Part 38 (1/2)

”If he kicks, let him clear out.”

”I think Tom is right,” put in d.i.c.k. ”We don't want him along while we are trying to locate the treasure.”

”He may slip away with our things--if he finds any trace of Baxter's party,” went on Sam. ”And we can't afford to lose anything more. One sled-load is enough. We'll be wanting some of those other things before long.”

”I don't believe that other party is around here,” said John Barrow.

”We had better leave the man at the fire. We can keep our eyes open for the enemy--as you call 'em.”

So it was arranged, and d.i.c.k told the former teacher. Jasper Grinder said but little in return, but asked about the possibility of any more wild beasts turning up.

”I don't want to be left alone to face another couple of bears,” he said. ”They would do their best to chew me up!”

”We will leave a gun in camp,” said d.i.c.k. ”If you see a bear coming, you can climb a tree and keep him off with the gun. If we hear a shot, we'll come back just as quickly as we can. But, Grinder, I want you to understand that you aren't to play us false,” went on the eldest Rover.

”If you do we'll have no mercy on you, remember that!”

Half an hour later the boys and their guide set off on their first hunt for the treasure. With great care John Barrow led the way over the rocks and other rough places. He carried a long pole, which he plunged in the snow before him whenever he was afraid there was a hollow ahead. Soon they gained the spot where d.i.c.k thought the blasted tree might be located.

The snow was sc.r.a.ped away, first in one direction and then another, until a spot several yards in diameter was cleared. No tree-stump was brought to light, although they found a slight hollow in which were several big roots.

”This might have been the tree once,” said John Barrow meditatively.

”Years make great changes, you know. The trees fall, rocks and dirt slide down hill, and that makes a big difference in the looks o'

things.”

”All we can do is to follow the directions on the map,” said d.i.c.k. ”I think we'll be bound to strike the right clew, sooner or later. Let us follow this one and see where it leads to.”

”What's the next directions?” questioned Tom.

”'Go due southwest from the pine tree sixty-two paces,'” answered d.i.c.k, reading from the translation given him. ”Which is southwest, Mr.

Barrow?”

”Soon tell ye that,” answered the guide, and brought forth his pocket compa.s.s. ”That way.” And he pointed with his arm.

With the compa.s.s to guide them they set off, the guide in the lead once more, and d.i.c.k counting off the sixty-two paces with great care. The way was up a hillside and over half a dozen rough rocks, and then into a hollow where the snow was up to their waists.

”No use of talking, this is treasure-hunting under difficulties,” was Sam's comment. ”Perhaps we would have done better had we left the hunt till summer time.”

”And let Baxter get ahead of us?” put in Tom. ”Not much!” He turned to d.i.c.k. ”What's the next directions on the paper?”

”There ought to be a flat rock here, backed up by a sharp-pointed one,”

answered the eldest Rover. ”I don't see anything of a sharp-pointed rock, do you? The flat rock may be under us.”

”No sharp-pointed rock within a hundred feet of here,” answered Sam, gazing around. He began sc.r.a.ping away the snow. ”Dirt under us, too.”

”That settles it, then. Trial No. 1 is a failure. Mr. Barrow, we'll have to try the next stream.”

”So it would seem, d.i.c.k. Well, you boys mustn't expect too easy work o'

it. A big treasure aint picked up every day.”