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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37554-h.zip b/37554-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ecc4e82 --- /dev/null +++ b/37554-h.zip diff --git a/37554-h/37554-h.htm b/37554-h/37554-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c101f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/37554-h/37554-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9896 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" > +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> + <meta content="The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp" name="DC.Title"/> + <meta content="Laura Lee Hope" name="DC.Creator"/> + <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/> + <meta content="1921" name="DC.Created"/> + <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.23) generated Sep 28, 2011 01:15 AM" /> + <title>The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + p {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + position:absolute; right:2%; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; + font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none; + background-color:inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color:silver;} + h1 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.4em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h2 {text-align:left; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.2em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:bold; + font-size:0.9em; margin-top:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em;} + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none; border-top:thin dashed silver; clear:both;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + .center {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;} + .larger {font-size:larger;} + .smaller {font-size:smaller;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + table.c {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + .caption {font-size: 80%;} + .sc {font-variant:small-caps} + div.center>:first-child {margin: .5em auto 0 auto;text-align:center;} + div.center p {margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp, by Laura Lee Hope + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + +Release Date: September 28, 2011 [EBook #37554] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i001' id='i001'></a> +<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt="FLOSSIE AND FREDDIE WATCH THE MEN AT THE SAWMILL. Frontispiece (Page 92)" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>FLOSSIE AND FREDDIE WATCH THE MEN AT THE SAWMILL.<br/><em>Frontispiece</em> (<em>Page 92</em>)</span> +</div> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>The Bobbsey Twins</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>at Cedar Camp</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>BY</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.2em;'>LAURA LEE HOPE</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>AUTHOR OF “THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES,” “THE</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>BUNNY BROWN SERIES,” “THE OUTDOOR GIRLS</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>SERIES,” “THE SIX LITTLE BUNKER</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>SERIES,” ETC.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><em>ILLUSTRATED</em></p> +<p> </p> +<p>NEW YORK</p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP</span></p> +<p>PUBLISHERS</p> +<p> </p> +<p>Made in the United States of America</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p>BOOKS BY LAURA LEE HOPE</p> +<p>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</p> +<p> </p> +<p>THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES</p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN WASHINGTON</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p>THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES</p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA’S FARM</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU’S CITY HOME</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNNY SOUTH</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p>THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES</p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL’S</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO’S</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM’S</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD’S</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED’S</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN’S</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK’S</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</p> +<p>(Ten titles)</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span class='sc'>Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p>Copyright, 1921, by</p> +<p>Grosset & Dunlap</p> +<p> </p> +<p><em>The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp</em></p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='table of contents'> +<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Freddie’s Surprise</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Locked Up</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>12</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Thanksgiving</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>24</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bert in Danger</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Christmas Trees</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Off To Cedar Camp</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>54</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>In the North Woods</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>65</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Nutting Party</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>72</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Sawmill Fun</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Sudden Storm</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>100</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Old Mrs. Bimby</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Mr. Bobbsey Is Worried</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>120</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Old Jim</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>128</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Snowed In</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Bare Cupboard</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bert Starts Out</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Trying Again</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>165</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Little Searching Party</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>175</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Wildcat</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>183</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Snowball Bullets</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXX'>198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>On the Rock</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXI'>213</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Found at Last</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXII'>231</a></td></tr> +</table> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<h1>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP</h1> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I—FREDDIE’S SURPRISE</h2> +<p> +Very still and quiet it was in the home of +the Bobbsey twins. There was hardly a sound—that +is, of course, except that made by four +figures tiptoeing around through the halls and +different rooms. +</p> +<p> +“Hush!” suddenly exclaimed Bert Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“Hush!” echoed his sister Nan. +</p> +<p> +They were two of the twins. +</p> +<p> +Again came the shuffling noise made by tiptoeing +feet on the front stairs. +</p> +<p> +“Quiet now, Flossie and Freddie!” whispered +Bert. “Go easy, and don’t make a +racket!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span> +</p> +<p> +He turned toward Nan, who was carrying +something in a paper that rattled because of +its stiffness. +</p> +<p> +“Can’t you be quieter?” asked Bert. +</p> +<p> +“It isn’t me—it’s this paper,” Nan answered. +“I should have taken some of the tissue kind.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish you had,” Bert went on. “But it’s +too late now. We’re almost there. As soon as +we get everything hidden it will be all right.” +</p> +<p> +Suddenly there was a sound behind Bert and +Nan as though someone were choking. It was +followed by a smothered laugh. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” asked Bert in a sharp whisper. +“Do you want to have everybody in the +house down here seeing what we’re doing? +Who did that?” +</p> +<p> +He spoke a bit sharply, in a tense whisper, +but his voice was not really cross. It was as +though Bert were the leader of some secret +band of soldiers or of Indians, and wanted +the men to do just as he had told them. +</p> +<p> +“Who did that?” he asked again. +</p> +<p> +“I—I guess I did,” answered the voice of +his little sister Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“What did you do?” asked Nan. “You must +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span> +try to be quiet, dear, else our fun will be +spoiled. Better take sister’s hand.” +</p> +<p> +“Holdin’ your hand won’t do any good,” answered +Flossie, and though she tried to talk in +a whisper it was rather a loud one. “Your hand +can’t stop makin’ me sneeze,” Flossie went on. +“Can it?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, did you sneeze, dear?” asked Nan, who, +since she and Bert were “growing up,” felt +that she must take a little more motherly care +of Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I did sneeze,” Flossie answered. “An’ +maybe I’ll sneeze more again. I feel so, anyhow.