n the
track right away," said Dave. "They'll have to have the wrecking train
and crew down here."

When appealed to, the conductor said he did not know how soon they would
be able to move again. Probably not in three or four hours, and maybe
not until the next morning.

"I'll have to walk back to Raytown and telegraph to headquarters," he
explained.

"We are in a pickle, and no mistake," was Roger's comment. "I must say I
don't feel like staying on the train all night--it's too cold and
uncomfortable."

In the group of passengers was Isaac Pludding, storming angrily at
everything and everybody.

"It's an outrage!" he declared, to a bystander. "I must get to Oakdale
by seven o'clock. I've got a business deal for some cattle I must close.
If I don't get there, somebody else may buy the cattle."

"I hope he gets left," said Phil, softly.

"So do I," returned Dave.

"If we could only hire a big sleigh and some horses, we might drive to
Oakdale," suggested Ben.

"Hurrah, that's the talk!" cried Dave. "There must be some farmhouse
near here."

"Say, if you can get a sleigh, I'll pay my share, if you'll take me
along," put in Nat Poole, eagerly. He hated to think of being left
behind.

"All right, Nat, I'm willing," said Dave, generously.

"We've got to find the sleigh first," added the senator's son.

"And see if we can get horses enough to pull it," said Ben. "Some
farmers won't let their horses out in such a storm as this--and you
can't blame 'em much, either."

"If we can't get a sleigh, perhaps we can stay at some farmhouse all
night," suggested Sam.

All of the party climbed through the snow to the top of the railroad cut
and then looked around for some buildings.

"I see a light!" cried Phil, and pointed it out, between some bare
trees.

"It's a house; come on," replied Dave, and set off without delay, the
others following. "Who knows but that somebody else may want to ride,
and if so, we want to be first to get a sleigh."

It was rather a toilsome journey to the farmhouse. Between them and the
place were a barn and a cow-shed, and just as they passed the former
there arose a fierce barking, and three big black dogs came bounding
toward the students.

"Look out! The dogs will chew us up!" yelled Nat Poole, in terror, and
started to retreat.

"Down!" called out Dave, who was still in advance. "Down, I say!
Charge!" But instead of obeying, the big dogs continued to approach
until they were wi