Part 19 (1/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”The force of the blow shoved the man ahead”

_Page 117_]

But there was no need. Coasting down the declivity, Fred struck Mr.

Baxter on the shoulder with his outstretched hands, and the force of the blow shoved the man ahead. Straight ahead it forced him, the weight of Fred's body, with the speed it had attained, being sufficient to send Mr. Baxter within the cave. Fred followed also, being unable to stop.

An instant later, with a terrific crash, the great icicle came down where, but a moment before, Mr. Baxter had been prostrate on the ice.

His life had been saved by Fred's brave and quick act.

Mr. Baxter slowly struggled to his feet, within the cave. Fred also got up. The youth was trembling from the excitement and exertion.

”Fred,” spoke up Mr. Baxter, ”you saved my life!”

”I am glad I thought of sliding down to you,” replied the boy modestly.

”It came to me in a flash that it was the only way.”

”Yes, and you came against me like a flash, only a little more solidly, or it wouldn't have done any good,” went on the man.

Jerry, who had watched the rescue with awe-struck eyes, hastened into the cavern, climbing over the broken ma.s.ses of the great icicle. His emotion was such that, for a moment, he could not speak. He had thought to see his father crushed to death. Then he clasped the hand of his parent in one of his, and extended the other to Fred.

”I shall never forget what you did,” he said to Fred.

”Nor I,” added Mr. Baxter. ”If we don't get any of the hidden gold I shall feel that I owe Fred a debt I can never pay.”

”h.e.l.lo dar!” exclaimed a voice at this juncture. ”Whar am everybody? Did anyt'ing happen?”

”It's Johnson,” said Mr. Baxter. ”Yes, something did happen.”

”Whar am yo'?” asked the colored man. ”I can hear yo', but I cain't see yo'.”

The entrance to the cave, in which were the three, was partly hidden from view by the broken ice.

”We're in the cavern,” replied Fred, stepping to the opening, where Johnson could see him.

”Do you think this is the place, father?” asked Jerry, gazing around curiously.

”I think so. It seems to correspond with the map. But we shall soon find out. Probably the gold is not buried very deep, as Stults did not have much time. The cave is small, and it ought not to take long to explore it thoroughly. George, tell Holfax where we are, have him make a sort of temporary camp just outside here, and bring up the tools. We'll stay in the cave, I think. It's warmer than outside.”

The colored man went back to join the Indian, while Mr. Baxter and the boys looked about the cave, as well as they were able to in the darkness. The cavern was about twenty feet square, and the roof seemed to be quite high up. It was formed of rock, and here and there water had leaked through and frozen, long, sharp icicles hanging from the sloping sides and roof.

”When we get a lantern lighted we can begin to dig for the treasure,”

said Mr. Baxter. ”I'm afraid it will be difficult work, though, for the ground is frozen as hard as a stone.”

The thought of being so near the store of precious metal took their minds off of the narrow escape from death that Mr. Baxter had just had.

Fred recovered his nerve, and waited with impatience the return of Johnson and Holfax with the lanterns and tools.

The latter were soon at the cave, having brought the dogs and sleds as close as possible to the entrance. After bringing in the tools, and several lanterns, fitted to burn alcohol, and arranged to give a more brilliant light than the usual little blue flame from that fluid, the colored man and the Indian, in obedience to orders from Mr. Baxter, went outside.

”I don't want them to see us when we come upon the gold,” said Mr.