of the ropes, and he was also quite sure that they were all asleep and he knew that, as a rule, these breeds were sound sleepers.
From the feel of the rope about his wrists he knew he was in for a long job even if he succeeded. Although he had done his best there was mighty little slack so tightly had the man tied the rope. He hoped that Jack had been able to secure more, but did not dare whisper to find out. The half hour struck and he was still striving and about ready to give up the task as impossible when he felt rather than heard Jack slip from his bunk.
"You untied?"
"No, he got 'em too tight."
"I just made it and that's all."
With Jack's assistance his hands were soon free and he quickly released his feet.
"Be careful when you wake Lucky," Jack whispered.
But, although the Indian had made no movement he was wide awake and, as soon as Bob had freed his hands and feet, he slipped to the floor beside them. The room was in darkness as the fire had gone out all but a few live coals which gave no light.
"Stay right here till I get the rifles," Bob ordered.
He knew that their rifles had been stood in a corner to the right of the fire and he stepped across the room in that direction his moccasins making not the slightest sound. In a moment he was back with the guns and they lost no time in opening the door and stepping outside.
"So far so good," Jack whispered with a sigh of relief.
"Have they got any dogs?" Bob asked Lucky.
"I tink not. Injun see no dog."
"Then we probably can get ours without making any noise."
"Oui, I tink so."
"It would be a big item in our favor if we could take all their rifles and revolvers away from them," Jack suggested as they moved away from the door.
"Too risky," Bob whispered.
"What do you think, Lucky?" Jack asked.
"Bob right. Eet too risky."
"You may be right but it seems to me that it would be worth the risk for we'd then have them at our mercy."
"But they'll sleep till six o'clock and that'll give us about six hours' start."
"Start for where?"
"Gee, that's so. Where are we going to start for? We haven't found Uncle yet."
"And he's up here somewhere and something tells me that that man Long has some kind of a connection with this gang." Jack declared as they reached the rear of the cabin.
"And, of course, we can't go till we find him."
"Of course not."
That they were in a predicament was evident to all. To be sure they had made good their escape for the time being, but they well knew that, as things stood then, their recapture was only a matter of a few hours and their captors would undoubtedly see to it that they did not make their escape a second time. If only their mission was completed and they could leave at once, the chances were greatly in favor of a complete get away, but, come what might, all three were agreed that such action was out of the question. While the men had, in a way, treated them kindly they knew that they were men who would hesitate at nothing to accomplish their purpose whatever that might be.
"Well, we've got to do some tall thinking and do it quick," Bob declared. "What's your opinion, Lucky?"
"We must no geet caught again."
"That's easy to say," Jack said. "But how are we going to help it? We can't move a foot in this snow without leaving tracks and they're six to our three and in a rough and tumble we wouldn't be in it for a minute."
"Oui, you heet eet."
"Then what can we do? It seems to me that my plan of getting all their weapons is the only thing left for us."
"Eet ver' risky."
"Of course it's risky, but we've taken risks before."
"Their rifles are hanging on the walls and I reckon we could get them easy enough," Bob said thoughtfully, "but when it comes to their six guns it's a cat of another color. They've got them in their belts and it would take a miracle to get them all without waking any of them. If it was only one or even two it might be done, but six—it's practically impossible."
"But not absolutely," Jack insisted.
"Well, what's your plan?"
"My idea is for all of us to go in and for one of us to frisk them while the others stand guard with the rifles ready. If one of them wakes up we could simply tell them that the first one to move out of his bunk would get a hunk of lead in his skin."
"But it's dark in there and we couldn't see them and they could shoot from their bunks," Bob objected.
"And that's where the risk comes in. Mind I didn't say it wasn't dangerous."
"Let's see," Bob mused aloud. "They've probably all got at least one gun and with our three it makes nine and even then we couldn't be sure we had them all. What do you say, Lucky?"
"White boys stay out here an' Injun go in geet guns."
"Not so you'd notice it," Jack broke in and Bob agreed with him.
"But that the ver' best—" the Indian began, but Bob interrupted.
"No use to argue on that line, old man. Either we all go in as Jack proposed, or we try some other plan."
"And that's final," Jack added.
"If it was only light enough in there so that we could keep them covered—" Bob began.
