indow glass and be in here on
top of us in a jiffy. Please close the shutter."

"Not much!" Prescott rejoined energetically, and threw back the shutter
in question. "This window doesn't look out upon the shack, but it does
look out the way that Dave and the others will return. I want to see the
fellows when they come."

"Of course; we all do," Greg broke in. "Dick you keep your eye mainly on
the landscape beyond the window. Harry and I will get breakfast."

Dutcher groaned over the risk he knew they were taking, but he felt
certain that no word of his would change the plan, so he wisely held
his peace after that.

But breakfast was on and eaten, and still there was no sign of returning
Grammar School boys.

"Dave and his crowd must-'a' gone through the deep snow at some point
where it was soft," wailed Hen. "That's just what they've done."

"Oh--dry up!" Greg retorted.

"If they ain't back here in another hour you fellows will feel the same
way I do about it," Hen Dutcher predicted stubbornly.

Dick Prescott made no answer, though, truth to tell, he was beginning to
worry inwardly. A mishap in the forest, on this bitterly freezing
morning, would be no simple matter.

CHAPTER XVII

HEN TURNS HIS VOICE LOOSE

"I see some one coming!" called Greg, who, after breakfast, had taken up
the post by the unshuttered window.

Crash! Hen Dutcher dropped the crockery plate he was drying, then
plunged headlong into Dick's bunk, burrowing under the blankets.

"It's our crowd!" cried Dick joyously, as he leaped to Greg Holmes's
side. "And there are two men with 'em."

"Oh, pshaw! Why didn't you say so before?" came in a half smothered
voice as Dutcher thrust his head partly from under the blankets. Then he
added, suddenly, in a quaking voice:

"Say, you fellows better hide--quick! If old Fitsey is in the cook shack
there's bound to be some shooting."

With that Dutcher hid his head once more. But Dick, Greg and Harry paid
no heed to him. They were busy getting on coats, caps and mittens. A few
moments later they had the door open, and stood out on the hard crust of
snow, waiting to receive the approaching party.

Dave espied them, and waved one hand without calling.

"You'd better get back in here! You'll get hurt!" warned Hen Dutcher,
standing well back from the doorway.

Like a flash Dick leaped for the doorway.

"Hen, you keep quiet in there. Don't set up a yell at the very time when
a little stealt