"A SNOW avalanche!" echoed Roger. "Do you mean it has come down from the side of the mountain, and filled the opening we used to get in here?" "Yes," explained Dick, "that is what has happened, as near as I can tell. But, after all, it may not be so serious a thing. We will see what can be done about breaking through." "We have to get out some way or other, that's sure!" declared Roger, as he hurried along after his cousin, now heading for the place where the exit had been. This was now filled by a tightly-wedged mass of snow. When they thrust the butts of their guns against it they were amazed to discover how firmly it had become packed. "Why, it is like so much ice!" exclaimed Roger. "Almost," added the more conservative Dick, "though you can dig into it by working hard. If we only had shovels here we might do something." "But how long ought it take us to burrow through?" demanded Roger, with a note of dismay in his voice. "That depends on how thick the wedge turns out to be," replied Dick. "If it is five feet, we could make it in an hour or so. If deeper through than that, it would take us much longer." "And the worst of it is we haven't a scrap of food along with us," Roger complained. "If we were well supplied in that way I'd think it of less importance." "We must get out, one way or another," continued Dick, grimly, "and the first thing we ought to learn is where the weakest part of the blockade lies." "As it came down on the run," Roger figured, "it seems to me the greatest amount of snow would gather at the base. How about that, Dick?" "You are right, and it will pay us to attack the barrier as high up as we can get. There may be some sticks of wood left back yonder, which we can use to dig with. Let us take a look." A close search produced three fragments of branches that could be utilized as makeshift shovels; at least they would be able to dig after a fashion into the hard barrier, and then collect the loosened material by scooping it up in their hands to be thrown away. It promised to be slow and painful work, but none of them dreamed of complaining. There was so much at stake that even Roger had to forget his natural feelings and devote himself to vigorous work. First of all Dick climbed up the best way he could, and found out how they could secure a footing in order to attack the snow blockade higher up. When this had once been settled they began. Since all of them could not get at the small space marked out, they tried it in relays. While two dug the third one rested; and when one of the others gave out he took the vacant place. The fire dwindled away and finally seemed to go out entirely. They could spare no time in order to search for more fuel; besides, while devoting every energy to the task before them, none of them felt at all cold. "What are the prospects, Dick?" asked Roger, as he hastened to take the other's place in turn, having had a good rest.