"But it isn't, so there's no use wishing it was," Jack interrupted. "I tell you it's our only chance."
"And it's a mighty slim one."
"I grant you that but I still stick to it that it's the thing to do. The way I look at it is this, if one of them wakes up and starts shooting the chances are that he wouldn't hit us and, if it got too hot, we could bolt the door and once outside we'd be no worse off than we're going to be when they catch us in the morning as they're going to do if we don't get those guns."
"I don't know, but you're right," Bob said slowly.
"Of course I am."
"Do you think so, Lucky?" Bob asked.
"Oui, I t'ink heem heet eet."
Bob was far from convinced that the move, proposed by Jack, was a wise one but, for the life of him, he was unable to suggest anything else and, after a few more objections, he gave in.
"Who's going to do the frisking?" he asked.
"Injun do eet Injun ver' bon like that," Lucky told them.
"All right then. We'll stand guard and, mind now both of you, if they start any shooting make for the door as quickly as possible."
It was a desperate chance they were taking and Bob's heart beat rapidly as they retraced their steps and once more stood before the door.
"It's up to you, Lucky," he whispered as the Indian reached out his hand to push the door open.
"Injun do heem best," Lucky whispered back.
"I know it," Bob assured him.
Another instant and they once more stood in the room. They could hear the heavy breathing of the men and one of them was snoring loudly enough, Jack afterward declared, to wake the dead. The two boys at once took their position by the big table and the Indian approached the nearest of the bunks. It was so dark that they were unable to see a hand before their eyes, a fact that Bob was undecided whether to regard as an advantage or otherwise. Plenty of light would undoubtedly be to their advantage should any of the men awake for it would enable them to keep them quiet in their bunks, but a little light, perhaps, would throw the advantage to the other side. Maybe, on the whole, it was just as well that it was dark. Not a sound save the breathing of the men and the stentorion tones of the snorer broke the silence. Lucky was doing his work with absolute silence and, as minute after minute passed, Bob began to breath more easily. Perhaps they would succeed after all.
It seemed to him that a long time had passed when he felt a touch on his arm and he knew that Lucky was thrusting revolvers into the pockets of his coat. He longed to ask him if he was through, but did not dare and then he knew he was not for he did not give the signal to leave. Carefully feeling with his hands he counted six revolvers and wondered if he had put any in Jack's pockets. Then, suddenly, his heart skipped a beat as he heard a movement in the direction of the bunks.
"What de matter?" he heard one of the men grumble.
He reached out a hand and touched Jack's arm as a caution for him to keep silent.
"Can't you no let feller sleep?" came, in sleepy tones from another bunk.
"What for you touch me den?"
"Me no touch you, you have de dream, oui."
"Shut up you feller," came in louder tones which Bob recognized as the leader's.
Then all was still again.
"That was a narrow one," Bob thought.
The minutes passed and he wondered if the Indian was again at his work. He knew he would wait some time to permit them to get to sleep again. Then, suddenly, he was conscious of a new sound which seemed to come from the room at the rear. It was so slight a sound that he strained his ears uncertain whether or not he had really heard anything. It sounded like a very feeble groan and was repeated several times so that finally he was convinced that it was no trick of imagination.
"There's someone in that room," he thought, and wondered if Jack had heard it.
Would Lucky never finish? It seemed to the anxious boy that hours had passed since they had re-entered the room when he at last felt a tug at his sleeve and knew that the Indian was telling him that it was over.
"Thank God," he breathed as he reached out his hand and caught hold of Jack's arm.
A moment more and they were again outside.
"Did you get them all?" Bob whispered as soon as they were well away from the door.
"No can tell. Geet all could find."
"How many?"
"I t'ink ten."
"That's one apiece and one over," Jack said. "Now what do you think of my plan?"
"It turned out well, but if it hadn't—"
"Quit hanging crepe," Jack interrupted. "They didn't."
"But they came mighty near it."
"I'll say they did and I was just on the point of ordering hands up when you touched me."
"It's a good think I touched you then."
"I'll say it was."
"Say, Jack, did you hear anything while in there?" Bob asked suddenly.
"Heard one fellow snoring if that's what you mean."
"No. I thought I heard something that seemed to come from that back room."
"As if someone was groaning?"
"Yep, that was it."
