the snow. Now
they were on one side, now on the other. Then the door rattled slightly,
and finally the shutters creaked.

Jerry's heart beat like a trip-hammer. His breath came short and fast.
He was first inclined to waken his companions, but he fought the
inclination down. He listened for a long time after the sounds had died
away. Then an inspiration flashed suddenly into his mind.

"What a fool I was to be scared," he reflected. "I'll bet anything that
old trapper was spying around here, trying to find out what mysteries
are going on. I'm sorry now that I didn't shout at him. By this time he
must have started back to his camp. If I could only escape! How easy it
would be to follow his tracks over the snow! I'm sure he would help me
to get Brick free."

As Jerry thus cogitated, he saw some object sparkling in the moonlight
on the cabin floor. It was about half-way between him and the table. He
looked keenly and now he discovered that the object was a knife.

A daring thought came into Jerry's head. A glance satisfied him that his
four bedfellows were still sleeping. With a slow and noiseless motion,
he crawled forward on his knees. From time to time he glanced warily
over his shoulder. Finally his perseverance was rewarded.

He reached the knife. He leaned over upon it backward and managed to get
the hilt between the partly-cramped fingers of one hand. With a clumsy,
sawing movement, he scraped the blade over the rope that held his arms
together. He was far from certain of success, but he stuck to the task
with grim determination. More than once the blade slipped and cut into
his wrists and fingers.

At last, when he was on the verge of despair, a sudden snap told him
that the rope was severed. He drew his arms in front of him, and cut
loose the separate pieces of rope.

CHAPTER XXX.

DRIVEN TO DEATH.

The first step to freedom was a success, and consequently Jerry felt
greatly elated. He hesitated a moment, slightly bewildered by several
expedients that suggested themselves to his mind. Then he picked up the
knife and crawled noiselessly back across the floor.

He safely reached his sleeping place, and threw himself down in his
former attitude. He lay perfectly still for nearly five minutes. Then he
was satisfied that Bogle and Sparwick were buried deep in slumber. He
turned around and gave Hamp a gentle shake. The lad stirred and sleepily