"No, don't shoot!" cried Mr. Baxter. "If we lose even one dog it will go hard with us."
"He's tearing the case!" yelled Fred.
"The map is lost!" exclaimed Mr. Baxter.
"Me get him!" spoke Holfax, running up. "Me show how make dog drop map."
It was a critical moment. In another instant the strong teeth of the dog would make the map undecipherable, and the trip would end disastrously.
CHAPTER XV
IN THE CAVE
With a swift motion the Indian ran to the sled containing, among other things, the food for the dogs. He burrowed beneath the fur coverings, that were firmly lashed down, to prevent the animals eating all their supplies at one meal, and brought out several frozen fish. Now the Alaskan dog loves fish above everything else, and when Holfax had tossed several on the snow, there was a mad rush of the shaggy, wolf-like creatures to secure some.
Even those dogs crowded around the one that had the map-case, ceased worrying him, and bolted to get a share of the good things so unexpectedly cast before them. The rush, and the sight of the fish, was too much for the canine thief. He dropped the map, and made a bolt for the fish.