re welcome to stay here and have your dinner, and if you
think you can't get out to-day you can stay here for supper and sleep
here again to-night. By that time I think the storm will have cleared
away, and you will be able to get over to Tony's place without trouble."

"You can take it from me, we won't stay here an hour longer than we have
to," declared Werner. And then he turned back into the bedroom to finish
his dressing, closing the door behind him.

The presence of the two bullies put a good deal of a damper on our
friends, and as a consequence the breakfast was rather a silent one.
Then Gif suggested that Glutts and Werner go out and look after their
horse, and this they agreed to do.

"If you won't take any pay we'll stand for our share of the grub,"
announced Werner just before he went out. "We've got some goods in the
sleigh, as you know. What shall I bring in?"

"Bring in whatever you think is fair," said Gif, after a few whispered
words to Jack and Spouter.

The two bullies were gone the best part of an hour, and during that time
the Rovers and their chums cleaned several of the rabbits and also got
ready some potatoes and turnips for dinner.

"That will give us quite a meal, along with the dried lima beans that I
put to soak last night," said Gif. "Of course, we'll have the plum
pudding, well steamed, as Fred suggested."

"And we'll make a pan of biscuits, too," added Spouter. "Gee! by the
time we get through up here, fellows, we'll be able to get jobs as chefs
in some of the first-class New York hotels."

When Glutts and Werner returned they carried two packages which they
threw on the living-room table.

"There are some dried apricots and a package of rice," said Werner.
"They ought to help out for a New Year's dinner."

"Very well, we'll cook what we need for the meal, Werner," said Gif
briefly, "and the rest you can take with you."

Gif and Spouter made a small rice pudding, and also stewed some of the
apricots. All told, the New Year's dinner proved to be quite a bountiful
affair, and after all of the lads had eaten their fill, it must be
confessed that everybody felt in better humor. The plum pudding
especially came in for a large share of their attention, as well as did
the nuts and the small amount of raisins which followed.

"I think we'll go and take a nap," announced Werner presently. "I didn't
get very much sleep last night."

"And I'll do the same," added Glutts.

"What about