After all, he had a strong affection for his nephew, and he knew that the wilds of northern Canada might prove deadly to a weak party unprovided with proper sleds and provisions.

Clarke had hinted that Blake's party was in danger.

Surely, aid could reach them, even in that frozen land, by a well-equipped expedition.
Realizing what delay might mean to his nephew, Challoner hastened indoors and sent a cable-letter to a friend in Montreal, asking him to spare no effort to follow Blake's trail into the northern wilds..