rees.

Brick had hoped that his captors would pitch camp here. He was hungry
and tired, and his frosted feet ached with every step.

However, he was destined to disappointment. No doubt Raikes and Bogle
were equally disposed to rest, but, nevertheless, they lit a lantern and
plunged into the forest.

As before, Raikes took the lead, while Bogle followed on Brick's heels.
All wore their snowshoes again, and they traveled at a fair rate of
speed.

Brick speedily lost all track of his bearings. For nearly two hours he
followed the misty gleam of Raikes' lantern--over hills, across open
meadows, and through narrow ravines. The snow grew deeper and deeper,
and at times it fairly blinded him. Then, without knowing how or when it
began, he found himself threading the mazy windings of a vast, frozen
marsh.

The path was a tortuous one. It led over rocks, and fallen trees, and
patches of tangled grass. At times it slipped under canopies of
interlaced bushes. Here it was necessary to stoop very low.

A whole hour was spent in traversing this gloomy and boundless place.
Brick began to believe that it had no end.

"A little faster, youngster," urged Bogle, in a gruff voice. "We don't
want to spend the night out of doors. A lovely hiding-place, this, ain't
it? An army could never find us here. If we should turn you loose now,
you would wander about till you died of starvation. You could never get
out."

Brick shuddered. He tried hard to quicken his pace. Raikes was moving
rapidly, and in a manner that betokened familiarity with the ground.

"It's not far now," he called back to Brick. "You'll soon have supper
and sleep."

Five minutes later the tangle of the undergrowth and young timber ended
abruptly on the edge of a small clearing. Here, faintly outlined against
the driving snow, stood a low, flat-roofed log cabin.

Raikes grunted with satisfaction as he opened the door. Bogle pushed
Brick inside, where the scene was in strong contrast to the outer storm.

The floor was planked. A pile of wood was stacked by the open fireplace.
The furniture consisted of two benches and a table. One end of the room
was spread with pine boughs, on top of which were blankets.

A blazing fire was quickly built. The sled yielded provisions in plenty,
and from a small cupboard Raikes took dishes and cooking utensils.

A little later the three sat down to a tempting supper. The fact that he
was a prisoner did not interfere with Brick's