bath!" he exclaimed ruefully, as he tried to get the
snow from out of his collar and his coat-sleeves. "I--I didn't think of
a pitfall like that!"

"You want to be careful how you journey around here," cautioned John
Barrow. "If that hollow had been twice as deep the snow might have
smothered you to death."

"I will be careful," answered Sam. "I don't want any more snow down my
back and up my coat-sleeves," and he hurried back to the camp-fire to
warm himself.

By this time Tom was outside, and he was followed by Jasper Grinder, and
presently all sat down close to the blaze to enjoy the generous
breakfast the guide had provided. Tom said that his arm was a little
stiff, but that otherwise he felt as well as ever.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

TWO FAILURES.

What to do with Jasper Grinder was a problem which none of the boys knew
how to solve. They were exceedingly sorry that he was among them, but as
it would be impossible to send him off alone in that deep snow, they
felt that they would have to make the best of the situation.

"I move we make him stay around the camp," suggested Tom. "He can watch
our stores, keep the fire furnished with wood, and do some of the
cooking."

"He may kick at playing servant girl," said Sam.

"If he kicks, let him clear out."

"I think Tom is right," put in Dick. "We don't want him along while we
are trying to locate the treasure."

"He may slip away with our things--if he finds any trace of Baxter's
party," went on Sam. "And we can't afford to lose anything more. One
sled-load is enough. We'll be wanting some of those other things before
long."

"I don't believe that other party is around here," said John Barrow.
"We had better leave the man at the fire. We can keep our eyes open for
the enemy--as you call 'em."

So it was arranged, and Dick told the former teacher. Jasper Grinder
said but little in return, but asked about the possibility of any more
wild beasts turning up.

"I don't want to be left alone to face another couple of bears," he
said. "They would do their best to chew me up!"

"We will leave a gun in camp," said Dick. "If you see a bear coming, you
can climb a tree and keep him off with the gun. If we hear a shot, we'll
come back just as quickly as we can. But, Grinder, I want you to
understand that you aren't to play us false," went on the eldest Rover.
"If you do we'll have no mercy on you, remember that!"

Half an hour later the boys and their guide set