"Now you speak of it seems as though I did. Yes, I remember wondering what it could be."
"Did you hear it, Lucky?"
"No, Injun too busy."
"Well, I'm convinced that there's someone there and I think we ought to investigate," Bob declared.
"Maybe they've got Uncle Silas and that Long tied up in there," Jack suggested.
"Just what I was thinking."
"Well there's a way to find out."
"I know, but I wish I was sure that Lucky got all their guns."
"You can't be, so what's the use of wishing? Let's go out back and see if there's a rear door."
"You didn't get hold of a flashlight did you, Lucky?" Bob asked as they started around back.
"Oui, I geet one," and the Indian pulled it from his pocket and handed it to Bob.
"Good."
They found a door at the rear as they had expected and, as they reached it, Bob said:
"No need of more than one going in. You two stay here and I'll see what there is there."
"You leave door open," Lucky declared.
The door was not locked and yielded readily to his touch and he quickly stepped inside leaving it wide open as the Indian had ordered. It was pitch dark inside and, for an instant, he listened. Soon he was conscious of heavy breathing and, pressing the spring of the flashlight, he threw its beams about the room. As he had expected it was the kitchen and in one corner, near the stove, lay the body of a man. As Bob bent over the form he perceived that it was a man slightly past middle age. He bent over and touched the man lightly on the shoulder.
"S-s-s-s-h," he whispered as he moved. "Don't make a noise."
"Who—who are you?" the man whispered.
"I'm a friend. Are you tied?"
"Yes."
Bob knelt on the floor and in a moment had untied the piece of rope with which the man's hands were tied behind his back. Then he released his feet which were also tightly bound together.
"Can you get up?" he asked.
"I—I guess so."
"Just a minute and I'll help you."
He turned off the light and thrust it into his pocket and then, putting his hands beneath the man's shoulders he helped him to his feet.
"You are pretty weak," he whispered.
"I'm starved. Had nothing to eat for five days."
"The brutes."
By this time they had reached the door and in another minute were outside.
"You found him," Jack whispered.
"Yes, and they've nearly starved him."
"Who—who are you?" the man again asked weakly.
"My name is Bob Lakewood and this is my brother, Jack and—"
"Lakewood, did you say?" the man interrupted.
"Yes, and unless I'm mistaken you are Silas Lakewood."
"And—and you—you are my nephews."
"Right, but we must not stand here talking now."
"They'll kill you if—if—" the man faltered.
"Not that bad," Bob assured him. "You see we've got all their guns, that is, we think we have and—" Then he stopped short. "Well of all the dumb—"
"What's the matter now?" Jack interrupted.
"The rifles. We forgot them."
"What do you know about that?"
"Injun no forgeet heem."
"You mean you got them, Lucky?" Bob asked quickly.
"Oui. Them rifle all out whar dog be."
"But when did you do it?"
"After put leetle guns in your pocket. Then geet rifles."
"And I thought you had gone back for the rest of the revolvers," Bob told him.
While talking they had been walking toward the shed which stood about forty feet to one side of the cabin, Bob and Jack supporting their uncle one on each side.
"We'd better start now as soon as we can, eh Lucky?" Bob asked as they stopped in front of the shed.
The Indian had gone ahead to make sure that the dogs made no noise and assured them that he would have the team hitched in "a leetle minute."
Among their stores were several bottles of malted milk and Bob quickly rummaged in the pack and found one which he emptied into a dipper and brought to his uncle.
"I reckon this is the best we can do just now," he told him, "and I'm not sure, but that it's about the best thing you could have if you haven't eaten for five days."
Mr. Lakewood drank the milk eagerly and declared that nothing could have been better suited to his needs. He had hardly finished when Lucky announced that the team was ready to start. Their snow-shoes were quickly secured, having been stuck in the snow by the door of the cabin and, as soon as they had arranged a place on the sled for their uncle and had wrapped him in heavy blankets, they were ready for the start.
"Where did you put their rifles?" Bob asked the Indian as the latter picked up his long whip.
"Put 'em een binder pack on sled."
"Then I reckon we're all ready to start, eh?"
"Oui, we go queek."
But at that instant, just as Lucky was about to give the word to the dogs, Jack grabbed Bob by the arm and whispered:
"Look."
