One snowy day, three robbers met at a cabin in the mountains to plan out their dastardly deeds. “I say we rob the train,” said Moe.

“I say we rob the bank,” said Joe.

“You're both wrong. We're going to rob the pirates,” said Bo.

“Pirates? There are no pirates in the mountains. They live by the sea and sail in ships and bury their treasure in the sand,” said Moe.

“Not if they're snow pirates,” said Bo.

Joe scratched his bald head. “What in the world is a snow pirate? I've never heard of them before. Do they have snow ships and use icicles for their swords?”

Bo snarled. “Don't be a fool, Joe. They use sleds and they wear patches over their eyes. I happen to know that a gang of snow pirates robbed a gang of sea pirates and captured all their gold. They buried it inside a snow cave in these very mountains.”

Moe's eyes lit up with joy. “These mountains? Snow cave?”

“You heard me. I happen to have a treasure map in my pocket that shows exactly where they buried it too,” Bo said. “Now put on your robber clothes and let's go and find the treasure.”

Bo, Moe and Joe put on black pants, blue and white striped shirts and bandit masks over their eyes. They left the warmth of the cabin, climbing on their sled. Down the hill they went, snow flying in all directions.

Moe asked first. “Where's the map, Bo?”

Bo pulled it out of his pocket. “Right here. It says we have to find two pine trees standing together and look for a third one on a nearby hill.”

As they slid down the mountainside, Joe looked to the left and to the right. “I see two pine trees. Look over there.” He pointed to a hill.

“He's right. There are two and there's the other one not far off.” Bo aimed the sled toward the trees.

“Now what does it say? Do we have to dig right here? Is there a cave under the trees?” Moe asked some silly questions.

“Don't be a fool, Moe. Of course it's not. We have to find Three Peaks, a mountain with three sharp points. That can't be too hard to find,” Bo said.

They raced the sled down another hill. “I see it. There's Three Peaks,” Joe said.

When they arrived at the bottom of the mountain, Moe asked, “Is this it? Is this where the treasure is? I hope so because I'm cold.”

“No, you fool. This isn't it, but we're not very far off. We need to look for a cave. It will be hard to see as the entrance is blocked by a wall of snow,” Bo said.

“A wall of snow? How can we find a cave that's covered up?” Joe looked at Moe and shrugged his shoulders.

“Keep your eyes open.” Bo led the sled down the next hill.

“What are all these mounds of snow for? They look like frozen men,” Moe said.

Joe looked at them. “He's right. They do look like frozen men.

“The pirates put them there to frighten us so we won't take their gold. Come on. Stop being cowards.” A few minutes later he saw a large mound. “I think this is is. Come on.” They got off the sled and ran over to the mound. “Dig the snow with your hands.”

“But I didn't bring any gloves,” Moe said.

“Use your hat then,” Bo said.

“I don't have a hat,” said Joe, “and I don't have any gloves either.”

“Just use your hands. Come on. We've got to hurry before we freeze to death,” Bo said.

They dug and dug and dug until they were so tired they could hardly lift their hands. Bo rolled onto his tummy and saw a hole. “Lads, I see it. We've found it. All we have to do is clear this snow away.”

An hour later the entrance to the snow cave was completely uncovered. They saw the wooden chest full of gold coins. “Wow! Look at that gold. We'll be rich and can move to Tahiti and live where the warm sun always shines.” Moe reached for a coin.

Just then there was a noise from inside the cave. Moe, Joe and Bo looked at the empty cave. A form appeared. It wore a patch over its eye, a hat, a black and white striped shirt and had skull and crossbones tattoed on his arm. “Ahoy, matey. Are ye here to rob us of our gold?” The pirate snarled and gnashed his rotten teeth.

Bo gulped. “You're a ghost. What good is gold to you now that you're dead?”

“That's no matter to ye, robber. This is our gold, not yours. Be off with ye before I put curse on ye,” the pirate said.

Moe poked Bo's shoulder. “We should do as he asks.”

Joe poked Bo's other shoulder. “I agree with Moe. Let's get out of here.”

Bo reached into the chest and pulled out three pieces of gold. “I'll take these. That's only one for each of us.” He ran off. Moe and Joe ran after him.

Before they got to their sled they heard the pirate shout. “Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Begin to freeze starting with your thumb. You can't take my gold, it belongs to me. Incased in ice you'll always be.”

Bo, Moe and Joe watched in horror as their thumbs froze, and then their hands, arms, and entire body. They stood silently, icy figures, surrounded by all the other men who had dared try to steal the snow pirate's treasure.