Part 26 (1/2)

”What's that?” called Jed Sanborn, rolling out of his blanket and struggling to his feet, only to be hurled flat by the snow that came down on his head.

By this time the boys were all awake and trying to get up. They heard several cracks, and then more snow came down and with it several sticks of good size.

”We must get out! If we don't we'll be hurt!” cried Whopper. ”Come on,” and he leaped for the doorway, which had been well closed, to keep out the cold.

Before Whopper could gain the outer air the entire roof of the shelter seemed to come down, and Snap and Shep were buried beneath the ruins.

Giant was caught against the wall, not far from the rude chimney. Jed Sanborn reached the doorway, and he and Whopper managed to push down the barrier and leap outside.

Some of the snow tumbled into the fire and this created a smoke which all but stifled poor Giant, who, for several minutes could hardly move. In the meantime Snap and Shep were flat on their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, trying to squirm from under the ma.s.s that was pressing them to the earth.

”The others have been caught!” exclaimed Whopper, in horror, as he gazed behind him. ”Oh, what shall we do?”

”Tear the stuff apart as fast as we can,” answered the old hunter, and set the example by springing back and pulling on branches, poles and chunks of snow. Whopper set in to do likewise, and the pair labored like Trojans for several minutes. Then they caught sight of Snap and actually hauled him from the wreckage feet first!

”Who's out and who's caught?” demanded Snap, as soon as he could speak, and having learned he went on: ”We must get Shep and Giant out, before the fire reaches them!”

”Help! help!” came faintly from Giant.

”Where are you?” asked Snap.

”Here--next to the chimney. I am wedged fast. The smoke is choking me!”

”We'll git him out!” spoke Jed Sanborn, who had not stopped in his labors, and he pitched in harder than ever, with Whopper and Snap doing all they could to aid him. Snap had his face and one hand badly scratched, but paid no attention, just then, to the blood which was flowing from the wounds.

It was not long before the three outside were able to aid Shep. Using all his strength, which was considerable, Jed Sanborn held up a portion of the fallen roof and Shep crawled forth until Whopper and Snap could get hold of him and raise him up. He had suffered but little, although the breath had been forced out of him.

”Get poor Giant!” were the first words. ”Don't--don't mind me. I'll be all ri-right when I--I get m-my wind!”

The others were already laboring to release Giant. Through the tangle of branches the smoke was pouring, for more snow had fallen on the fire.

”Giant, can't you turn and get some air through the cracks of the side?” called out Whopper.

”That's what I am trying to do, but I am caught fast,” was the gasped-out answer.

”I'll try to do something around near the chimney,” said Jed Sanborn.

”Where's the axe?”

It was given to him and soon he was at work close to where Giant was held a prisoner. Fortunately a slender tree of the shelter frame was located at this point and a few well-directed blows cut it off. Then Jed shoved the tree upward, thus making a hole through which Giant fell rather than crawled.

”Are you burnt?” asked Whopper and Shep, in a breath.

”No, but I am about ha-half smoked!” declared the smaller member of the Gun club and coughed.

”Boys, we must put the fire out, or all of your things will be ruined,” said Jed Sanborn. ”I reckon I know how to do the trick, now Giant and the rest are out.”

”How?” asked several.

”Fill up the chimney with snow.”