At the same time he pointed toward the cabin and Bob's heart skipped a beat as he saw that there was a light in the big room.
"Now the fat's in the fire," he gasped.
"But it isn't burnt, not yet," Jack told him. "If Lucky got all their guns they can't do much."
"If he only did," Bob repeated.
"What'll we do?" Jack asked turning to the Indian who stood staring at the cabin, his hands on the handles of the sled.
"We go," he said stoically. "Mush," he gave the order in a voice little above a whisper, but the dogs heard it and bounded forward in the traces.
"Have gun all ready," Lucky ordered.
In order to keep in the trail they were obliged to pass within a few feet of the front door of the cabin and, as the two boys, who were walking ahead of the sled, came opposite it, it flew open and the big leader of the gang rushed out. But he was not off the step before both Bob and Jack had him covered.
"Hands up."
The order evidently was no new one to the man for he obeyed without an instant's hesitation.
"You—you—" he started, then stopped as though at a loss for words as he caught sight of the sled and the man seated on it as it passed them.
"Well, what about us?" Bob demanded.
"You—you geet away?"
"Looks like it."
"But—but me—me tie you ver' hard," the man stammered.
"You sure did but not hard enough."
"How you geet untie?"
"That's telling. Hands up there," he ordered sharply as another of the breeds appeared in the doorway.
Instead of obeying the man dodged back into the room and Bob's heart almost stopped. What if the fellow had a gun? He could easily shoot them both from a window.
"You geet all our gun."
Bob was not sure whether the sentence was a question or a statement of fact.
"I hope so," he said.
He was beginning to take courage again for no shot had come from the room and he now was almost convinced that Lucky had indeed secured them all. Already the sled was some distance down the trail, and, turning to Jack, he said:
"Let's go." Then, turning back to the man who still stood "reaching for the stars," he remarked:
"Yes, we've got your guns and I'd advise you not to follow us for, believe me, we shall be on the watch and, after seeing how you have treated that man you had in the back room, we'll not have the slightest scruples against protecting ourselves."
"But you go leave us wid no gun we starve."
"That's your lookout, but I reckon it won't be as bad as that."
"You geeve me only one gun?"
"Do you think I'm a fool?"
"Me promise me no shoot."
"Nothing doing."
Seeing that his appeal was having no effect the man changed his attitude and became threatening.
"You no geeve us guns we keel you," he stormed.
"I have no doubt but that you will if you can, but let me tell you once for all that if you follow us we'll shoot the first man we see and don't you forget it. Come on, Jack."
Jack started off down the trail and Bob followed, keeping his head turned and his gun trained on the man until they were some hundred feet away. Then he quickened his pace and quickly caught up with Jack who was some distance ahead.
"Talk about your minutes of suspense," he said. "When that guy dodged back I expected to feel that sting of a bullet any second."
"So did I, but I reckon Lucky must have made a clean sweep of them," Jack declared.
"Well it sure saved our lives."
"You said it. But do you think they'll follow us?"
"There's no telling. I reckon they're a bit of a coward when the cards are stacked against them."
"And Lucky sure stacked 'em that time," Jack chuckled.
"Unless they find a gun which he overlooked I don't see, but we're safe enough. All we've got to do is to be on our guard every minute of the time."
"You bet."
While talking they had been hurrying along as rapidly as possible and in a few minutes they had caught up with Lucky.
"They no follow?" he asked.
"I hardly think so," Bob told him. "I tried to make in plain to him that it would be dangerous to do so."
"Injun mebby ought not come on leave white boy thar but—"
"You did exactly the right thing," Bob assured him.
"Injun ver' sure he geet all um gun."
"And I reckon you did."
"Oui."
"Do you reckon they'll follow us?" Jack asked.
"No can tell."
"They'll follow us." Mr. Lakewood made the last statement in a tone that left no doubt as to his feelings in the matter.
"Why do you think so?" Bob asked
"Because they're scared to death of that man, Long."
"Where is he?" Bob asked eagerly.
"He left two days ago for town with a load of furs."
"On a dog sled?"
"Yes."
"It's rather strange that we didn't meet him."
"But you came up by the river didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Then that's why you didn't meet him. You see there's another trail back from the river and, as it's a bit shorter, he probably took it."
