"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.