snow was rather sticky and compact, and they, took advantage of this
to enlarge the top and sides of the passage as they went along. Not a
single cave-in was found. They easily made the two turns, and reached
the scene of Hamp's disaster on the previous day.

Here the actual work began, for, though the storehouse was close ahead,
the fallen tree effectually barred the way. The boys turned sharply to
the left, and tunneled cautiously along for ten or twelve feet through
the pitch blackness.

Then they struck the bank of the ravine, and followed it down for two
yards.

"We must have passed under the trunk of the tree by this time," said
Jerry. "Now comes a straight course for the storehouse. And it's got to
be straight, for if we dig only a foot or two to right or left, we'll
strike either the tree or the other side of the ravine."

"Go ahead," replied Hamp. "We'll make it, old fellow."

Already more than an hour had passed since they left the cabin. They
advanced with redoubled caution, working two abreast, and patting the
roof and sides of the tunnel to make them secure.

The long and trying ordeal came to an end at last, and glorious was the
reward. The slab of bark, with which Jerry was digging, suddenly struck
something hard. It proved to be a rock, and the boys cleared the space
around it with frantic haste.

A moment later they fairly tumbled into the triangular cavity between
the two great boulders. It was indeed the storehouse.

With greedy hands they tore away the sled and clutched at the precious
supplies lying underneath. The fear of bringing an avalanche down on
their heads was all that kept them from bursting into hearty cheers.

"We are saved," cried Hamp, as he got hold of the tin box of matches
and struck a light.

"Stay right here," said Jerry. "I'll be back in a jiffy."

He snatched a handful of matches, and crawled into the tunnel, striking
light after light as he went along. He was quickly out of sight, but in
less than five minutes he returned with a flaming lantern.

The next step was to enlarge the space in front of the rocks, and when
this was accomplished, the sled was dragged out of the cavity, and the
supplies--snowshoes and all--were securely strapped upon it.

Then the return trip was begun. Jerry crawled ahead with the lantern,
and Hamp and Brick came after him with the sled. Each angle was safely
rounded, and it was a happy moment when the boys entered the cabin.

The first