"Then he can't get back for at least three days more can he?" Bob asked.
"It'll probably be four at the least, as he'll stay in town for a day to rest the dogs and to fill up on booze."
"Then I reckon we don't need fear anything from him."
"No, I don't think so."
They had not stopped while talking, but had kept on at a slow pace but now Lucky snapped his long lash and the dogs sprang forward at a smart trot.
"We geet on ver' queek now," he said.
While there was no moon the sky was studded thickly with stars and, in the north great streamers of light flashed from horizon to zenith giving them plenty of light to travel by. Hour followed hour and the boys were beginning to wonder if Lucky was never going to stop for a rest and for breakfast when he finally ordered the dogs to halt in the middle of a large open space the first they had encountered for some time.
"We eat," he announced.
"You bet we'll eat," Jack assured him.
"Have go some ways geet wood but no dare stop whar woods thick. Bad mans may be follow."
"We'll get the wood all right," Bob said as he and Jack started for the edge of the clearing after Lucky had pulled an axe from the pack and handed it to them.
They were fortunate in finding a dead tree almost at once and inside of half an hour from the time they had reached the place a fire was sending its dancing flames into the darkness. They still had left three of the fish Jack had caught and soon they were sizzling in the frying pan while beside it a pot of potatoes was boiling.
"Reckon we'll have to omit the dessert," Jack chuckled as he turned the fish.
"Who wants dessert for breakfast?" Bob laughed.
"Is this breakfast? It's dark so much of the time up here that it's hard to tell which is which."
Lucky, as soon as he had fed the dogs, had found another bottle of malted milk and their uncle sat by the fire, slowly sipping the beverage.
"Best thing I ever tasted," he told them.
"If that's good just wait till you get some of this fish," Jack laughed.
"I suppose you are wondering how I came to be in that fix," Mr. Lakewood said as, a little later, they started to eat.
"We sure are," Bob assured him. "But you'd better wait till you get a bit of your strength back before you tell us about it."
"This food is putting strength into me at the rate of a mile a minute," he laughed, "and I'm plenty strong enough to talk. Besides I'll cut it short."
"And we'll be glad to hear about it," Bob assured him.
"Well, you probably know all about why I started up this way so I won't go into that. Oh yes, I was warned as to what kind of a man Long is, but somehow I was drawn to him and didn't believe half that was said against him. But now I know it was all true and more. He's a rascal if ever there was one. Everything went all right for several weeks except that we didn't find any gold. That didn't worry me particularly as I came up here more from a love of adventure than for the sake of the gold. You see, I've got more money now than I know how to spend, not that I mean to brag about it, you understand, but I've always loved to hunt for gold and other things. But our failure to find any gold seemed to be gradually changing Long's nature. He became morose and actually abusive at times.
"I stood it for some time and then one day told him what I thought of his actions and that, unless he cut it out, we'd part company. Well, he seemed to go almost crazy and, to make a long story short, he finally blamed me for bringing him up here and swore that I must sign over to him my interest in a very valuable gold mine in Colorado. Of course I refused and he knocked me down with his fist when my back was turned. I struck my back somehow in falling and have been nearly helpless ever since although it's been getting better all the time and is nearly well now."
"But what's his connection with those breeds?" Bob asked as he paused. "I suppose they're trappers."
"Yes, they're trappers and mighty good ones, judging from the stack of pelts they've taken so far this year. But, as to Long's connection with them, I only know that he has some sort of hold on them and that, strange as it may seem, they're scared to death of him. We stayed in that cabin you probably saw about half way between here and Arctic City for several weeks and then he brought me up here. I don't know why. We had been there about two weeks and the breeds were kind enough to me when he wasn't around, but he tried in every way he could to force me to sign that paper. Why he even beat me with a whip. Finally he declared that I'd not get another mouthful of food till I signed it. That was five days ago."
"And you've been tied up since then?"
"Every minute."
"The brutes."
"You mean brute. The breeds are really not so bad. Two or three of them are what you'd call good fellows and I know they wanted to help me but they didn't dare."
"Not even after he'd gone?"
"Not even after he'd gone. I suspect that they thought he might cut short his trip or get back sooner than they expected and catch them if they did for me what he'd ordered them not to do. Oh, he owns them body and soul all right but, as I said before, I don't know how or why."
