"No," answered Rodney. "Somebody is knocking on the side of the house."
Awakened by this declaration, Joseph Morris sprang up, and so did Sam Barringford and White Buffalo. Again came the knock.
"Who is there?" demanded Joseph Morris, loudly.
"A friend! Let me in!" was the low answer.
"Who are you?"
"Ira Sanderson."
"Ira Sanderson!" ejaculated Dave. "Oh, he must bring news from the trading-post!" He ran towards the door and started to open it.
"Wait—it may be a ruse," said his uncle, stopping him. "Sanderson, are you alone?" he called out.
"Ye—yes. Let me in. I—I am hurt."
No more was said. Opening the door cautiously, Joseph Morris stepped outside, followed by Dave and the others. At first they could see nobody, but presently discovered the form of a man lying in a heap in the snow, close to the wall of the cabin. The man was limp and almost unconscious, and they had to carry him inside, where he was placed on the floor in front of the fire and given stimulants.