Part 31 (1/2)

A moment later Mr. Baxter felt himself free from the stake at his back.

He struggled to his knees, thrust out his arms to make a s.p.a.ce in the snow about him, and tried to see who it was who had released him. There was no one in sight.

CHAPTER XXV

THE RESCUE--CONCLUSION

For a moment Mr. Baxter did not know what to think. That he had been released was certain; but how? That the same agency was also at work for the boys was evident, for a moment later they, too, were able to get up on their knees. Their hands were free, but their feet were still tied.

However, it was an easy matter to slash with knives which they all carried the thongs that were wound around their ankles.

”Who did it? Who aided us?” asked Fred.

”I don't know,” replied Jerry.

”Quiet!” cautioned his father. ”We have a chance to escape.”

At that moment there was a movement in the snow at his feet, and a black, pointed muzzle was thrust up.

”The dogs!” exclaimed Mr. Baxter. ”It was the dogs that gnawed through the bonds and released us. I see how it happened. The thongs were freshly cut from some hide, and the half-starved dogs smelled them.

They burrowed under the snow until they could gnaw them, and thus they released us. I thought at first it was Holfax and his men.”

”So did I,” spoke Fred. ”But what had we better do now?”

”We must first get something to eat,” said Mr. Baxter. ”Wait until our blood is in a little better circulation, and we will steal down to the camp and see if we can't get something without attracting attention.”

By stamping around on the hummock and whipping their arms about them the prisoners succeeded in getting some warmth into their benumbed bodies.

To their surprise the noise they made did not attract any notice from the Indians or Callack. As it happened, the Alaskans were all so wearied with their day's labor that they slept sounder than usual.

Cautiously the captives stole down from the hummock toward one of the tents near which their own sleds had been placed. They hoped to find some food, for they were nearly famished.

As they advanced they detected a movement among the dogs, only a few of which had burrowed under the snow to get at the fresh thongs, for an Alaskan dog will, in stress of hunger, devour its own harness.

Suddenly there was an uproar among the animals, they probably thinking the approach of the captives meant that food was going to be distributed. There were barks, snarls and yelps. Some of the half-savage beasts jumped up on Fred and Jerry, and the boys had to beat them off.

”They're as bad as wolves!” exclaimed Mr. Baxter.

Then from one of the tents appeared Callack. He had been aroused by the noise, and saw the prisoners free, rus.h.i.+ng down on his camp.

”Here!” he cried. ”What's up?”

With a bound Mr. Baxter sprang for the man. He had determined to overpower him if he could and get food. But in his weakened condition he was no match for his enemy. Callack dealt Mr. Baxter a blow that felled him. Then the leader of the Indians called for help to recapture the prisoners.

It looked as if they would again be taken back to the stakes and kept there until they died. A hopeless fear was in the hearts of the three.

Johnson was still back on the hummock.

”Hold 'em!” cried Callack. ”Shoot 'em if they resist!”