know where to come. Don't you see?"

"But they know where we were going--you mentioned it to daddy."

"I know, but don't you understand, my dear, we're not where we said we
would go. We're lost--we're off the path. If it was only a question of
someone from the Lodge following the proper path it would be all right.
But we're far from it, and they will have no idea where to search for
us."

"Couldn't they trail us with--with bloodhounds?"

"Oh, I don't believe it will get as desperate as that. Not that there
are any bloodhounds at Elk Lodge. But there are some hunting dogs, and I
presume they might be able to follow our trail. Won't it seem odd to be
trailed by dogs? Just as if we were fugitive slaves!"

"I don't care how they trail us, as long as we get back to Elk Lodge!"
and there was a sob in Ruth's voice.

The next moment Alice, on whose shoulder Ruth had laid her head, uttered
a cry.

"Oh, what is it?" asked the elder girl. "Do you see someone? Are they
coming for us?"

"No, but the snow is stopping, and I can see a house--two of them, in
fact."

"A house! Good! Is it far off?"

"No, not far. Come on, I believe we can reach it."

As Alice had said, the snow had ceased falling almost as suddenly as it
had set in, and this gave the girls a clear view. They had made a little
turn from their original direction in getting to the rock, and they had
a view down in a little glade. There, as Alice had said, nestled two
houses; or, rather log cabins. One was of large size, and the other
smaller.

"Let's go there!" suggested Alice. "We can get shelter, and perhaps
there is someone in one of the cabins who will take us to Elk Lodge. We
can offer to pay him."

"They wouldn't want it," declared Ruth. "But come on. We mustn't lose
any time, for the snow may set in again at any moment. We must get there
while we can see."

The wind, too, had died out somewhat, so that it was comparatively easy
travelling now. Together the girls made their way over the snow toward
the smaller of the two cabins, that being the nearer.

They reached it, struggling, panting and out of breath, and after
waiting a moment, to allow their laboring hearts to quiet down, that
they might speak less brokenly, Alice knocked at the door. There was no
answer.

"Oh, suppose they should not be home?" cried Ruth.

"That seems to be the case," spoke Alice, as she knocked again, without
result.

"What shall we do--go to the other cabin?" asked