d Fred.

"They probably do. Otherwise I do not believe they would dare think of
attacking us. There is probably a large band of them."

"Then we can not fight them alone."

"I suppose not," admitted Mr. Baxter. "But I have a plan that may help
us. Holfax, come here, I want to talk to you."

CHAPTER XIX

THE ATTACK

The Indian obeyed, having first fastened his leading team of dogs to a
large ice boulder by means of a long thong, so they would not run off.
As the other animals were attached to the team Holfax drove, they too,
halted.

"Goin' make fight?" asked the Indian.

"That is what I want to talk to you about. Do you think we can fight
them?" and he motioned back toward their pursuers.

"They plenty many," replied the Indian.

"I suppose so. What sort of weapons have they?"

"They got guns."

"What! Indians in this wild country having guns? Where did they get
them?"

"White mans give, for to be showed gold," replied Holfax, "Indian not
care much for gold--only for guns an' t'ings. If can find gold tell
white mans an' git guns. Guns better than gold--guns shoot wolves,
musk-ox, moose."

"That's so. Guns are worth more to the Indians than gold."

"Shoot mans too," added the Indian. "Zank an' his men got plenty much
guns--also plenty much men. Make big fight."

"That is what I supposed," said Mr. Baxter. "Our only hope is to run
away from them, and get help. We'll put the first into operation at
once. Do you think our dogs are faster than theirs are, Holfax?"

"Our dogs much fastest. I pick out good dogs. No dogs so fast like dogs
Holfax pick out."

"I believe you. These dogs are certainly excellent animals, and they are
as strong and healthy as the day we started."

"Other dogs--no much good," went on Holfax, speaking slowly to make his
imperfect English understood.

"Then we have a chance to escape them. But I am also going to try to get
help. Holfax, do you think you could get some friendly natives to aid
us? Can't you call on some friends of yours who will come and help us
fight these scoundrels, who want to steal the gold?"

"Holfax's friends much ways off."

"I suppose so, but you can travel fast on snowshoes, and tell them to
come back with you. We will pay them well."

"Pay gold?" asked the Indian.

"Some gold, yes. I'll give you and your friends a thousand dollars in
gold if they succeed in protecting us."

"Gold buy plenty guns," observed the Alaskan, seeming to consid