"Why doesn't Holfax come?" thought Mr. Baxter. "Jerry, do you want to give up?" he asked.
"I'll—I'll stick it out a little longer, dad."
"All right. But I'm almost determined to give in. I did not think Callack would dare carry out his threat. We must save our lives, even if we have to give up the gold. I will wait an hour longer——"
At that moment Mr. Baxter felt something working at the bonds in back of him which bound him to the stake. He could not turn his head to see who it was because of the pile of snow that covered him.
"Who is there?" he asked.
There was no answer.
"Holfax; is that you?" he asked, a great hope coming into his heart.
Still there was no answer.
"Dad!" cried Jerry. "Some one is undoing the thongs about my arms."