that was Perch River, we'd be all right,"
said Sam. "But unfortunately all rivers look pretty much alike up
here."

"We might as well go down to it, anyway," answered his brother. "It's
pretty cold up here."

Finding a break in the cliff they descended, and started through the
woods for the watercourse. It was indeed cold, and only their brisk
walking kept them warm. A stiff wind was rising, and overhead the
branches swayed mournfully.

When they reached the river they came to another halt, not knowing which
was up and which was down.

"Guess we had better chop a hole in the ice and see how the water is
flowing," suggested Sam.

"Let us walk in this direction," said Tom. "I think this is right, and,
anyway, we may soon come to an air-hole, which will save us the trouble
of cutting an opening."

As they advanced they had kept a sharp lookout for the Baxter crowd, but
so far none of their enemies had put in an appearance.

"Hurrah!" suddenly shouted Tom. "Here's a signal of some sort!"

He pointed ahead, to where Dick and John Barrow had planted their first
signal pole. Both made a rush forward, and soon had the cooked meat
which had been tied in a cloth and the note pinned on the outside.

"A letter from Dick," said Tom, and read it aloud. "We are on the right
track, Sam, and if we only continue to steer clear of Dan Baxter and his
gang we'll be safe."

"Dick asks us to fire two shots, a minute apart, as a signal," came from
Sam. "I'll do it at once." And without delay he discharged the shotgun,
waited sixty seconds, and then discharged it again.

Both listened intently, and from a great distance came back two other
shots, also a minute apart.

"They heard the signal!" ejaculated Sam joyfully. "It came from up the
river, didn't it?"

"Yes; come on!"

Without stopping to eat the food which had been left for them, the boys
hurried forward just as rapidly as their now tired legs would carry
them.

They had brought their skates along and these were put on, after which
progress was easier. It was now growing dark, and they began to wonder
if they would be able to rejoin Dick and Mr. Barrow before nightfall.

"I hope we meet them," said Sam. "I've no fancy for remaining in this
open, alone."

"Try another two shots," suggested Tom, after an hour had gone by, and
Sam did so. Immediately came answering reports, directly to their left.

"Hullo!" yelled Tom, at the top of his lungs, and Sam at once took up