"It seems like the hand of fate," declared Jack. "Say, we must get father and Tom Farnum."

"Thorwaldsson's airship found wrecked on land near the mouth of the MacKenzie," said Bob. "And the skeleton of the aviator. Can you beat it?" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed again.

"Hey, Jack, wait a minute," cried Frank, running after his companion, who already had started for camp. "Discovered by Indians who were bringing out furs, did you get that?"

Jack nodded, but saved his breath as he continued to run. Frank fell in beside him, Bob pounding at his heels.

In a few moments they burst excitedly upon the graveled beach by the river, where camp had been made for the night. d.i.c.k and Art lay outstretched in slumber under the nearest fir trees. Mr. Hampton and Farnum were still deep in their discussion, and apparently had not even been aware of the absence of the boys, for they looked up in surprise as the latter approached.

"What is it, Jack? What's the matter?" demanded Mr. Hampton, rising to his feet in alarm, as he noted his son's excitement.

Quickly, Jack related what had occurred, describing their setting up of the radio, their picking-up of the Edmonton station's nightly program, and their discovery that Thorwaldsson's airship had been found far behind them near the mouth of the MacKenzie.

"It was only a bulletin news report, Dad," Jack explained, "yet I suppose it contains all the facts. Evidently the discovery of the airship had been made weeks ago by Indians, going to the mouth 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 rig up the radio. It certainly seems like the hand of fate, doesn't it, Dad? If we had waited until tomorrow, or set up the radio yesterday, probably we would not have known of this discovery."

Mr. Hampton nodded, but absently. Already his mind was busy with the problem.

"Did the report state any message or papers of any sort were found on the body of the aviator?"

"No. Only that the body had been there a long time, as nothing but the skeleton remained."

"And that was all?"

"That was all the definite information," said Frank. "Of course, there was a word or two of speculation as to what had occurred. The theory was advanced that the aviator was flying to summon aid for Thorwaldsson, who was in some predicament, but that some accident occurred to his engine while flying, and he fell to his death."

"A plausible enough theory," said Farnum. "But, in that case, I can't understand why the aviator did not bear some message from Thorwaldsson.

Can you, Mr. Hampton?"

Mr. Hampton shook his head.

"That's not the only puzzling thing," he said. "The disappearance from the MacKenzie of Thorwaldsson's ship, the death of the aviator, the lack of message on his body, the swallowing up of Thorwaldsson and his party, Thorwaldsson's failure to send any radio messages-all these need explaining.

"We must face the fact," he continued, "that some disaster of a totally unexpected nature has befallen Thorwaldsson's expedition. And I mean by that a disaster of man's agency. They 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 were prepared in every way for a lengthy stay. Even if worst came to worst, and Winter proved too much for them, some would have survived and brought out word of what had befallen."

"Then you think, Dad-"

Jack regarded his father, wide-eyed.

"I think, Jack," said the latter firmly, "that it is time to take you boys into our complete confidence, Farnum and I have been talking this matter over. We feel pretty certain that some powerful man or group of men has 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 confidence, got some word of it. Perhaps, Thorwaldsson in an unguarded moment, let some bit of information fall. Oil, you know, is a vital necessity of the world. Discovery of a vast new field would make great fortunes.

"Whoever heard of it, heard of Farrell's discovery, would realize that the only way to come upon it would be to follow the Thorwaldsson expedition, dog its steps and, at the psychological moment, strike. In other words, when the field was rediscovered by Farrell, wipe out the Thorwaldsson expedition, and claim possession.

"Events, as they have occurred, seem to fit in with this theory. The disappearance of Thorwaldsson's ship from the MacKenzie. Apparently it traveled only at night, thus slipping by the scattered trading posts on the great river. It has never been heard of since. It might 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. As to the airship, the aviator whom I know of as a man true and tried, may have sought to make his escape to the outside when Thorwaldsson was captured-as I believe likely-and may have paid with his life for his devotion, through some unforeseen accident to his machine."

The boys stood stunned. Finally Jack broke silence.

"But, Dad, how terrible," he said in a shocked tone. "To think of men being so unscrupulous."

"Not all men, Jack," said his father. "Remember that."

"Mr. Hampton," said Frank. "What do you intend to do?"

"Frankly, I don't know," said the latter. "Now that we are within striking distance of our objective-the river of oil-I do not want to give up. If it lies where we believe it to lie, we can reach it before necessity compels us to flee south 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 discover a route of approach by water. But we may not have time for that. However, once we do locate the river by land approach, we will have a pretty accurate idea of whether it can be reached by ship through the Arctic Ocean in Summer.

"But whether to push on and imperil you lads, and the rest of us, in the light of what we suspect lies ahead, I do not know. We shall have to sleep over it."

After some further conversation, all returned to where the boys had rigged up the radio. d.i.c.k and Art were childishly delighted at the concert, the first in their experience. Farnum was almost equally stirred. As to Mr. Hampton, for the time he forgot his worries in enjoyment of the music. As showmen, the boys were in the element.

More than an hour pa.s.sed, and the concert was still in progress, when Frank, who had been absent unnoted suddenly approached from the thick forest of firs on the bend, below which lay their camp, with a face so pale that Jack, who first caught sight of him, became alarmed.

"What is it, Frank?" he asked, seizing his comrade by an arm.

For a moment Frank was speechless. He swallowed convulsively, but was unable to make a reply. The others looked at him in astonishment, and all tore the headpieces off and neglected the closing number of the concert, as they stared at him.

With outstretched arm, Frank pointed towards the point of land, making a bend in the stream, beyond which lay their camp.

CHAPTER VI.-INDIANS!

"Indians."

That was all Frank said, but it was sufficient. Over the faces of Mr.

Hampton, Farnum and the two men, d.i.c.k and Art, came looks of alarm.

"In camp," asked Jack, a sudden thought striking him. "Maybe they're just visitors."

But Farnum shook his head decisively, before Frank could reply.

"The only Indians in this country hate the white man," he said. "They have had some cause, goodness knows. But the point is, they hate us."

Turning abruptly to Frank, he said:

"Do they know where we are? Were you seen?"

"I was approaching our camp from this side," said Frank, who had recovered his speech. "I was in search of a handkerchief, for I've got a little cold, and found I did not have one with me. Anyway, my feet made no sound on the pine needles, and I was screened from the camp by the trees. Suddenly, as I neared the last fringe, I saw a dozen Indians or more steal out of the trees on the other side of the clearing. They fell upon our belongings and started going through them. I hurried away to warn you."

"Quick," said Farnum, "there is no time to lose. We are seven and all armed. They saw us depart and probably thought this was a grand chance to rifle our camp. Waited a while to see if we were coming back at once.

I imagine they are just thieves. Well, we'll give them a lesson. Come on."

Mr. Hampton laid a detaining hand on Farnum's arm.

"Even if they are thieves," he said. "We want no bloodshed. Shoot over their heads, if shooting is necessary."

Farnum's face fell.

"All right, sir," he said. "Just as you say. But we'll have to hurry, or they'll get away with everything and escape in our canoes. Then we would be out of luck, indeed."