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you dare!” exclaimed Bert. +</p> +<p> +“She didn’t sneeze! Not a reg’lar sneeze!” +declared Freddie, who was carrying a cigar +box. Did I mention that Freddie and Flossie +were the other pair of Bobbsey twins? I +meant to, anyhow. +</p> +<p> +“If she didn’t sneeze, what did she do?” +asked Nan. +</p> +<p> +“I did sneeze!” insisted Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“You did not!” asserted Freddie. “You——” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span> +</p> +<p> +“Hush! Hush!” cautioned Bert. “You’ll +spoil everything!” +</p> +<p> +But Freddie was not to be shut off in that +way. He came to a stop in the hall, along +which the two pairs of twins were tiptoeing +their way through the house, and in the half-darkness, +for the light was turned low, he +pointed his fat, chubby forefinger at Flossie, +holding, the while, his cigar box under his +other arm. +</p> +<p> +“She did not sneeze—not a reg’lar, full, +fair sneeze!” he declared. “She put her hand +over her mouth an’ she choked, an’ she made +more noise ’n if she had sneezed. Guess I +know what she done!” +</p> +<p> +“<em>Did</em>, dear! <em>Did!</em>” corrected Nan. “You +must use right words now that you are in +regular classes at school and are out of the +kindergarten. <em>Did</em>—not <em>done</em>.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, Flossie <em>did</em> snort and she <em>did not</em> done +sneeze,” went on the fat little “fireman,” as +his father sometimes called him. +</p> +<p> +“I—I could ’a’ sneezed if I’d wanted to,” +said Flossie. “Only I’ve an awful loud sneeze, +I have. It’s louder’n yours, Freddie Bobbsey.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span> +</p> +<p> +“’Tis not!” declared Freddie. “You wait +till I tickle my nose, an’ I’ll sneeze an’ I’ll show +you! I’ll show you who can sneeze loudest!” +</p> +<p> +“No, you will not!” said big brother Bert +kindly, but firmly. “You two youngsters must +keep quieter, or we can’t do what we’re going +to do. Nan and I will take you back upstairs +and mother will make you go to bed! There!” +</p> +<p> +This was such a dreadful threat, especially +as Flossie and Freddie had been allowed to stay +up past their regular bedtime hour on their +promise to be good, that they at once quieted +down. +</p> +<p> +With Bert and Nan in the lead, the smaller +Bobbsey twins followed their older brother and +sister. Bert reached a door opening into a large +closet near the kitchen. It was in this closet +that the children were to hide the things they +were carrying, and why they were going to do +this you will soon learn. +</p> +<p> +But just as Bert was about to open the closet +door, Flossie gave a little wriggle, and, pulling +her hand away from Nan—the hand that did +not hold a package—the little Bobbsey girl +whispered: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span> +</p> +<p> +“It—it’s goin’ to be some more, Nan!” +</p> +<p> +“What is, dear?” +</p> +<p> +“My—my ker—snee——!” +</p> +<p> +The rest was a sort of gurgle, choke, and +cough mingled with a sneeze. Flossie had covered +her mouth and nose with one hand, and +thus tried not to make as much noise as she +otherwise would. +</p> +<p> +“Say! everything will be spoiled,” declared +Bert. “I never saw such children! We ought +to ’a’ made them hide their things this afternoon!” +</p> +<p> +“Flossie can’t help it,” said Nan kindly. +“Maybe she is catching cold. I must tell +mother to give her some medicine.” +</p> +<p> +“’Tisn’t cold,” declared Flossie. “It’s some +dust got up my nose. There was dust in the +closet where Freddie made me crawl to get +him a cigar box.” +</p> +<p> +“What did he want of a cigar box?” asked +Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t tell!” cautioned Freddie. “You +promised you wouldn’t tell, Flossie Bobbsey!” +</p> +<p> +“All right, I won’t,” she promised. “Anyhow, +I don’t know, ’cause you didn’t tell me. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span> +But I got him a box, an’ it was dusty an’ it +makes me sneeze an’——” +</p> +<p> +“That’s enough of this sneezing!” declared +Bert. “Let’s hide what we have and get out. +Dinah’s in the kitchen now, and if she hears +us scuffling around she’ll open the door and see +us and she’ll think something is going to happen.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, something <em>is</em> going to happen,” whispered +Nan, with a smile. But you could not +see the smile because it was rather dark in the +hall. “To-morrow is Dinah’s birthday, and, +oh! won’t she be surprised?” +</p> +<p> +“She’ll be more surprised,” said Freddie, +though neither Bert nor Nan knew just what +he meant just then. Later they did. +</p> +<p> +True enough, it was the birthday of Dinah +Johnson, the fat, jolly, good-natured colored +cook of the Bobbsey family, which included +the four twins. Dinah’s birthday was always +celebrated, especially by the twins, who always +brought out their presents as a sort of surprise. +</p> +<p> +This time they were bringing them down +from their rooms the night before the birthday, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> +to hide the things in a big closet near the +kitchen. +</p> +<p> +Thus the gifts would be ready the first thing +in the morning, to give to Dinah at the breakfast +table, when daddy would call her in from +the kitchen to be surprised. +</p> +<p> +It was Bert’s plan thus to hide the things +ahead of time, and Flossie and Freddie, of +course, had begged to be allowed to take part. +</p> +<p> +“I guess she didn’t hear anything,” said +Bert, after listening a moment, for Dinah was +still in the kitchen, finishing her day’s work. +“The door’s shut,” Bert added. “Now then,” +he went on, after a pause, “let’s hide our things +and go back upstairs. Pass yours to me, Nan.” +</p> +<p> +The older Bobbsey girl did so, and just as +Bert had put away his present and hers, there +was a loud sound behind him. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” sharply whispered Bert. +</p> +<p> +“It was Freddie,” answered Flossie. “An’ +he didn’t sneeze—not at all.” +</p> +<p> +“I stumbled,” answered Freddie. “I’m +sorry!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, it’s too late for that. But I guess +Dinah didn’t hear,” Bert said, listening a moment. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span> +“Pass me your present, Freddie, and +I’ll hide it with mine.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll hide it myself,” said the little fellow, +and he made his way to the closet, squirming +between Nan and Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, well, do as you please,” Bert agreed. +And thus it was that none of the others saw +Freddie put two packages in the closet instead +of one. One package was his regular present +for Dinah. The other was—— +</p> +<p> +But just a moment, if you please. I want to +tell this story as it should be told. +</p> +<p> +Anyhow, Freddie slipped two packages into +the closet without letting Bert see him. One +package was a cigar box, tied with a string, and +a queer scratching noise seemed to come from +within it. +</p> +<p> +“There! Now everything is hid,” said Bert, +when Flossie’s package had been put on the +shelf. “Now I’ll lock the door, for mother +gave me the key, and Dinah can’t open it. In +the morning we’ll give out the birthday presents.” +</p> +<p> +The Bobbsey twins thought that morning +would never come, but it did at last, and Dinah +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> +knew nothing of their secrets, they felt sure. +With eagerness the four children assembled at +the breakfast table. +</p> +<p> +“Call Dinah in, Daddy, and let us give her +the things,” begged Nan. +</p> +<p> +“I want to give mine first!” insisted Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“And me next,” said Flossie. +</p> +<p> +Fat Dinah came waddling in, her face all +smiles. +</p> +<p> +“I ’clar to goodness! Whut’s gwine on +now?” she asked. “Did I forgots to make de +coffee, or am de toast burned?” +</p> +<p> +Dinah pretended to be very much alarmed, +but I think she knew why she had been called +in. At least she knew something of what was +going to happen, but not all. She must have +known it was her birthday, and the children +always gave her something on such occasions. +</p> +<p> +“Dinah, please sit down a moment,” said +Mr. Bobbsey, trying not to smile. “I think +Freddie has something to say to you.” +</p> +<p> +“I—I got something to give you, Dinah!” +cried the little fellow, hurrying out to the closet, +which Bert had unlocked. +</p> +<p> +“Bress yo’ heart, honey lamb! Has yo’ got +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span> +suffin’ fo’ ole Dinah?” she asked with a kind +smile. +</p> +<p> +“You—you’ll be s’prised,” said Freddie, as +he handed the fat black cook a cigar box, tied +with string. +</p> +<p> +“Why, Freddie!” exclaimed Nan. “That +isn’t your present! Yours is wrapped in blue +paper. Don’t you remember? I wrapped it +up for you.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll give Dinah <em>that</em> present in a minute!” +said Freddie, his eyes shining. “I have <em>two</em> +for her!” +</p> +<p> +“Bress his heart!” murmured the cook, as +she fumbled with the string. +</p> +<p> +A moment later it came off, and as the cover +of the box flew open out jumped a fat little +gray mouse! +</p> +<p> +“Oh, my! Oh, mah good lan’!” screamed +Dinah. “Oh, a mouse! A mouse!” and she +jumped up in such a hurry that she knocked +over the chair on which she had been sitting. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II—LOCKED UP</h2> +<p> +“Get him! Get him!” cried Bert Bobbsey, +making a dive for the little mouse. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, don’t let him come near me!” screamed +Nan, as she left her seat and hurried over +toward her mother. +</p> +<p> +“Nonsense!” exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. “To +be frightened at a poor little mouse!” +</p> +<p> +The mouse ran under one chair after another, +and circled around beneath the dining +room table. +</p> +<p> +“Where’s Snoop?” cried Bert, stooping down +to watch which way the mouse ran. “Get +Snoop in to catch the mouse!” