Tom could not go; but there was nothing to keep Ned back, so he fell in behind the wireless operator. Besides, one could keep warm on the ice only while in motion. The two young fellows swarmed up the hill as fast as they could travel, while the sailors came on in their rear with the bag.
Ned and his companion found Captain Karofsen on a little shelf of the hill. He was much excited and his face was again a smile.
“It is wonderful! Wonderful!” he declared. “Come with me, young gentlemen. It is wonderful.”
“I bet it is,” commented Ned. “But just what is it?”
They fell in behind the excited captain of the Kalrye, who led them along the shelf, around an abrupt corner, and brought them out upon a small plateau in which there was a sink. Mr. Damon was lying flat upon his stomach and looking down into this chasm. He turned his red face toward Ned and Kingston and burst out with:
“Bless my Italian gardens! here is the most wonderful thing I ever saw. Did you bring that rope?”
“It’s coming,” said Ned. “What is the matter down there, Mr. Damon?”
“Greatest thing in the world, Ned!” exclaimed the eccentric gentleman. “The coincidence is wonderful. Who would ever have thought it! Well!”
“It’s wonderful, all right,” repeated the puzzled Ned. “Both you and Captain Karofsen say so. But just what is it?”
“Come here! See yonder? Half a mile or so away is the crevasse down which those two unfortunate men tumbled who were carrying my chest of Danish gold. We never expected to see them again—or the chest. And I guess the chest is done for,” admitted the excited Mr. Damon.