"But what are we going to do?" asked Fred. "Will we stay here and defend ourselves?"
"No, my plan is to push on south as fast as possible. Every mile we get nearer our destination the better off we are, for the miners will rally to our aid when they see our plight."
"But how can we go on without Holfax to guide the dogs?"
"I have thought of that. I know something of dog teams, though I am not an expert driver. I have often handled the animals, and I think, with the aid of you boys and Johnson, and if I leave the four teams hitched together, I can get along all right. Holfax and his friends can take a short cut and catch up with us perhaps. How long before you can get help, Holfax?"
"Two sleeps," replied the Indian, meaning two nights.
"Well, we'll try to stand the enemy off until then. Now hurry, and don't waste any time."
Holfax was an experienced traveler. He fastened on his snowshoes, made himself up a package of food, tea and a pot, put some matches in a safe place, and was ready to start on his long trip to find his friends.
"Keep watch," was his parting injunction to the four treasure finders. "No let Indians come too close. Me come back soon as can."
With that he was off, setting himself a rapid pace, half walk, half trot, that enabled him to cover considerable ground in a day.
"Now to see what sort of progress we can make," remarked Mr. Baxter when Holfax was out of sight down a hollow between two ice hummocks. "Boys, help me with the dogs. Johnson, you sort of keep your eyes on the sleds so that none of them upset. We'll see if we can outdistance our pursuers."