For an hour and a half he worked steadily, and at the end of that time had dug a hole in the frozen earth three feet deep and four feet square.

This hole he now lined with about two inches of snow, packed as tight as he could jam it with the butt of his gun.

Then placing in the head he packed snow closely about it and afterward filled in the earth, stamping upon the hard chunks with his feet.

When all was done he concealed the signs of his work under a covering of snow, blazed two trees with his ax, and resumed his journey.
"There is thirty dollars for each of us if there's a cent," he mused softly, as he hurried toward the Ombabika.

"That ground won't thaw out until June.