"Not much! If the treasure is going to be found, I want to be on deck!"
he cried.

Presently they we're at it again, Dick pacing off the steps as carefully
as ever. They had still fifteen paces to go when John Barrow came to a
stop with a sniff of disgust.

"Wrong ag'in!"

"How so?"

"This is leadin' us right out on the pond."

"I declare, so it is!" murmured Dick. "We started due southwest, didn't
we?"

"To a hair, lad. To tell the truth, I didn't take much to this trail
from the start. To my mind this stream is a new one. I think the next
outlet is one of the old-timers."

Once more they held a consultation, and Tom asked how far it was to the
next stream.

"Right over yonder rise o' ground," answered the guide. "But hadn't you
better wait till after dinner before ye tackle it?"

Dick consulted his watch.

"I declare! Quarter to twelve!" he exclaimed. "No wonder I'm feeling
hungry."

"I was getting hungry myself," said Tom "But I wasn't going to be the
first to stop. What shall we do--go back to camp?"

"Yes," said Dick. "I don't like the idea of leaving Jasper Grinder there
all day alone."

"Nor I," came from the other Rovers.

John Barrow was asked to lead them back by the shortest route, and they
started quarter of an hour later, after all had had a chance to rest and
get back their wind.

"I hope we get a chance at some deer while we are up here," remarked
Dick, as they turned back.

"I'll take you to where there are deer, after this hunt is over,"
replied John Barrow. "I know a famous spot, and it's not far, either."

"Hark!" suddenly cried Tom. "What sort of a yelping is that?"

All listened.

"Wolves!" answered John Barrow. "There must be quite a pack of 'em,
too."

"I suppose they get pretty hungry when there is such a deep snow," said
Tom.

"They do. More'n likely some of 'em have scented our b'ar meat and they
want some."

"If they are heading for camp, they'll give Jasper Grinder trouble," put
in Sam.

He had scarcely spoken when they heard the report of a gun, followed by
a louder yelping than ever.

"They've attacked him, true enough!" cried John Barrow.

"Come on," said Dick. "The sooner we get back the better. Grinder may be
having a pile of trouble, and the wolves may tear all our things to
pieces if they get the chance."

CHAPTER XXIX.

JASPER GRINDER AND THE WOLVES.

Left to himself, Jasper Grinder piled the wood on the camp-fire and then
sat down