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t let him get me!” begged Flossie, and +she ran over to Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Children, be quiet!” commanded Mr. Bobbsey. “All +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +this excitement over a little mouse! +Freddie, you did very wrong to put a mouse +in a box and give it to Dinah for a birthday +present!” and he spoke rather sternly to the +little fellow. +</p> +<p> +“Am dat mouse mah birfday present?” asked +the fat cook, who was huddled against the wall. +“If it is I don’t want it nohow!” +</p> +<p> +Isn’t it queer how frightened some women +and girls are of a mouse? I wonder why that +it is? Anyhow, Nan, Flossie and Dinah seemed +much frightened, while Bert was more interested +in seeing which way the little gray creature +ran. +</p> +<p> +“Get Snoop! Where is Snoop?” asked Bert, +calling for the family cat. “Snoop will love to +chase this mouse!” +</p> +<p> +“I help you catch my mouse for Snoop!” +offered Freddie. +</p> +<p> +He had stood, eagerly waiting, to see what +would happen when Dinah opened his extra +present box. And enough had happened to +satisfy even fun-loving Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Here, I’ll fix that mouse!” cried Mr. Bobbsey. +“Let it alone, Bert. I’ll drive it out!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span> +</p> +<p> +Mr. Bobbsey picked up a small open glass +salt dish from the table, and was about to throw +it at the mouse under the table. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t do that,” said his wife. +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” asked Mr. Bobbsey, holding the +salt dish in readiness. +</p> +<p> +“Because you’ll spill the salt and it will have +to be cleaned up.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll get the mouse!” cried Freddie. “I’ll +get him!” +</p> +<p> +He ran over to the goldfish tank in one corner +of the room. On the table on which the +tank rested was a tiny net of cloth on a handle +and wire frame. Bert used the net to lift out +the fish when he wanted to clean the tank, which +he intended doing that day. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll catch the mouse under this!” cried +Freddie, grabbing up the little net and trying +to dive under the table. But the little fellow +slipped, and knocked over a chair. It happened +to fall on Flossie’s foot. Instantly the small +Bobbsey girl set up a cry. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! Oh, Freddie Bobbsey! Now look +what you did! My toenails is all broken! Oh! +Oh!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span> +</p> +<p> +“Hush! Hush!” begged Mother Bobbsey, +hugging Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, mah good lan’!” exclaimed Dinah, “I +neber did see such a birfday as dish yeah! +Nebber in all mah born days!” +</p> +<p> +Bert caught up his aluminum napkin ring +and threw it across the room as the mouse +made a dart toward the door leading into the +kitchen. +</p> +<p> +“There he goes!” cried Bert. “No use getting +Snoop now!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’m glad the creature is out of the +way!” said Mrs. Bobbsey, with a sigh of relief. +“Now, Freddie, what possessed you to +do a thing like that—to give Dinah a mouse +for her birthday?” +</p> +<p> +“And where did you get it?” asked Bert. “I +should think you’d be afraid of it, Freddie.” +</p> +<p> +“He was in the box, and I shut the cover +down quick—like that”—Freddie clapped his +hands together—“and I ketched him.” +</p> +<p> +“You should say ‘caught,’” murmured Nan. +“Your teacher wouldn’t like to have you say +‘ketched,’ Freddie.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I—I got him, anyhow,” Freddie went +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +on. “An’ I tied some string around the box +and I kept the mouse and I thought maybe +Dinah would laugh an’—an’——” +</p> +<p> +Freddie looked around the room. All too +much had happened from his little surprise. +The whole place was in confusion. +</p> +<p> +“If dey is any mo’ birfday presents like <em>dat</em>,” +said Dinah, “I reckon I better go!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, no!” exclaimed Nan. “Mine is a nice +one, Dinah!” +</p> +<p> +“So’s mine!” echoed Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“An’ I’ve another!” added Freddie. “I’m +sorry I scared you, Dinah.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ll forgive you this time,” said his +father. “Bring out the other presents now.” +</p> +<p> +And while this is being done I will take just +a moment to tell my new readers something +about the children who are to be the main characters +in this story. +</p> +<p> +If you have read the first book of this series, +called “The Bobbsey Twins,” you have learned +that Mr. Bobbsey had a lumber business in the +eastern city of Lakeport, on Lake Metoka. +Bert and Nan were the two older twins. They +had dark brown hair and brown eyes and were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span> +rather tall and slim. The younger Bobbsey +twins were Flossie and Freddie. They were +somewhat short and stout, and had light hair +and blue eyes. The children had many good +times together and with their playmates, Grace +Lavine, Charlie Mason, Dannie Rugg, Nellie +Parks and Ruth Nelson. They also had fun +with Snoop, their pet cat, and with Snap, their +dog. +</p> +<p> +There are a number of books coming between +the first volume and the one just before this. +The Bobbsey twins went to the country to visit +Uncle Daniel, and at the seashore they stayed +with Uncle William. Besides these trips the +four children made a voyage on a houseboat, +visited a great city, camped on Blueberry Island, +went to Washington, and made a trip at +sea. They had, a week or so before celebrating +Dinah’s birthday, returned home after some +exciting times out West. +</p> +<p> +You may read about these last adventures +in the book just before this present volume. It +is called “The Bobbsey Twins in the Great +West,” and it tells how Bert, Nan, Flossie and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span> +Freddie helped solve a strange mystery about +an old man. +</p> +<p> +It was now fall, and on their return from +the West the Bobbsey twins had started to +school again. Bert and Nan had gone into a +higher grade, and Flossie and Freddie, though +they were still the babies of the family, were +now somewhat advanced at school, and were +in regular classes, attending morning and afternoon, +instead of going just in the morning, as +they had done while they were still in the kindergarten. +</p> +<p> +One of the first affairs the Bobbsey twins +had taken part in since their return from the +West had been Dinah’s birthday celebration. +Each of the children had bought the cook, of +whom they were very fond, a present, but +Freddie had provided an extra one, as we have +seen. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t ever do it again, Freddie!” cautioned +his father, when quiet had once more settled +over the household. +</p> +<p> +“I won’t, Daddy,” he promised. +</p> +<p> +“Then you may give Dinah her regular present,” +said Mother Bobbsey. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> +</p> +<p> +Freddie handed the cook a package wrapped +in blue paper. +</p> +<p> +“Is yo’ suah dey isn’t no mouse in dis?” +asked Dinah, pretending to be frightened. +</p> +<p> +“No mouse!” Freddie assured her. “You +open it!” +</p> +<p> +And when Dinah had done so she found a +bottle of perfume, which, she declared, was +“jest de sweetest kind what ebber was!” It was +exactly what she had wished for, she said. +</p> +<p> +Then the other presents were given to her. +Nan’s was a pocketbook, and Bert’s a pair of +comfortable slippers. Flossie handed Dinah a +gay, red silk handkerchief. +</p> +<p> +“An’ when I puts pufume on <em>dat</em>, an’ walks +out, everybody’ll be wishin’ dey was me!” declared +the fat, black cook. “Dish suah am a +lovely birfday!” +</p> +<p> +There were presents, also, from Mr. and +Mrs. Bobbsey, and when she had admired everything, +and thanked them all, Dinah finished +bringing in the breakfast. They all laughed at +Freddie’s mouse, and he told how he had caught +it. +</p> +<p> +He had had some nuts in a cigar box, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span> +the day before, coming softly up to it, he had +seen a little mouse nibbling away among the +nuts and shells. As quick as a wink Freddie +clapped the cover down, and had caught the +mouse fast. Then, without saying anything +to anyone about it, he had given it to Dinah. +</p> +<p> +“Come on, Bert, or we’ll be late for school!” +called Nan, as she finished her breakfast. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll be right with you,” her brother answered. +“If Charlie Mason calls tell him to +wait. He and I are going fishing this afternoon.” +</p> +<p> +“Can I come?” asked Freddie. “I’ll help +dig worms.” +</p> +<p> +“Not now,” Bert answered. “Maybe to-morrow.” +</p> +<p> +“You wait for me, Freddie!” called Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I’ll wait,” he promised. +</p> +<p> +Soon the Bobbsey twins were on their way +to school. Bert walked with Charlie Mason +and Dannie Rugg, while Grace Lavine and +Nellie Parks strolled along with Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Did you bring your skipping rope?” asked +Grace of Nan. Grace was very fond of this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> +fun, though once she had jumped too much +and had been taken ill. +</p> +<p> +“No, I didn’t bring it,” Nan answered. “I +brought a new bean bag, though, and we can +play that at recess.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’ll be fun!” cried Nellie. +</p> +<p> +Bert and Charlie were talking about the best +place to go fishing. And the younger Bobbsey +twins were talking about something else. +</p> +<p> +“If he does it again to-day, you tell me an’ +I’ll fix him,” said Freddie to Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“I will,” his golden-haired sister answered. +“Will you make him stop, Freddie?” +</p> +<p> +“Sure I will! You come and tell me!” +</p> +<p> +“What is it you are going to do?” asked Nan +of her smaller brother and sister. But just +then the warning bell rang and they all had to +run so they would not be late, and Nan forgot +about what she had overheard. +</p> +<p> +At recess there were jolly times in the school +playground. Some of the boys got up a baseball +game, and others played marbles, leapfrog +or mumble-the-peg. The girls skipped rope or +tossed bean bags, while some played different +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +kinds of tag. It was cool, so that running about +and jumping made one feel fine. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly from the lower end of the playground, +near the shed where the janitor kept +his brooms, a lawnmower, and other things, +came a cry of alarm. +</p> +<p> +“That’s Flossie!” exclaimed Nan, pausing in +the midst of a bean bag game. “Something’s +the matter!” +</p> +<p> +She caught sight of Flossie and Freddie in +some sort of a battle with Nick Malone, one of +the “bad” boys of the school. Flossie and +Freddie seemed to be having a fight with Nick. +</p> +<p> +However, the battle was soon over. Before +Nan reached the scene or could call to Bert to +come to her help, Nick disappeared, and Flossie +and Freddie, each laughing, ran over to the +other side of the yard. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I guess they are all right,” said Nan, +as she stopped running and turned back. +</p> +<p> +Then the bell rang to call the children in +from their play, and they took their places in +long lines. A little later Bert and Nan were +in their room, saying their lessons, and Flossie +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +and Freddie were with their classmates, getting +ready to recite in geography. +</p> +<p> +Miss Snell, their teacher, looked over the +room. She noticed one vacant seat. +</p> +<p> +“Where is Nick?” asked Miss Snell. “He +was here before recess. Did anyone see him +go home?” +</p> +<p> +No one answered for a moment, and then +Flossie raised her little, fat, chubby hand. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, Flossie, what is it?” asked Miss Snell, +with a smile. +</p> +<p> +“Nick didn’t go home,” said the little girl. +“He—he’s out in the yard.” +</p> +<p> +“Out in the yard?” exclaimed the teacher. +“He should come in!” +</p> +<p> +“If you please, he can’t,” said Freddie suddenly. +“He’s locked up! I locked him up!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III—THANKSGIVING</h2> +<p> +Miss Snell was not quite sure that she understood +Freddie Bobbsey. She looked at the +little twin, smiled to make him understand that +she was not cross, and said: +</p> +<p> +“What did you do to Nick, Freddie?” +</p> +<p> +“I locked him up,” Freddie answered. “In +the tool shed. I have the key, too,” and, +marching up to Miss Snell’s desk he laid on it +a large key. +</p> +<p> +“You locked Nick in the tool shed!” repeated +the surprised teacher. “Why, Freddie +Bobbsey! what a strange thing to do. Why +did you do it?” +</p> +<p> +“He pulled my hair,” Flossie explained. “I +mean Nick did. He pulled it yesterday, too, +and I told Freddie and Freddie said he would +make Nick stop.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, go on, please,” urged Miss Snell, as +Flossie grew silent. +</p> +<p> +“Well, when he pulled it again to-day,” resumed +the little girl, “I hollered for Freddie +and we hit Nick and he hit us and we pushed +him into the shed and—and——” +</p> +<p> +“I locked the door!” finished Freddie. “You +can hear him hollerin’ to get out,” he added. +“Listen!” +</p> +<p> +The windows had been opened to freshen +the air in the classroom, and as silence followed +Freddie’s last remark Miss Snell and the +children could plainly hear, coming from the +shed, the voice of someone calling: +</p> +<p> +“Let me out! Let me out!” +</p> +<p> +“That’s Nick,” calmly explained Freddie. +“But I’m not going to let him out ’cause he +pulled Flossie’s hair.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, of course, he shouldn’t do that,” said +Miss Snell. “But you should not have locked +him in, Freddie. I shall have to tell the principal +and get him to let Nick out.” +</p> +<p> +The eyes of Flossie and Freddie grew big +as the teacher said this. The eyes of the other +children opened wide also. To have to tell +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span> +“the principal” anything meant that it was +very serious. +</p> +<p> +“But I am sure you did not mean to do +wrong,” Miss Snell added, as she saw that +Freddie and Flossie looked rather frightened. +“It will be all right, I’ll have the principal let +Nick out. You may look over your geography +lesson while I am gone. I want you to tell +me, when I come back, what is a river, a lake, +and an island.” +</p> +<p> +“We know about a island,” said Flossie in +a loud whisper. “Once we camped on Blueberry +Island, didn’t we, Freddie?” +</p> +<p> +“Yep!” he answered. “An’ I fell in!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you may tell us about that later,” and +Miss Snell tried not to laugh. “But don’t talk +any more in school; and study your lesson +while I go to Mr. Nixon’s office.” +</p> +<p> +While Miss Snell was out of the room I do +not believe much studying was done by Flossie, +Freddie or any of their classmates. They all +listened as, through the open window, came +the cries of Nick Malone calling: +</p> +<p> +“Let me out! Let me out!” +</p> +<p> +“I locked him in—’cause he pulled Flossie’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +hair!” declared Freddie, and Freddie was +looked upon as quite a hero by the boys and +girls in his room. +</p> +<p> +By standing up, Flossie, Freddie and the +others in their class could see the tool shed. +And the children stood up and looked out as +Miss Snell and the principal went to release the +locked-up boy. He came out crying, and +seemed frightened. But he soon quieted down, +and promised never again to pull Flossie’s hair, +while Freddie was made to promise never again +to lock anyone in the tool shed. +</p> +<p> +“Tell your teacher, or tell me, when anyone +plagues your sister, Freddie,” the principal +said. +</p> +<p> +“Yes’m—I mean yes, sir,” Freddie answered. +</p> +<p> +Neither he nor Flossie had any more trouble +with the “bad” boy, about whose teasing they +had talked on their way to school that morning. +I think, after being locked up, that Nick +was afraid of Freddie. At any rate, Flossie’s +hair was not again pulled. +</p> +<p> +“Our smaller twins are growing up,” said +Mr. Bobbsey to his wife at home that night, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span> +when the story of what had happened in school +had been told at the supper table. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” agreed Mrs. Bobbsey. “Our little +‘fireman’ and our ‘fat fairy’ will soon be almost +as big as Bert and Nan.” Fireman and fairy +were the pet names for the smaller Bobbsey +twins. But they were getting almost too old +for pet names now. +</p> +<p> +The weeks passed, and the weather grew +colder, though, as yet, no snow had appeared. +Freddie and Flossie, who had gotten out their +sleds soon after coming home from the West, +looked at the sky anxiously each day. +</p> +<p> +“Do you think it will ever snow?” asked +Flossie of her mother. “I want to go coasting.” +</p> +<p> +“So do I, and skating, too,” Freddie added. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, there is still plenty of time for it to +snow this winter,” said their mother. “Why, +it isn’t Thanksgiving yet.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s so!” exclaimed Freddie. +“Thanksgiving is coming, an’ we’ll have cranberry +sauce an’ turkey!” +</p> +<p> +“An’ pie an’ cake!” cried Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Thanksgiving is not meant only for feasting,” +said their mother. “It is a time for being +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span> +thankful for all your blessings. It is a time, +also, to think of the poor, and to try to help +them.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish we could help some poor,” said +Flossie. “Is it fun, Mother?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I don’t know that you would call it +fun,” her mother replied, with a smile, “though +it gives more pleasure than many things that +you do call ‘fun’. Just try it and see.” +</p> +<p> +Rather thoughtful, Flossie and Freddie went +out together. It was the Saturday before +Thanksgiving and they did not have to go to +school. They each had two cents to spend, +and it was while going down the street to the +nearest candy store that they passed the home +of Miss Alicia Pompret. +</p> +<p> +“Hello, Bobbsey twins!” called Miss Pompret +to Flossie and Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” answered the blue-eyed little boy +and girl. They knew Miss Pompret quite +well, since Bert and Nan had, on their trip to +Washington, discovered some of the elderly +lady’s missing valuable china. Miss Pompret +was what some people would call “rich,” and +she had offered a reward for the finding of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span> +her rare sugar-bowl and milk-pitcher. It was +these pieces that Nan had, by chance, seen in +a secondhand store window, and Miss Pompret +paid the older Bobbsey twins the reward, which +they turned in to charity. +</p> +<p> +“Are you going to the store for your +mother?” asked Miss Pompret of Flossie and +Freddie, as they paused at her door. +</p> +<p> +“We’re going to the store for ourselves,” +Freddie answered. +</p> +<p> +“We have two cents apiece,” added his sister. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I see!” laughed the elderly, maiden +lady. “Well, on your way would you mind +stopping at the grocer’s and telling him he +hasn’t yet sent the barrel of flour, the barrel +of potatoes, and the ten hams I ordered. Tell +him I expect them to-day.” +</p> +<p> +“My! you’re gettin’ a lot of stuff, Miss +Pompret,” said Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Well, you see, I am going to give a large +dinner to a number of poor people for Thanksgiving,” +said Miss Pompret, “and I want some +things for them to take home with them. +That’s why I’m ordering so much.” +</p> +<p> +“For the poor!” murmured Freddie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, dear,” went on the lady. “You know +Thanksgiving is not meant to see how much +we can eat, but to think of our blessings and +help other persons to have blessings that they +may be thankful for.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what mother said,” remarked Flossie. +“Yes’m, we’ll stop at the grocery for you.