"I reckon it's lucky we got there about the time we did," Jack grinned.
"It saved my life for I'd have died before I'd have given in to him. Oh, I know that sounds foolish and I reckon it is, but I'm made that way and can't help it."
By this time they had finished eating and Lucky declared that they had better be on their way. The Indian had not said a word while Mr. Lakewood had been telling his story, but the boys knew that he had not missed a sentence and that he was deeply impressed. Mr. Lakewood asked if they had an extra pair of snow-shoes, declaring that he was strong enough to walk, but neither the boys nor Lucky would listen to it and he finally consented to ride a little longer.
It was about an hour later when, as they were passing through a particularly thick bit of woods, Lucky spoke softly to Bob, who was striding close by his side.
"You drive heem leetle while?"
"Sure."
"Injun go back leetle piece. Want see any them breed follow."
"All right, but you be careful now."
"Oui. Injun be ver' careful."
Jack was walking some distance ahead of the team and it was a half hour later when he glanced back and missed the Indian.
"Where's Lucky?" he asked after waiting for the team to catch up with him.
Bob told him where the Indian had gone and for what purpose and Jack agreed that it was a wise move but added:
"He ought to be catching up with us pretty soon don't you think?"
"I'm giving him an hour and he's only been gone about half that time."
"I imagine he can take care of himself," Mr. Lakewood added.
"He can if anyone can," Jack agreed. "But you've got to remember that, if they're all following us it's six to one."
"But the one is armed," Bob reminded him.
"I know but how do you know that they might not have found a gun or two?"
"Who's hanging crepe now?" Bob asked.
"I'm not, only we don't want to take too much for granted, not this trip we don't."
Since the Indian had turned back Bob had permitted the dogs to gradually lessen their pace as he did not wish to get too far ahead and, for the past few minutes they had been moving at a slow walk.
"Think we'd better wait here?" he asked.
"I would," Jack replied. "You see, if he doesn't show up soon we'll have to go back and see what's happened to him and the farther we go on the farther we'll have to go back," he explained.
Bob at once ordered the dogs to halt and the willingness with which they obeyed the word showed that they were far from rested. There was probably no stronger team in the state, but they had a heavy load and for several hours Lucky had urged them on at a rapid pace so it was not surprising that they were tired.
Another half hour passed and they were on the point of turning back when, without warning, the Indian stood before them.
"Gee, but I'm glad you're back," Jack declared.
"We were beginning to think you had been captured," Bob added.
"Injun no geet caught."
"But did you see any of the breeds?" Bob asked.
"Non, no see um."
"Then I guess they decided to take my advice."
"Oui, I t'ink so. Injun go back three, four mile, no see um."
"Then you think we're safe as far as they are concerned?" Mr. Lakewood asked.
"Oui, I t'ink so."
They traveled at a slow pace until noon when they stopped to cook dinner and to give the dogs a couple of hours rest, and at four o'clock Lucky announced that they would make camp for the night.
"We come seexty mile an' dog heem heap tired," he said.
"And they've got nothing on me at that," Jack told him.
"Same here," Bob added.
"And I haven't walked a foot of the way," their uncle complained.
"No mind that," Lucky told him. "You geet walk 'nough time we heet Nome."
Seven o'clock found them ready to turn in with the exception of Bob who was to stand the first watch. They had decided to divide the night into three watches of four hours each and Bob was to take the first. Mr. Lakewood had insisted on taking his turn but the others had ruled him down, declaring that he needed the sleep and rest and finally he had reluctantly given in.
"But beginning tomorrow I want it distinctly understood that I'm going to do my share of the work," he told them.
At eleven o'clock Bob called the Indian, who was to take the second watch and reported that nothing had happened. His watch also passed without incident as did Jack's and seven o'clock found them once more on the trail all, including the dogs, well rested and in high spirits.
If was about two o'clock when Jack, who was some distance ahead and out of sight of the others because of a clump of bushes, suddenly appeared running back.
"What's up?" Bob asked aware that something had happened.
"There's a dog team coming this way," he told them.
"How far away?"
"Must be nearly a mile. There's a big open space just ahead and he's about half way cross it."
"How many men did you see?"
"Only one."
"Then it must be Long."
"That's what I think."
