Part 28 (1/2)

”We'll starve before we give up the secret of the gold,” he said boldly.

”That's what I thought you'd say!” exclaimed Mr. Baxter. ”I didn't think you'd give in, Fred. Now let them do their worst! We'll show them how brave boys and a strong man can go without eating. I don't believe he'll dare let us die. And Holfax may come at any time now. Yes, boys, we'll defy that scoundrel!”

At that moment several Indians appeared at the flap of the tent.

”Come,” said one who spoke a little English. ”You go.”

”I wonder what's up now?” said Fred. ”Has he found the gold?”

There was no choice but to obey, and the captives went outside. It was snowing furiously.

CHAPTER XXIV

DOUBLE HARDs.h.i.+P

Callack stood in front of the tent from which the captives were led by the Indians. He was so bundled up in furs that he was scarcely recognizable, and, as Mr. Baxter walked toward him, the man said:

”I'm going to give you one more chance to tell where the gold is. Will you?”

”I will not.”

”Be careful! You don't know what you are going to suffer!”

”You have my answer. I'll not tell you where the gold is, and you had better be careful what you do. Friends are on the way to rescue us.”

”They will arrive too late.”

”What do you mean?”

”I mean that unless you reveal the secret you will be left out in the open all night, with only such clothing as you now have on, and not a morsel of food, nor a drop of warm drink shall you have. Now do you still refuse to tell me?”

Mr. Baxter hesitated. The double hards.h.i.+p might be more than the boys could stand. As for himself, he believed he could hold out until help came. But it was terribly cold, and the storm that was now howling about the camp gave promise of being a fierce one. Should he give in?

A moment's reflection decided him. He thought Holfax must be near at hand. Perhaps he would come by morning, and they could stand the cold and exposure until then.

”Well?” asked Callack impatiently.

”You can go ahead with your cruelty,” replied Mr. Baxter. ”I'll never tell you where the gold is.”

With a muttered exclamation Callack turned aside. At an order from him a moment later the Indians led the captives to the top of the ice hummock.

A more exposed place in a storm could not well be found. The wind swept over it with great velocity, making it colder than down in the more sheltered places. To be left there without food was almost certain death.

Yet there Callack was going to leave his prisoners. Johnson, who still suffered from the blow on the head so that he was dazed, was led out from a tent, and the four treasure finders were tied with strong thongs, part of the dog harness being used.

Under the direction of Callack three of the Indians were making the final fastenings of the bonds, when there suddenly arose a disturbance among the others, who were grouped about the sleds of the treasure seekers. There were loud voices, and then angry cries.

”Those imps are fighting!” muttered Callack. ”I'll soon put a stop to that!”