areful, or
he will make trouble for all three of you."

"We can take care of ourselves, Dora. If only he doesn't annoy you and
your mother."

"I don't think he'll do that--now Mr. Crabtree is out of it," answered
Dora, and then, as Mrs. Stanhope re-entered the room, the subject was
dropped.

CHAPTER VII.

SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE.

Despite the stirring events which had just passed the Rovers managed to
pass a pleasant evening at the Stanhope cottage. This was in a large
measure due to Dora, who did all she could to entertain them and make
them forget their troubles. All played games, and Dora played the piano
and sang for them, while Dick and Tom also took a hand at the singing.
Sam could not sing, and declared that he was certainly getting a cold,
whether from being in the storeroom or not.

At ten o'clock the boys retired, to a large bed chamber containing a
double bed and a good-sized cot. They were soon undressed, and after
saying their prayers dropped asleep and slept soundly until seven in the
morning.

When they arose a surprise awaited them. On the ground outside the snow
lay to the depth of a foot or more, and it was still showing as heavily
as ever.

"Hullo! we are snowed in!" exclaimed Sam, as he gazed out on the
whitened landscape.

"Sure enough," returned Dick, and added:

"This looks as if Captain Putnam might not come back to-day,"

"If that's the case, I vote we stay here," put in Tom. "I'm sure Mrs.
Stanhope will keep us."

It was found that Sam's cold had attacked him in earnest. He was very
hoarse, and complained of a severe pain in the chest.

"You'll have to do something for that cold," said Dick. "Better stay in
bed this morning, and let Mrs. Stanhope put a plaster on your chest."

Going below, he told the lady of the cottage of his brother's condition.
A mustard draught was at once prepared and placed upon Sam, and he was
also given some pine tar cough mixture. These things relieved him
somewhat, but Mrs. Stanhope insisted upon it that he remain in bed, and
brought him his breakfast with her own hands.

"Of course you must stay here, especially since Sam is sick," said Dora,
while they were eating a breakfast of buckwheat cakes, honey, chops, and
coffee. "He may not get worse, but if he does, one of you will have to
take the horse and go for the doctor."

"Yes, we'll have to watch Sam," answered Dick. "But don't put yourselves
to too much trouble on our account."

"A