"What'll we do?" Bob asked turning to Lucky.
"We go 'long, meet heem in open."
"But I'd better keep out of sight," Mr. Lakewood proposed.
"Oui, that bon plan. You geet on sled an' cover all up an' heem no see you till we geet ready," Lucky agreed.
Mr. Lakewood had refused to ride except at short intervals where the going had been exceptionally good, but now he quickly took off the extra pair of snow-shoes and got on the sled, and the Indian covered him up with a blanket so that one would never have suspected that the sled bore human freight.
"You breathe all right?"
"Sure."
"Then we go. Mush."
As they swept out into the open space they saw the other team coming at a rapid pace and not more than a quarter of a mile away.
"That Long," Lucky assured them.
"Hello, Lucky, what you doing up here?" Long sang out as soon as he was in easy speaking distance.
"We on trip," the Indian told him.
"Where you been?" was the next question, and it was plain that he was much disturbed in his mind at meeting them.
"Up nor'."
"How far?"
"Some way."
"Did you see my gang of breeds?"
"Oui."
"Hope they treated you all right."
"Oui."
"That's good. But, tell me, what are you up here for?"
"We come hunt for man."
"Whatman?"
"Heem name Lakewood. Deese boy heem nephew."
"You mean Silas Lakewood?"
"Oui."
"But he started back for Nome more'n six weeks ago. You knew he came with me, didn't you?"
"Oui."
"We came on a prospecting trip, but we didn't find a thing and he got cold feet. I wanted him to keep on with me up to my trapping camp, but he wouldn't do it and so I had to let him go. He ought to have got back to Nome long before you left."
The man was trying his best to put a lot of concern into his voice.
"Heem no geet thar."
"Well, I'm sorry to hear it but, after all, it's none of my business."
"I think it is."
The words came in a loud tone from the sled as Mr. Lakewood threw the blanket off and got to his feet.
"You!"
"Yes, it is I."
"But how—how—"
"Never mind how," Mr. Lakewood interrupted. "I'm here and do you know what I'm going to do to you?"
"No, but seeing it's four to one, I suppose you'll take me back and file a complaint against me."
"And that's where you're wrong. Bob," he said turning to the boy, "cover him with your gun. Now, Jack, you frisk him," he ordered as soon as Bob had obeyed. "Now you can put up your gun," he added after Jack had taken two revolvers from the man's belt. "Long, you struck me once when I wasn't looking and in falling I hurt my back, a fact which put me in your power for a long time. But the back's well now and I'm going to give you the sweetest licking you ever had in your life. Then you can go your way and I'll go mine and the score will be settled."
The boys started to remonstrate, but their uncle stopped them.
"No, it's no use. I never had much use for the law when it came to a thing of this sort and this is a pleasure I've been promising myself for a long time."
As he spoke he had removed his heavy coat and now he ordered Long to do the same.
"I give you my word of honor," he told him, "that this fight will be between you and me alone and if you get the best of me you can go on your way and I'll never take any action against you for what you've done to me." Then, turning to Lucky and the boys, he ordered: "Don't one of you interfere whatever happens."
"Heem one—what you call—game sport," Lucky whispered.
"I'll say he is," Bob and Jack both agreed.
Long was several inches taller than his opponent and the boys knew that his height would give him a big advantage especially in the deep snow. But they were soon to learn that their fears were entirely without foundation. The lanky trapper undoubtedly would have been able to give a good account of himself pitted against almost any one, but he was no match for Silas Lakewood. Although nearing his fiftieth year he had always kept himself in the prime of condition and, as Jack after told Bob, what he did not know about boxing simply did not exist Three minutes after the contest started Long knew he was licked, but he had grit enough not to beg for mercy and he got none.
As Mr. Lakewood had promised the licking was thorough and most beautifully administered, as Jack put it, and when it was over one of Long's eyes was closed completely and his face was battered almost to a pulp, but he was not seriously injured.
"I didn't want to hurt him so that he couldn't travel," Mr. Lakewood explained as he drew on his coat.
"You sure do—what you call heem—one bon job," Lucky declared.
As for Long, he stood by his sled slowly wiping the blood from his face. "I hope you're satisfied," he grunted.
"I am, perfectly and, so far as I am concerned, the incident is closed."