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you,” called Miss Pompret. +</p> +<p> +Then, as she and Freddie walked on, Flossie +turned to her brother and said: +</p> +<p> +“Freddie, didn’t we ought to do something +for the poor?” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe we ought,” he agreed. “But who is +poor?” +</p> +<p> +“Anybody that has ragged clothes is poor,” +observed Flossie. “We could give ’em some +of our clothes, ’cause I’ve got so many my +closet is full.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ve two pair of pants,” observed Freddie. +“I don’t need but one, I guess. But you can’t +eat clothes, Flossie.” +</p> +<p> +“I know it, but you have to have clothes +when it’s cold. And it maybe will snow for +Thanksgiving. Oh, Freddie! we could give +our two cents to somebody poor for Thanksgiving!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +Flossie’s eyes were shining with delight. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, we could do that,” said Freddie, +slowly. “But you can’t get much clothes for +two cents and not much to eat, I don’t guess.” +</p> +<p> +Flossie thought this over for a moment, and +then her face lighted up. +</p> +<p> +“I know what we can do!” she said. “We +can look for some poor ragged people, and take +them to our house for Thanksgiving. Mother +or father could give them some clothes and +they could have some of our turkey. Daddy +and mother have some dressings, too, like Miss +Pompret said.” +</p> +<p> +“She didn’t say ‘<em>dressings</em>,’” objected Freddie. +“It’s ‘<em>blessings</em>,’ like you get in Sunday-school.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh,” said Flossie. “Well, we could get +some for the poor. Let’s do it, Freddie.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” agreed the little fellow. +</p> +<p> +They were just going into the candy store, +having stopped at the grocer’s with the message +from Miss Pompret, when Flossie and Freddie +caught sight of a ragged boy and girl, about +their own age, standing with their faces close +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> +against the glass of the show window of the +toy and candy shop. +</p> +<p> +“Freddie, look!” whispered Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“They’re poor!” whispered Freddie. “Let’s +take them!” +</p> +<p> +Flossie nodded in agreement, and then they +went up to the ragged children who were +eagerly gazing in the window, which was partly +filled with Christmas toys. +</p> +<p> +“Come on with us,” said Freddie, tapping +the other boy on the shoulder. +</p> +<p> +Quickly the boy turned, doubled up his fist, +and, thrusting the ragged girl behind him, he +exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“Now you let us alone! We wasn’t doin’ +nothin’! We was just lookin’ in the winder, +an’ that’s what it’s for! You let us alone!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV—BERT IN DANGER</h2> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie were so surprised at +the strange action on the part of the ragged +boy that they hardly knew what to do. Flossie +looked at Freddie and Freddie looked at his +sister, and then they looked at the strange boy +and girl. +</p> +<p> +“You let her alone, an’ you let me alone!” +ordered the ragged boy. “I ain’t done nothin’, +an’ she ain’t done nothin’!” +</p> +<p> +“You shouldn’t say ‘ain’t,’ ’cause it ain’t—I +mean it <em>isn’t</em> a good word. Our teacher says +so,” Flossie quickly admonished the strange +boy. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I don’t care what I say, you oughtn’t +to drive us away from lookin’ in this winder,” +objected the boy. “Nice smells comes out; and +when you ain’t—I mean when you <em>isn’t</em> got +any money to buy candy, you can smell it!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie looked at each other in +surprise. To be so poor that one had to “smell” +candy instead of eating it, was to be poor indeed! +Flossie opened her fat chubby hand and +looked at the two moist pennies clutched there. +Freddie did the same. Then the small Bobbsey +twins, with one accord, held out the money to +the boy and girl. +</p> +<p> +“Here,” said Freddie. “Take it!” +</p> +<p> +“Mine too!” added Flossie. “You can buy +candy with it!” +</p> +<p> +For a moment the ragged boy and girl did +not know what to say. Then a smile came over +the boy’s face. His fist unclenched, and his +sister smiled too. +</p> +<p> +“You mean this—for us?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Sure!” answered Freddie. “We don’t need +candy, and we’ll feel good for Thanksgivin’!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’m going to buy two lollypops!” cried +the ragged girl. +</p> +<p> +“I want gum!” said the boy, and into the +store they disappeared. +</p> +<p> +Freddie drew a long breath. +</p> +<p> +“I—I feel happy, don’t you?” he asked +Flossie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” she answered. “I—I guess I do! +Anyhow, we can ask mother for more pennies +when we go home.” +</p> +<p> +“Let’s take them home for Thanksgiving,” +suggested Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“You mean that ragged boy and girl?” asked +Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Yes. Miss Pompret is going to feed some +poor, and we can feed some at our house. +Let’s take ’em home,” went on Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that will be fine!” Flossie agreed. +“Let’s!” +</p> +<p> +When they came out of the candy store the +ragged boy and his sister, who at first thought +Flossie and Freddie had wanted to drive them +away from the window, were smiling. +</p> +<p> +“You’re coming home with us!” announced +Freddie, taking the boy’s hand. +</p> +<p> +“For Thanksgiving,” added Flossie. “Course +it isn’t Thanksgiving yet, but we want to feel +good when it does come, so we’re going to feed +you now.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’m hungry all right,” sighed the +ragged boy. +</p> +<p> +“So’m I,” said his sister. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +</p> +<p> +And so, hardly knowing what was going to +happen, the ragged boy, who said his name was +Dick, and his sister, who was Mary Thompson, +went with the little Bobbsey twins. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bobbsey was very much surprised when +her little son and daughter came up the steps, +leading a strange ragged boy and girl. +</p> +<p> +“We brought them home for Thanksgiving, +like Miss Pompret’s going to do,” said Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“So’s to make us be more happier,” added +Flossie. “And we gave them our two cents, +so please can we have more? And they’re hungry, +Mother!” +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bobbsey understood that it was the +kind hearts of Flossie and Freddie that had +brought all this about. So she welcomed the +two strange children, and took them out to +Dinah, who, you may be sure, fed them +enough, and almost too much. +</p> +<p> +After that meal, which Dick said was the +“best feed” he ever had eaten, and after Flossie +and Freddie had finished watching their +strange, ragged guests eat, Mrs. Bobbsey asked +Dick and his sister some questions. +</p> +<p> +She found out that they lived on the other +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span> +side of town, that their father was dead, and +that their mother did what she could for her +children. +</p> +<p> +“Do you go to our school?” asked Freddie, +during a pause in his mother’s questions. +“We’ve a nice school, and our teacher’s name +is Miss Snell, and——” +</p> +<p> +“And Freddie locked a boy up in the tool shed +’cause he pulled my hair—I mean the bad boy +pulled my hair,” broke in Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“We don’t go to school—our clothes is too +ragged,” said Mary, in a low voice. +</p> +<p> +“Never mind, my dear. Perhaps I can find +some clothes for you that aren’t quite so full +of holes,” offered Mrs. Bobbsey kindly. +“Clothes with holes in are fine for summer,” +she said, with a laugh, “but not so good for +winter. I’ll see what I can find.” +</p> +<p> +She found some good, half-worn garments +belonging to the twins, and Dick and Mary +took the clothes home. The result was that +they appeared at school the following Monday. +But neither Flossie nor Freddie spoke of their +mother having given the two fatherless children +clothes to wear. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +</p> +<p> +“Now we’ll be happy for Thanksgiving; +won’t we, Freddie?” asked Flossie, when it +was settled that Dick and Mary were to be +taken care of. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” Freddie agreed. “And I hope we +have a big turkey!” +</p> +<p> +“An’ cranberry sauce!” added his sister. +</p> +<p> +There was a fine Thanksgiving dinner at +the Bobbsey home, but the mother of the four +twins did not forget the poor. She helped Miss +Pompret with that lady’s Thanksgiving feast +for those who were not fortunate enough to +have one of their own, and Mr. Bobbsey and +some other good-hearted men of Lakeport provided +money so that the Salvation Army could +feed a number of hungry men who were out +of work. +</p> +<p> +Still there was one reason why at least +Flossie and Freddie, of the Bobbsey family, +were not quite happy that Thanksgiving day. +And the reason was because there was no snow. +The children had polished their sleds, had +wiped the rust off the runners, and were all +ready for a coast. But without snow there +can be no sleigh riding, and though the weather +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span> +was cold, the sun shone from a cloudless sky, +and Flossie and Freddie were much disappointed. +</p> +<p> +“Do you think it will ever snow, Mother?” +asked Flossie for about the twentieth time. +</p> +<p> +“And will there be ice so I can skate?” +Freddie wanted to know. +</p> +<p> +“Well, my dears, there will be snow and ice, +surely, in a little while,” answered Mrs. Bobbsey. +“But when I can not say. You must be +patient. Think of your blessings, as Uncle +William would say.” +</p> +<p> +“I want to have some fun,” complained +Freddie. “Oh, look!” he suddenly cried, coming +back to the window away from which he +had started to go. +</p> +<p> +“What is it?” asked Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“It’s our cat—Snoop! A big dog just came +along and Snoop ran up the tree. Now he can’t +get down!