emarked Roger, after
listening to the wind.

"After we leave this patch of timber we are going to have our own
troubles on the road."

They looked at the sleigh driver and saw that he, too, was disturbed. He
stopped the team and gazed upward between the firs to the dull and heavy
sky. Then he shook his head slowly.

"He says another storm is coming," said Granbury Lapham. "It is a great
pity that it can't keep off until we reach Bojowak."

They were in the very center of the patch of firs when the wind
increased as if by magic. It caught up the loose snow and sent it
whirling this way and that, almost blinding the travelers. The horses,
too, could not see, and they stopped short, refusing to go another step.
The driver looked around again, and now his face showed that he was
frightened.

"He says we must gain shelter of some kind," said the Englishman, after
a few hurried words had passed. "He thinks it will be dangerous to
remain here among the trees."

"The shelter of the trees is better than nothing," answered Roger. "If
we were in the open and this wind---- Gracious! listen to that!"

A sudden rush of wind swept through the forest, causing the trees to
sway and creak. The loose snow was blown in all directions, and they had
to be careful that they did not get their eyes and mouths full of the
stuff. "It's almost as bad as a--a blizzard!" panted Dave. "And I
really think it is growing worse every minute!"

"The question is, where shall we go?" said Granbury Lapham.

"Perhaps the driver knows of some shelter," suggested Dave.

"If he does----"

The Englishman got no further, for at that moment came another rush of
air. It bore down upon the forest with terrific force, and a second
later they heard several trees go down with crashes that terrified them
to the heart. It was a most alarming situation, and what to do to
protect themselves nobody seemed to know.

CHAPTER XXII

SNOWBOUND IN THE MOUNTAINS

"If we stay here we'll be in danger of the falling trees!" cried Dave.
He had to raise his voice to make himself heard above the fury of the
elements.

"That's true, but where are we to go?" questioned Roger. The look in his
eyes showed his keen anxiety.

"Isn't there some kind of a cliff around here, under which we can
stand?" asked Granbury Lapham of the sleigh driver. Hendrik shrugged his
shoulders for a moment, then suddenly tossed his head.

"Yes, I know such a spot," he said, in his nat