"And you'll not take action against me?"
"I reckon I've taken action enough," he smiled. "No, I'll never bother you if you keep away from me."
"Can I have my guns back?"
"No. And we're going to see if you have a rifle and if you have we're going to take that too."
"But—"
"No buts about it. I don't trust you not for a minute and we're not going to take any chances. You may as well know that we have all the guns of your friends which probably explains why they are not following us. And for that matter they may be and we figure that should you meet up with them and had a gun you'd be too dangerous. No, we'll leave the guns at Pete's store when we get back and you can get them any time."
Long made no further remonstrance and they searched his sled finding a rifle which they added to the others beneath their pack.
"So long," Mr. Lakewood cried as Lucky started his team.
But Long, who had already started made no reply.
"I guess he's sore," he chuckled.
"His face must be anyhow," Bob laughed.
"Gee, but you did it easy," Jack declared as he looked at his uncle with admiration in his eyes.
"And I'll bet my old hat you both thought I'd get licked," he laughed.
"Well, you see, he's so much taller than you," Bob said apologetically.
"But size doesn't always count, you know."
"Don't we?" Jack laughed
"When we get back you'll have to teach me some of those blows," Bob said. "I thought I knew something about boxing, but after seeing you the conceit is all knocked out of me."
"I'll teach you all I know gladly," his uncle promised and added: "and when I get time I'll tell you how I just missed being a prize fighter."
It was shortly after dark one afternoon about ten days later that Lucky halted his team in front of Pete Slinger's store in Nome. They had made the return trip without noteworthy event. Long's gang of breeds as well as the man himself, evidently having decided to let well enough alone.
As they entered the store, Pete came from the office to meet them but, as he was at the same time, reading a book he did not see who it was until he was close to them.
"Well, begorra, an' it's yerselves, so it is an' ut sure is a sight fer sore eyes ter see yer. An' yer found yer uncle, eh?" he added as he caught sight of Mr. Lakewood who entered the store last.
"We sure did," Bob laughed as he grasped the man's hand. "You know him don't you?"
"Sure. It's meself as knows him. An' now tell us all about ut."
"But where can I leave these things?" Mr. Lakewood asked as he dumped an armful of rifles and revolvers on the counter.
"Fer the luv of Mike, whar did yer pick up the arsenal?" Pete gasped as he shook hands with Mr. Lakewood.
"That's a part uv the story," Mr. Lakewood smiled. "When you get time we'll be glad to tell you all about it."
"Whin I git time, eh. Sure an' it's meself as would like ter ask why I haven't got time right now," and, striding to the door, he turned the key in the lock and led the way back to the office saying: "This store is closed fer business till I get that story."
The story was soon told and when Bob, who, at Mr. Lakewood's request, had acted as story teller for the party, had finished, Pete burst but with:
"Sure an' it's meself as knew thot man Long was a bad one but I niver thot as how he was thot bad. I told yer not ter go up thar wid him yer remember."
"Yes, I know you did," Mr. Lakewood assured him.
"Oh, but it's meself as would have liked ter have seen thot fight."
"You missed a good one let me tell you," Jack told him.
"And how soon can we get a boat for Seattle?" Bob asked a few minutes later.
"Cap'n Dick got in two days ago an' I reckon he'll be goin' out aboot day after ter-morrow an' it's barely possible he'll let yer go along," Pete grinned.
They found Captain Blake on board his ship an hour later and the reunion between the friends was warm indeed. The captain confirmed Pete's statement that he would sail the next day but one and assured them that he would be most happy to have them as passengers.
"We ought to get to the ranch in time for Christmas," Jack declared.
"Sure you will if we have a fair trip down the coast," the captain assured them. "But have you wired your father?"
"What do you know about that?" Bob asked. "Never thought of it, but I'll go right up town and attend to it."
Two days later, after an affectionate parting with Lucky, who, in spite of his protests was obliged to accept a handsome present in addition to his wages, from Mr. Lakewood and the boys, they sailed out of the harbor just as the sun was peeping over the edge of the ocean.
"We'll have to come up here again sometime," Jack declared as he stood leaning on the rail for a last hand wave to Pete Slinger who was waving them good bye from the wharf.
"Maybe we will sometime," Bob said as he too waved good bye.
THE END.