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, of course Snoop can get down out of +a tree,” said Nan. “He’s often climbed up +and down before.” +</p> +<p> +But this time Snoop did not come down. +Whether he had been too much frightened by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span> +the dog, or whether he was afraid of falling if +he started to come down backward out of the +tree, I don’t know. But Snoop stayed up on a +limb, where he cried pitifully. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll get him down,” offered Bert. “I can +climb out on that limb from our front porch +roof. I’ve done it before.” +</p> +<p> +Bert went upstairs, climbed out on the porch +roof, and a little later was over in the tree +where Snoop was perched. +</p> +<p> +“Mew! Mew!” dismally cried the cat. +</p> +<p> +“I’m coming to get you,” said Bert, kindly. +“Wait a minute, Snoop!” +</p> +<p> +From the ground Flossie, Freddie and Nan +watched Bert make his way out on a limb toward +Snoop. And then, all of a sudden, there +was a cracking, breaking sound and Bert cried: +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’m falling! I’m going to fall!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V—CHRISTMAS TREES</h2> +<p> +Several things happened all in a moment. +The cracking limb, Bert’s cries, and the swaying +of the bough as it bent toward the ground +with the weight of the Bobbsey boy frightened +Snoop, the cat. All this did just what was +needed, for it so frightened Snoop that down +he scrambled out of the tree, not caring whether +or not he fell. +</p> +<p> +Bert, as soon as he felt the tree branch giving +way with him, reached out his arms and +grasped whatever came first to his hands. This +happened to be another branch over his head, +so that there he was, his feet on one limb that +was slowly bending beneath his weight, and +his hands grasping a branch above him. +</p> +<p> +And, to add to the excitement, Flossie and +Freddie, who saw what danger Bert was in, +set up a dismal crying. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Bert’s going to fall! Bert’s going to +fall!” yelled Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Daddy! Mother! Dinah! Somebody! +Come quick!” exclaimed Flossie. “Catch Bert +before he falls!” +</p> +<p> +Nan ran out under the tree and stood with +her dress held up, as she used to do when her +father picked apples and dropped them down to +her. Nan may have thought Bert could drop +down and she would catch him, as a man jumps +into a circus net from the top of the tent. But, +again, perhaps Nan was so excited that she +really did not know what she was doing. +</p> +<p> +However, daddy and mother came hurrying +to the window, attracted by the cries of the +children, and Mr. Bobbsey, seeing just what +was needed, said to his wife: +</p> +<p> +“Run and tell Sam to come here with the +ladder. It stands back of the chicken house.” +</p> +<p> +“I will,” said Mrs. Bobbsey. So, instead of +running out after Mr. Bobbsey to see poor +Bert dangling in the tree, she hurried to the +rear door and called to Sam, who was working +over Mr. Bobbsey’s automobile. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +</p> +<p> +“Sam! Sam! Bring the ladder out in front, +quick!” cried Mrs. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“Ladder! De ladder?” repeated the colored +husband of fat Dinah. “Am dey a fire some +place?” +</p> +<p> +“No fire!” answered Mrs. Bobbsey. “But +Bert is up a tree and he is falling! Mr. Bobbsey +wants the ladder to get him down! +Hurry!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh!” answered Sam. Then he hurried to +the chicken house, got the ladder, and hurried +around to the front of the house with it. +</p> +<p> +“Can you hold on a little longer, Bert?” +asked his father anxiously, as Sam began to +raise the ladder up into the tree. +</p> +<p> +“I—I guess so,” was the answer. “Is Snoop +all right?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, Snoop’s all right. He jumped. But +don’t you jump!” called Nan. +</p> +<p> +“I—I won’t,” Bert answered. +</p> +<p> +Then his father and Sam raised the ladder +up into the tree, and a few minutes later they +had rescued Bert, helping him so that he +could put his feet on the ladder and climb +down. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> +</p> +<p> +“What made you go up?” asked his mother, +when the excitement was all over. +</p> +<p> +“I went up after Snoop,” said Bert. “A +strange dog chased him up the tree.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, of course, you meant to be kind,” +said his father. “But you must be careful +when in a tree. Very often a branch may look +sound and strong, as though it would hold you +up. But when you step on it or pull on it, it +breaks. It is always a good plan, if you climb +a tree in the woods—or anywhere else—to pull +on a limb to test it before you bear your full +weight on it. If you hear a cracking sound it +means that the branch will break.” +</p> +<p> +“I heard a cracking sound,” Bert said. “But +that was after I got out on the limb with my +feet.” +</p> +<p> +“Then it was almost too late,” his father +said. “But remember always to test a branch +before you trust yourself to it.” +</p> +<p> +The Bobbsey twins and the others went back +into the house, and the rest of the Thanksgiving +day passed pleasantly. Snoop and Snap +had been given especially good dinners in honor +of the occasion. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +</p> +<p> +In the morning, when Flossie and Freddie +awakened, which generally happened at the +same time, the little fellow ran to the window +and looked out. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look, Flossie! Look!” he cried. +“Come and see!” +</p> +<p> +“Is Snoop up the tree again?” asked the +little girl. +</p> +<p> +“No, but it’s snowing! Snowing hard! +Now we can have some fun with our sleds! +Come on, we’ll go coasting!” +</p> +<p> +Later the two smaller Bobbsey twins, having +had their breakfasts, ran out to play in the +snow. Quite a little had fallen during the +night, and more was coming down. It was +just about right for starting to make a coasting +hill. +</p> +<p> +Not far from the Bobbsey home, on a side +street, was a hill where the smaller children +had their fun. Bert and Nan, with some of +the older boys and girls, generally went to a +longer and steeper hill some distance away. +But this time Bert and Nan had not gotten out +their sleds. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to wait for Charlie Mason,” said +Bert. “He said he’d come over as soon as it +snowed. We’re going to make a bob.” +</p> +<p> +“May I have a ride on it?” asked Nan. “I’ll +help you get some pieces of carpet to tack on +if you’ll let me ride.” +</p> +<p> +“Sure we’ll let you,” agreed Bert. And then +he went to telephone over to ask if Charlie +were coming. +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile Flossie and Freddie and some of +their friends were having fun on the small +hill. Each of the smaller Bobbsey twins had +a sled, and the children had races to see who +would get first to the bottom of the slope. +With merry shouts and laughter they played +amid the swirling flakes of white snow. +</p> +<p> +The fun was at its liveliest, and Flossie and +Freddie were among the merriest, when along +came Nick Malone, the boy whom Freddie had +locked in the tool shed at school. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Freddie! Look!” whispered Flossie, +dropping the rope of her sled and moving +closer to her brother. +</p> +<p> +“What is it?” asked Freddie, for he was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span> +watching Sammie Henderson go down hill +backward on a “dare.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s that—that bad boy!” whispered Flossie. +“He might pull my hair!” +</p> +<p> +“If he does, I’ll—I’ll——” began Freddie, +and then up swaggered Nick. +</p> +<p> +“Hu! you can’t do nothin’ to me now,” he +sneered. “There ain’t no teacher or principal +here! There!” and he reached over as if to +pull Flossie’s hair. +</p> +<p> +“You let my sister alone!” cried Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Yah! Yah! Why don’t you wear girls’ +dresses!” taunted Nick. “You’re a girl-boy! +Girl-boy!” +</p> +<p> +“I am not!” declared Freddie, while the +other coasters gathered around. “You go on +away!” +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to have a coast! Here, I guess +I’ll take this sled!” cried Nick, and before +Freddie could stop him the bad boy caught +Flossie’s sled from the ground and ran with +it toward the top of the hill. +</p> +<p> +“Here! You come back! You let my sister’s +sled alone!” shouted Freddie, racing after +Nick. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span> +</p> +<p> +Now Freddie was a good runner, but Nick +had the start of him, and reached the top of +the hill first. However, Freddie was not far +behind, and no sooner did Nick throw himself +flat on the little Bobbsey girl’s sled, face down, +than Freddie made a jump, and right on top +of Nick’s back he landed! +</p> +<p> +“Hi! Get off!” cried Nick, his breath +rather knocked out of him, for Freddie was a +fat, chubby little fellow. +</p> +<p> +“You get off my sister’s sled!” demanded +Flossie’s brother. +</p> +<p> +But it was too late for this. It was impossible +for Nick to stop now, and down the hill +he coasted on Flossie’s sled, with Freddie on +his back, both boys coasting together! +</p> +<p> +It was a trick the children often did on the +hill, and there was nothing hard about it. +Only this time it happened to be an accident, +and the two boys were enemies and not +friends. +</p> +<p> +Freddie was so surprised at the sudden and +unexpected coast that he just had to hold fast +to Nick and he could say nothing more. But +when the bottom of the hill was reached, Freddie, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +being on top, began to pound Nick’s back +with his two sturdy fists. +</p> +<p> +“Hey! Quit! Let me up!” begged the bad +boy. +</p> +<p> +“Not till you give me my sister’s sled!” insisted +Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Well, how can I give it to her when you’re +sittin’ on me?” yelled Nick. +</p> +<p> +With that Freddie got off the other lad’s +back, allowing him to get up. The other boys +gathered around, thinking there might be a +fight. But Nick had had enough. He found +Freddie braver than he had thought, and turned +away, muttering: +</p> +<p> +“Aw, I only wanted a ride an’ I got it!” