he darkness," remarked
Randy to Fred, as they trudged along.

"Would give a fellow the creeps, wouldn't it?" was the reply.

As they continued on their way they kept their eyes wide open for the
possible appearance of more game. But no animals showed themselves, nor
did they see any birds circling through the snow, which seemed every
moment to be coming down thicker than ever.

"If this snow continues and the wind keeps on rising, we'll have a
regular blizzard before morning," announced Gif.

"Don't say a word about the wind," panted Andy, who had dropped a few
paces behind, "My nose and my ears are almost frozen."

"Well, thank goodness, Andy, we're not very far from the Lodge. You'll
soon be able to warm up."

They were still deep in the woods when from a distance they heard a
peculiar whistle twice repeated.

"That's Jed Wallop's whistle," announced Gif. "He must have just come
in."

He whistled in return, and presently they came out at a point where the
cedars fringed the clearing in the midst of which was located the
bungalow. They saw Jed Wallop standing outside the little stable and
waved their hands to him, and he waved in return.

"Thought you might have gone out huntin'," announced Wallop, when they
came up. "Had some luck, too, I see."

"Nine rabbits," said Fred, a bit proudly.

"Good enough! I guess that means some good, old-fashioned rabbit stew
to-night," and Jed Wallop grinned.

He had not seen Gif's note, and so the lads explained the situation, to
which the man listened with much concern.

"Well, by gum! what do you know about that?" he ejaculated. "I certain
did mix it when I give you them directions. I might o' told you about
turnin' to the left when it come to the road past this lodge. You see, I
got all twisted up in my mind as soon as I heard about my cousin, Tim
Doolittle, bein' hurt."

"That's just the way I figured it, Jed," answered Gif. "However, as we
got here at last it doesn't matter."

"Goin' to have a pretty good fall o' snow, boys;" and Jed Wallop looked
anxiously at the sky.

"Do you think we shall be snowed in?" questioned Randy.

"Might be--if the storm keeps up long enough. But you got plenty o'
provisions, ain't you?"

"Oh, we've got enough to last us for a week or ten days," answered Gif.

"Then I guess you'll be all right. But say! maybe you fellers would like
me to stay here with you?" continued Jed Wallop. "Not but wot you're big
enough to take care of y