“He’ll release you? And you’ll come?”
“Yes,” said Orkney very soberly; “yes, I’ll come.”
CHAPTER XXV
THE BLIZZARD
The youthful adventurers were on the march, and were tramping along on their snow-shoes in high spirits. Long-legged Step led, followed in order by Poke, Herman Boyd, the Trojan and the Shark. Then came Orkney, lagging a little, with Sam at his heels. All were warmly clothed, but their luggage was of the lightest, being limited, indeed, to a small axe, carried in a holster, attached to Herman’s belt.
For a half mile the tote road led through a growth of pine and spruce; but then, at the crest of a little hill, they came to a more open tract. The road bent to the left; but straight before them was an inviting slope.
Sam saw the leaders halt and put their heads together. When he came up to them Step was speaking eagerly.
“Why not, fellows? Gee, but we might as well have all the fun that’s going! Who wants to go poking along an old sleigh track when he might be cutting across country? And think of what we’d save! Mr. Kane said the road made a right angle—you figure it out, Shark.”
“Huh! No given quantities,” snapped the Shark.
“Why not? Call it fifteen miles to Coreytown. Say the angle is half-way. What’s the answer, Old Skeesicks?”
“Nine-decimal-point-two-plus,” answered the Shark promptly.