“It served you right that you were kicked out,” said Sam, without stopping to think twice.

“Ha! you dare to talk to me in this fashion!” roared the former teacher.  “I’ll teach you a lesson!  Just wait till I find a good switch!”

“Hold on Grinder! one at a time,” put in Dan Baxter.  “I’ll settle with them first, if you please.”

“They deserve a thorough thrashing,” grumbled the irate man.

“Now I want you to tell me the truth,” went on Dan Baxter, addressing Tom and Sam.  “Where did you get a map of that treasure?  In the cave on that island?”

“We haven’t said we had a map,” returned Tom.

“But you must have a map—­or something like it.”

“Whatever we have, it’s none of your business, Dan Baxter,” broke in Sam.

“Shut up, you little imp!  Don’t you know you are in my power!” stormed Baxter, in a rage.  “I can do as I please out here, and these three men will help me.”

As he finished he caught Sam by the collar and began to shake him.

“Let my brother alone!” ejaculated Tom.  “Let up, I say!”

“I won’t, Tom Rover.  He’s got to learn that I’m the master here,” howled Baxter.

“If you don’t let go, I’ll hit you,” went on Tom, and raised his right fist.  But ere he could deliver the blow Bill Harney rushed behind him, caught him by the waist and threw him flat.

“That’s right!” shouted Dan Baxter.  “Make them both prisoners!  I’ve got a big score to settle with them!”

And then all four fell upon Sam and Tom, and a fierce struggle ensued, the outcome of which was for some time hard to predict.

CHAPTER XIX.

Dick and the wildcat.

“Well, it’s mighty funny Tom and Sam don’t come up.”

It was Dick who spoke.  He stood in the shelter of a number of walnut trees, and close at hand was John Barrow.

The pair had missed the others ten minutes before, and were now waiting impatiently for their reappearance.

“It can’t be as how they missed the trail in this snow,” said John Barrow soberly.  “Let us shout for ’em.”

They set up a shout, and waited impatiently for an answer.  But none came, and they called again.

“We had better go back for them,” said Dick, his face full, of a troubled look.  “I wouldn’t have them get lost in this snowstorm for the world.”

It was decided to leave the sled where it was, and soon they were hurrying along the back trail.  But the snow and wind were against them, and they made slow progress.

“It will not be necessary to relate all the particulars of the next three hours.  In vain they looked for Tom and Sam.  Not a trace of the missing lads could be discovered.

“This the worst yet!” groaned Dick, as he came to a halt, all out of breath.  “I thought, all along, that they were keeping close behind us!”