Thrice the lads descended into the now deeply buried Bird of Freedom, returning each time heavily laden with eatables, while the Russians busied themselves with obtaining fuel and oil.
On the fourth occasion, Leslie was half-way through the tunnel, when one of the Russians raced up the steps, and grasping the lad by the shoulders literally forced him back to the open air.
As he did so, the frozen snow shook beneath their feet, and with a rending crash the shell of the Bird of Freedom collapsed under the irresistible strain.
Once more Leslie Ward had escaped death by a hair's-breadth.
CHAPTER XX
ABANDONED
"THAT'S done it!" ejaculated Wilson. "We were only just in time. Say, Mike, how are we off for grub?"
O'Donovan, thus addressed, was stumped for a reply. The sudden caving in of the buried sleigh had resulted in the loss of the bulk of the provisions. Only a small quantity, originally intended for the use of the men selected for the march to Desolation Inlet, had been saved, and that quantity was sufficient for all hands for but one day, and then only with the greatest care.
At all costs, and notwithstanding the blizzard, it seemed imperative that communication should be speedily set up with the Polarity, so preparations were made for the journey.