y were worried, that became increasingly plain. Finally, although Mr. Hampton purposely refrained from sa

no further trace of Thorwaldsson's party. When we entered the MacKenzie, which flows north, we were going to the south. Going up the Hare Indian we struck east. Since

r, for we shall not retrace our steps, turn south. And we should have struck some other trace of Thorwaldsson's party lo

he wished to be alone with his meditations and did not welcome int

ined the circumstances. "Wish I could find som

isn't much night, is there? Well, anyhow, it's nighttime in Edmonton, where that new broadcasting station was set

ood," dec

ong way off,"

Jack. "I believe we can

m, anyway," said Frank. "We couldn't send to Edmon

a map, and while Art and Dick lay outstretched under some fir trees, already disposed for sleep

r than most, standing alone. They're a pretty good distance apart,

d Frank, were lighter than Bob, took turns climbing the trees, and the wires were strung without any g

y're about ready to begin their concert. On what met

undred and fifty, I suppose. W

s, not to have thought of

lways been dog-tired when we made camp at night, and ready to turn in as quickly as Art and Dick. If it hadn't been fo

ould have been asleep, anyway, even if the rest of us k

nipulating the control

ck?" he replied. "Listen in a minute will you?

ell, then he,

at's just a preliminary.

headpiece, "now it's a bulletin report on

his face came an ex

eir features also spread amazement and even consternation. They listened intentl

ow about that?" said

at we decided to set up t

e," declared Jack. "Say, we mu

mouth of the MacKenzie," said Bob. "And the skeleton

s companion, who already had started for camp. "Discovere

he continued to run. Frank fell in

d Art lay outstretched in slumber under the nearest fir trees. Mr. Hampton and Farnum were still deep in their discussion,

manded Mr. Hampton, rising to his feet in

heir picking-up of the Edmonton station's nightly program, and their discovery that

h of the MacKenzie with their Winter catch of furs. But, of course, it took a long time for the news to reach civilization. It was just made public today. The very day, too, that we decided to

bsently. Already his mind

ge or papers of any sort were f

en there a long time, as nothi

hat wa

what had occurred. The theory was advanced that the aviator was flying to summon aid for Thorwaldsson, who w

t case, I can't understand why the aviator did not bea

on shook

son's ship, the death of the aviator, the lack of message on his body, the swallowing up of Thorw

were prepared for practically all eventualities in their grapple with nature. Although the Winter was severe, yet they were well provisioned, had Farrell who knew the country, and

ou thin

d his father

as knowledge of Farrell's discovery of the river of oil, and is working against us. How to explain the obtaining of that knowledge I do not know, But, perhaps, some traitor in Anderson's employ, somebody high in his c

e to follow the Thorwaldsson expedition, dog its steps and, at the psychological moment, strike. In other w

very easily have been scuttled and sunk, or else materially changed in appearance in some little bay on that far northern coast of the Arctic. That would mean that the crew was bought up, but that is not an impossibility, for men I am sorry to say break faith for gain.

unned. Finally Ja

id in a shocked tone. "To think

," said his father

d Frank. "What do

uth to escape oncoming Winter. That will mean that we can map the route for future operation. I had at one time, too, although I did not mention it to you boys, some hope that we would be able to follow the river out into the Arctic and

e rest of us, in the light of what we suspect lies a

ldishly delighted at the concert, the first in their experience. Farnum was almost equally stirred. As to Mr.

bsent unnoted suddenly approached from the thick forest of firs on the bend, below which la

he asked, seizing h

make a reply. The others looked at him in astonishment, and all tore the headp

ards the point of land, making a bend in