Part 26 (1/2)

They did try, but with small success. Laboring all day in the cold the only result was a few little yellow pebbles that Tom found imbedded in the ice. But they were gold, and the finding of them gave the seekers hope as they wearily began their task the following day. The weather seemed even colder, and there was the indication of a big storm.

They were scattered in different places on the ice, not far away from the big cave, each one picking away vigorously. Suddenly Abe, who had laboriously worked his way down to the dirt, gave an exultant yell.

”I've struck it! Struck it rich!” he shouted, leaping about as he threw down his pick, ”Look here, everybody!” He stooped down over the hole. They all ran to his side, and saw him lifting from a little pocket in the dirt, several large, yellow pebbles.

”Gold! Gold!” cried Abe. ”We've struck it at last!”

For a moment no one spoke, though there was a wild beating of their hearts. Then, off toward the farther end of the valley there sounded a curious noise. It was a shouting and yelling, mingled with the snapping of whips and the howls and barkings of dogs.

”Bless my handkerchief!” cried Mr. Damon. ”What's that?”

They all saw a moment later. Approaching over the frozen snow were several Eskimo sledges, drawn by dog teams, and the native drivers were shouting and cracking their whips of walrus hide.

”The natives are coming to attack us!” cried Ned.

Tom said nothing. He was steadily observing the approaching sleds.

They came on rapidly. Abe was holding the golden nuggets in his gloved hands.

”Get the guns! Where's your electric rifle, Tom?” cried Mr. Damon.

”I don't believe we'll need the guns--just yet,” answered the young inventor, slowly.

”Bless my cartridge-belt! Why not?” demanded the eccentric man.

”Because those are the Fogers,” replied Tom. ”They have followed us--Andy and his father! Andy Foger here!” gasped Ned.

Tom nodded grimly. A few minutes later the sleds had come to a halt not far from our friends, and Andy, followed by his father, leaped off his conveyance. The two were clad in heavy fur garments.

”Ha, Tom Swift! You didn't get here much ahead of us!” exulted the bully. ”I told you I'd get even with you! Come on, now, dad, we'll get right to work digging for gold!”

Tom and his companions did not know what to say.

CHAPTER XXII

JUMPING THE CLAIM

There was a sneering look on Andy's face, and Mr. Foger, too, seemed delighted at having reached the valley of gold almost as soon as had our friends. Tom and the others looked at the means by which the bully had arrived. There were four sleds, each one drawn by seven dogs, and in charge of a dark-skinned native. On the two foremost sleds Andy and his father had ridden, while the other two evidently contained their supplies.

For a moment Andy surveyed Tom's party and then, turning to one of the native drivers, he said:

”We'll camp here. You fellows get to work and make an ice house, and some of you cook a meal--I'm hungry.”

”No need build ice house,” replied the native, who spoke English brokenly.

”Why not?” demanded Andy.

”Live in ice cave-plenty much ob'em--plenty much room,” went on the Eskimo, indicating several of the large caverns.

”Ha! That's a good idea,” agreed Mr. Foger, ”Andy, my son, we have houses already made for us, and very comfortable they seem, too.

We'll take up our quarters in one, and then hunt for the gold.”