ked Ike Furner.

Wumble shook his head.

"Don't know, unless he slid clar down to the valley," he returned.
"This is certainly the wust yet."

"I'm going down after him," said Sam, bravely.

"Be careful, lad, it may cost ye your life."

"I don't care--I'm going to find Dick--and Tom, too."

The youngest Rover was just worked up enough to be reckless. And when
Sam got that way nothing could hold him back.

"I'm going back, to get something to eat for all hands--in case we need
it," he said. "Then I'll crawl down somehow and learn the truth. If
Tom and Dick are all right, I'll fire one shot from my pistol. Then
you'll know we are coming up as soon as possible. If I fire two shots
you'll know we are all right, but we can't come up right away. If I
fire three shots you'll know I need help. In that case come down,
packs and all, and we'll find some kind of a camping spot below."

So it was settled, and having gone back to where the traps had been
left, the youngest Rover made up a small bundle for himself, and also
procured another torch. The others accompanied him to where Dick had
disappeared.

"I hate to see ye leavin' me," said Jack Wumble, with feeling. "Maybe
it would be better to wait till mornin', when it was lighter."

"No, Jack, I can't wait--and have Dick down there, and Tom, too. For
all we know, both of them may be dying!"

That was all Sam said, and to this the old miner could not reply. Ike
Furner looked on, but did not open his mouth. He was waiting to hear
the full particulars concerning the young man he had known as Brill
Thomas.

Down and down went Sam, the snow soon hiding the two miners from his
view. He had to proceed with care, fearing a tumble such as his big
brother had taken. Where there was water, ice was forming on the
rocks, making the descent more dangerous than ever.

"I don't know how a fellow is to get back that way," he said to
himself. "Guess we'll have to walk around by the trail."

It was now intensely cold and the wind was blowing almost a gale. He
was glad when he reached something of a hollow, where he could crouch
down and regain his breath.

"Dick! Dick!" he cried, many times, but no answer came back. Either
his brother was too far away to hear him or was too badly hurt to make
reply.

Down and down climbed Sam until he felt he must be approaching the foot
of the mountain. He had his torch still in hand, having often carried
it in his teeth whi