Gasping and staggering they plunged on in the direction they knew the Golden Eagle lay. It was not more than a mile distant, but before they reached their goal the professor gave out and the boys had to half-drag, half-carry him over the frozen surface. They were bitterly cold, too, and the thought of the blankets and warm clothing aboard the Golden Eagle lent them additional strength—as much so, in fact, as the peril that lay behind them.
"Can you see her?" gasped Harry, after about fifteen minutes of this heart-breaking work.
"Yes. I think so at least. There seems to be a dark object on the snow ahead. If only they have not molested her," panted Frank.
"If they have, it's all up," exclaimed Billy Barnes. At the same moment Harry breathed:
"Hark!"
Borne over the frozen ground they could hear shouts.
"They have discovered our escape!" exclaimed Frank, "it's a race for life now."
[Illustration: "It's a Race for Life Now.">[
His words threw fresh determination into all. Even the professor made a desperate struggle. A few more paces and there was no doubt that the dark object ahead was the Golden Eagle. Only one anxiety now remained. Was she unharmed?
Bang!