for the wind will blow the snow back as fast
as a fellow gets a few bushelfuls moved."

"Let's try it and see!" proposed Dick, jumping up and going for his
overshoes.

"Mean it?" demanded Dave joyously.

"Surely I do."

"Then I'm with you." Dave ran to where his outdoor apparel lay. "Going
with us, Tom?"

"It's a bad example to set some of these small boys," gaped Tom with his
most venerable air, "but I'm afraid I can't stay inside while you
fellows are enjoying yourselves."

Greg, too, hurried to get on his arctic overshoes and his overcoat. Then
he pulled his toboggan cap well down over his ears and neck and donned
his mittens.

"There are only two snow shovels," announced Dick. "What are the rest of
you going to use?"

"Here's the fire shovel," answered Greg, producing it. "That will be
good enough for me."

"Get the door open, Dave," called Dick.

Darrin unbarred the door, trying to swing it open. Tom Reade sprang to
his aid, for the bottom of the door was frozen to the sill.

"Bring the hot water, Hen," called Reade.

"Get it yourself," grumbled Hen. But when Tom turned, and Hen saw his
face, the latter made haste to bring the tea-kettle.

[Illustration: Dick Plied His Shovel Vigorously.]

"I'd better pour the water," proposed Tom, taking the kettle. "Dick, you
and Dave begin to yank on the door as soon as you see the hot stream
trickling on below."

Reade made economical use of the water, yet it took considerable pouring
to loosen up the door at the sill.

"Better go slow with that water," warned Dutcher. "It's the last there
is in the place."

"Humph!" retorted Tom. "Once we get outside I guess we can dig our way
to the spring."

At last the door yielded and swung open. A mass of snow blew in upon
them. Dick leaped at the white wall beyond and began plying his shovel
vigorously.

"It's light, and can be easily handled," he called back over his
shoulder.

So Dave waited until Dick had made a start of three or four feet. Then
he moved out beside his chum, while Greg, the iron shovel in hand, stood
at hand waiting for the other two to make room enough for him to be able
to help them.

Bump! went the door, for those inside, without coats or exercise, felt
the cold that rushed into the cabin.

"Where to?" called Dave, for the wind carried their voices off in the
howling blast. "To the spring?"

"We'd better," Dick replied, "as we're out of water."

Between the depth of the snow and t