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and Freddie had one too!” laughed +Sam Miller. +</p> +<p> +Nick walked away, and then the younger +Bobbsey twins again started coasting, Freddie +taking Flossie’s sled back to her. +</p> +<p> +It was still snowing when noon came, and +Flossie and Freddie had to go home to lunch. +They found Bert and Charlie busy making a +bobsled in the back yard. The older boys were +fastening together their sleds by a long plank, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> +and Nan was helping by tacking some strips +of carpet on the plank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, can we ride on that?” asked Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe,” said his brother. “How’s the little +hill?” +</p> +<p> +“Nice,” Freddie answered. +</p> +<p> +“An’ you ought to’ve seen Nick Malone take +my sled and Freddie jump on his back!” cried +Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Is that fellow bothering you two again?” +demanded Bert, looking up with a hammer in +his hand. “I’ll get after him, that’s what I +will!” +</p> +<p> +“Freddie got after him,” explained Flossie. +“Oh, I’m so glad it snows! We’re going coasting +some more after dinner.” +</p> +<p> +“Sure!” added Freddie. +</p> +<p> +At the dinner table Bert and Nan noticed +that their father seemed worried over something. +He went to the window several times +to look out at the storm. +</p> +<p> +“If this keeps up the shipment will never +arrive,” he said to his wife. +</p> +<p> +“You mean the Christmas trees?” she asked. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” answered Mr. Bobbsey. “They are +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +late now, and something seems to be wrong up +there in the woods.” +</p> +<p> +“Shan’t we have any Christmas tree?” asked +Freddie, who did not know just what was being +talked about. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I guess so,” his father said, and again +he went to look at the snow. +</p> +<p> +“Are you going to sell Christmas trees?” +Bert asked. He had caught the word “shipment,” +and knew it had to do with some part +of his father’s lumber business. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I am going into the Christmas tree +business this year,” said Mr. Bobbsey. “That +is, I have bought a large shipment of them to +be sent here to me from the North Woods. If +they get here in time I can sell them and make +some money. But if this snow keeps up, the +carloads of trees, or the shipment, will be delayed, +and if they don’t get here at least a +week before Christmas they will be of little +use to me. But perhaps the snow will not be +as heavy as I fear.” +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t know you sold Christmas trees,” +remarked Nan. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i002' id='i002'></a> +<img src="images/illus-052.jpg" alt="THE CHILDREN HAD GREAT FUN COASTING." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>THE CHILDREN HAD GREAT FUN COASTING.</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span></div> +<p> +“I never did before,” her father said. “It’s +a new business for me, and I may make a +failure of it.” +</p> +<p> +Then the older Bobbsey twins began to understand +how it is that snow can bring pleasure +to boys and girls, but may often mean trouble +for older people in business. +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ll hope for the best,” said Mr. +Bobbsey, as he started back to the office after +dinner, when the white flakes were still falling +steadily. “I may have to go up to the North +Woods to see about that shipment of trees if +they don’t get here soon.” +</p> +<p> +“Could we go?” asked Bert, having a joyful +vision of a mid-winter trip to one of his father’s +lumber camps. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’ll see,” answered Mr. Bobbsey, and +Nan and Bert looked at each other in delight. +</p> +<p> +Some strange adventures were ahead of +them, though they did not know it. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI—OFF TO CEDAR CAMP</h2> +<p> +Bert and Charlie, with Nan’s help, finished +the bobsled in time to use on the coasting hill +that afternoon and early in the evening. And +it is a good thing they had hurried with it, for +the next day there came a thaw and the snow +began to melt. It melted so fast that by noon +there was scarcely enough for Flossie and +Freddie to have any fun on even the small hill, +and what snow there was had mostly turned +to slush. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, dear,” sighed Nan, when she found +that she and her brothers and sister had to +give up their pleasure, “this isn’t any fun!” +</p> +<p> +“That’s right,” agreed Bert. “But the winter +isn’t over. We always have a lot of snow +after Christmas.” +</p> +<p> +“And I suppose we ought to be glad there +isn’t a big storm,” went on Nan, when it had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span> +been decided to give up coasting and the older +Bobbsey twins were dragging home the new +bobsled. +</p> +<p> +“Why ought we be glad?” Bert wanted to +know. +</p> +<p> +“Because if it doesn’t storm so much daddy +can get his shipment of Christmas trees here +and make some money.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s so—I forgot!” exclaimed Bert. +“But if the trees do come we can’t make that +trip with him to the North Woods to see what +the matter is. And I wanted to go on a trip +like that, for we don’t have much school now, +on account of the holidays.” +</p> +<p> +“It would be nice to go off somewhere in the +winter,” agreed Nan. “Remember what fun +we had at Snow Lodge?” +</p> +<p> +“I should say so!” cried Bert. “But there +isn’t much use talking about snow when it +thaws like this,” and he stepped into a puddle +of slush. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, be careful!” cried Nan. “You’ll get +your feet wet!” +</p> +<p> +“I have rubbers on,” said Bert. +</p> +<p> +There was nothing to do but to leave the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +bobsled and the other sleds in the shed attached +to the garage. There they would stay +until more snow came. When Bert went into +the house, after putting away the bobsled and +helping Flossie and Freddie store away their +smaller sleds, he found his mother waiting for +him. +</p> +<p> +“Bert,” said Mrs. Bobbsey, “here is a special +delivery letter that just came for your +father. It should have been delivered at the +office, but they sent it here by mistake, and +Dinah took it in before I could call to the boy +to take it back with him. I called your father +up about it on the telephone and he said, if +you came in, to have you bring it down.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll go,” replied Bert cheerfully. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, may we go along?” begged Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll be good!” promised Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Shall I take them?” asked Bert of his +mother. +</p> +<p> +“If you want to,” she answered. “Does +Nan want to go?” +</p> +<p> +But Nan, as it happened, had some sewing +she wanted to do on a Christmas gift for one +of her girl friends, so she said she would stay +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span> +in the house and busy herself with needle and +thread. Thus it came about that Bert took the +smaller Bobbsey twins down to his father’s +office. +</p> +<p> +They went in a trolley car, and, as they +always did, Freddie and Flossie became very +much interested in everything that happened, +from the fat lady who could hardly get on to +the scenes in the streets. +</p> +<p> +There were many trucks and wagons in one +street, as the car came nearer that part of +Lakeport in which Mr. Bobbsey’s lumberyard +and office were situated. Finally the street became +so crowded with wagons and automobiles +that the car had to proceed slowly. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Freddie, look!” suddenly called Flossie, +pointing out of the window. A big auto-truck, +piled high with crates, in which were chickens +and ducks, had come to a stop alongside of +the trolley car, and so close that, had the window +been open, the Bobbsey twins could have +reached out their hands and touched some of +the fowls. +</p> +<p> +“I guess they’re getting in big shipments of +ducks, turkeys and chickens ready for Christmas,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span> +said Bert. “Look out there, Freddie!” +he suddenly called, and, leaping from his place +beside Flossie, Bert made a grab and pulled +Freddie off the seat. +</p> +<p> +Only just in time, too, for at that moment +the auto-truck, which had started off after being +stalled, lurched to one side, and a corner +of one of the chicken crates crashed through +a car window, breaking the glass. +</p> +<p> +Bert had seen the crate of chickens shifting +around as the truck started, and had guessed +that it was going to slide over and crash against +the trolley car, just as it did. So he pulled +Freddie away in time. +</p> +<p> +Some of the passengers in the car screamed, +and there was a shout by the conductor and +motorman as the glass crashed in the electric +vehicle. +</p> +<p> +And then a funny thing happened. One of +the slats of the chicken crate on the auto-truck +came loose, and in through the broken window +fluttered a hen and a rooster. Right into the +trolley they flew, the hen cackling and the +rooster crowing! +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look! Look!” cried Flossie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> +</p> +<p> +“Catch ’em!” shouted Freddie, pulling away +from Bert and grabbing for the rooster. +</p> +<p> +But the rooster did not intend to be caught. +Half running and half flying, he “scooted,” as +Freddie called it, down to the end of the car, +and, as the conductor had just opened the door +to look out and see what was causing the +blockade, the rooster made his escape. +</p> +<p> +The hen, however, did not seem to know how +to get out. She fluttered around, cackling and +making a great fuss. The men in the car +laughed, and the women held their hands over +their hats so the chicken would not light on +them. