, as soon
as both could get their breath.

"Not a thing, Sam. But I saw the tree that fell--it's caught on the
cliff above here."

"Yes, I saw that--just before I took a tumble."

"Then you fell too?"

"Only from the last cliff. I landed in a tree and then some bushes,
and got pretty well scratched. But come on, if you're able, and we'll
look for Tom."

"What's that bundle you have strapped to your back?"

"I brought a little food along, in case we had to stay down here until
to-morrow."

"I see. Wait, we'll light a torch first--we can't do much in the dark."

Dry brushwood was to be had in plenty, and the boys not only lit
torches, but also made a fire, to light up the scene all around them
Then they set off on their hunt, going up and down the base of the
cliff for several hundred feet. It was now snowing so furiously that
progress was difficult.

"We'll be snowed in, that's certain," remarked Sam, as they moved
about, swinging their torches to the right and left.

"I don't care--if only we find Tom, and he isn't seriously hurt,"
returned his brother.

"But it's no fool of a thing, to be snow-bound in Alaska, Dick! I've
heard of miners being starved to death--not being able to get anywhere
for food!"

"Yes, I've heard of that, too. But do you want to give up this hunt
for Tom?"

"Indeed not! I'll stick it out no matter what comes!" answered Sam,
quickly.

As they moved along Dick presently saw what he thought was a rock or
mound of dirt in front of him, covered with snow. He was about to step
over it, when something prompted him to scrape at the object with his
foot. The next instant he let out a cry.

"It's Tom!"

"Are you sure?" gasped Sam, who was a few yards away.

"Yes! yes! Here, hold my torch," went on Dick, and as Sam took the
light, Dick knelt in the snow and raised up the inanimate form. It was
Tom, true enough, with an ugly cut on his forehead, from which the
blood had been flowing.

[Illustration: "HERE, HOLD MY TORCH," SAID DICK. _The Rover Boys in
Alaska._]

"Is--is he de--dead?" asked Sam, hoarsely.

"I--I don't know, Sam," was the slow answer. "You lead the way and
I'll carry him back to where we built that fire."

"Oh, Dick, can't you tell if he is breathing?"

Dick put his ear to Tom's breast and for a moment there was a painful
silence.

"I think he is breathing, Sam, but I am not quite sure. We'll get to
the fire, and give him something hot to drink.