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe she came in here to lay an egg!” +suggested Flossie, laughing. +</p> +<p> +“I’m goin’ to catch her!” shouted Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Get her and have a chicken dinner,” said +the motorman. +</p> +<p> +By this time the car was in an uproar, most +of the passengers enjoying the queer excitement. +As for the hen, I do not think she liked +it at all, though she had more room than in +the crate. +</p> +<p> +The driver of the auto-truck was talking to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span> +a policeman about whose fault it was that the +trolley window had become broken, and the +motorman and conductor now joined in. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got to get that chicken and rooster +back,” said the truck driver. “I’ll be blamed +for letting them get away.” +</p> +<p> +“And we’ll be blamed for having a window +in our car broken,” said the conductor. “It +was your fault.” +</p> +<p> +“It was not!” insisted the driver. +</p> +<p> +Cackling and fluttering, the hen raced about +inside the trolley car, and Freddie tried to +catch her, but could not. Several of the +men made grabs for the lively fowl, but finally +she saw the same open door by which the +rooster had gotten out, and away she flew. +</p> +<p> +“She didn’t like it in here,” observed Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t blame her,” said a woman passenger, +laughing. “Poor thing! Her nerves +must be all on an edge.” +</p> +<p> +“Let’s go and see if they catch ’em,” suggested +Freddie. But Bert said they had no +time for that. +</p> +<p> +The slipping crate, which had broken the +window, was finally pulled back on the truck. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span> +The slat was nailed fast so no other fowls +could get out, and then the trolley car moved +along. The conductor picked up the larger +pieces of broken glass and pulled the curtain +down over the window to keep out the cold +air. +</p> +<p> +“My, you must have had some excitement,” +said Mr. Bobbsey, when the children finally +reached his office and told him of the accident. +“I’m glad Freddie wasn’t cut by the broken +glass.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad, too,” said the little Bobbsey boy. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Bobbsey read the letter Bert had brought +him, and then the same worried look Bert had +seen before came over his father’s face. +</p> +<p> +“Do you want me to tell mother anything?” +asked Bert. +</p> +<p> +“No, except to thank her for sending me +down this letter. Still, you might say to her +that I think I shall have to go to Cedar Camp +in a day or two.” +</p> +<p> +“Where’s Cedar Camp?” asked Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Where the Christmas trees grow,” his +father answered, with a smile. “It’s where +the Christmas trees grow that I hope to have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span> +to sell. I haven’t got them yet, and I’m going +there to see what the trouble is. This letter +is about the trees.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, can’t we go and see where the Christmas +trees grow?” begged Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“We like it in the woods,” said Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“I suppose you do,” his father answered, +smiling. “But the woods in winter are very +different from in summer. However, we shall +not have any bad storms or severe weather for +another month, I think. Perhaps I might be +able to take my Bobbsey twins to Cedar Camp,” +and he playfully pinched Flossie’s fat cheek. +</p> +<p> +“It would be nifty to go!” said Bert. “Do +you really think you’ll take us?” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll talk it over to-night at home,” said +his father. “Here, take Flossie and Freddie +to the store and get them some hot chocolate,” +he added, giving Bert some money. +</p> +<p> +The little Bobbsey twins liked the chocolate +very much, but they were so excited, thinking +about a possible trip to the North Woods, that +they talked of nothing else. +</p> +<p> +“Do you really think you will have to go?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> +asked Mrs. Bobbsey of her husband that evening. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” he answered. “Those Christmas trees +have been lost somewhere between Cedar Camp +and here, and I must find them, or I shall lose +a lot on them. I will go to Cedar Camp in +a few days.” +</p> +<p> +“And take us?” asked Bert. +</p> +<p> +“All of us!” cried Freddie. +</p> +<p> +Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey looked at one another. +</p> +<p> +“Would you like to go?” asked Mr. Bobbsey +of his wife. +</p> +<p> +“Where could we stay?” she inquired. +</p> +<p> +“There is a large log cabin that one of my +foremen used to live in,” Mr. Bobbsey answered. +“The cabin is empty, and we could +stay there as long as the weather did not get +too cold, and as long as there were no bad +storms. I really ought to go right to the woods, +so that if I cannot get on the track of the lost +shipment of Christmas trees I can start the +men to cutting others. So we might as well +all go.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, what fun!” cried the Bobbsey twins. +</p> +<p> +Since that first fall of snow, which did not +last very long, there had been no storms in +the region of Lakeport, and Mr. Bobbsey +thought he could get to Cedar Camp and return +with his family before the really severe +winter weather set in. He did not believe it +would take long to look up the matter of the +delayed shipment of the Christmas trees and +straighten it out. +</p> +<p> +So it was settled, and a few days later, when +plans had been completed, the Bobbsey family +started for Cedar Camp. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII—IN THE NORTH WOODS</h2> +<p> +“It’s just lovely to take a trip like this,” said +Nan, as she leaned back in the automobile. +</p> +<p> +“Swell, I call it,” declared Bert. +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie said nothing just then. +They were too busy looking from the windows. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Bobbsey owned a large, closed automobile, +which even had an arrangement for heating, +and it was just the proper vehicle for a +trip like this. It easily held all the Bobbseys +and their baggage, which had been piled in to +go with them. +</p> +<p> +It had not taken long to make preparations +for the trip. Dinah and Sam would be left +in charge of the Lakeport house, and would +care for Snoop and Snap. +</p> +<p> +“I wish we could take our cat along,” sighed +Flossie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span> +</p> +<p> +“And Snap would be just right for the +woods,” said Freddie. “Everybody has a dog +in the woods.” +</p> +<p> +“We haven’t time to bother with Snoop and +Snap now,” said Mrs. Bobbsey, so the dog and +cat had been left at home, as much to their +sorrow as to that of the Bobbsey twins. +</p> +<p> +Cedar Camp was in what was called the +“North Woods,” about forty or fifty miles +from Lakeport. It was a wild, desolate region, +especially in the winter. In summer many +camping parties made the place more lively. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Bobbsey owned some timberland there, +from which was cut some of the lumber he +used in his business. And it was only this year +that he had decided to go into the Christmas +tree trade. He had ordered many hundreds +of the small cedars, spruce, and hemlocks cut +and shipped to him, some to Lakeport and +others to a more distant and larger city. +</p> +<p> +But something had gone wrong with the carloads +of trees. They had started from Cedar +Camp all right, but that was the last heard of +them. +</p> +<p> +“I can trace them from the North Woods +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span> +end better than from down here,” Mr. Bobbsey +had said, as a reason for making the trip. +</p> +<p> +The men who went into the woods to cut +timber and Christmas trees had to stay in +winter camps. They lived in log or slab cabins, +and there were many of them scattered +through the North Woods. It was in one of +these cabins, which had formerly been used by +a foreman and his family, that Mr. Bobbsey +planned to have his wife and children stay for +about a week. It would take him that long, +he thought, to locate the missing Christmas +trees. +</p> +<p> +And so now the Bobbsey twins were on the +first part of their journey in the large, closed +automobile. It was almost as comfortable as +traveling in a Pullman railroad car, and it was +much more fun, the children thought. +</p> +<p> +They had brought with them plenty of lunch, +some extra wraps, and some blankets and bed-clothes. +</p> +<p> +“What shall we eat when we get to the +North Woods?” asked Freddie, as he munched +some cookies his mother passed to him and +Flossie. “Shall we have any—chicken?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> +</p> +<p> +“If we could ’a’ brought the one in the trolley +car we could,” suggested Flossie. “Wasn’t +she funny, an’ the rooster, too?” +</p> +<p> +“I wish we could ’a’ caught them,” Freddie +murmured. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I think we’ll have enough to eat without +those fowls,” said their mother. +</p> +<p> +“They will if they like baked beans,” said +Mr. Bobbsey. “The lumbermen have plenty +of those. They bake big pans of them.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll help mother cook,” offered Nan. +</p> +<p> +“There will be a woman at the camp to +cook,” Mr. Bobbsey explained. “I wrote up +and engaged the wife of one of the lumbermen,” +he said. “I thought you’d like a little +rest from looking after housework even in +camp,” he said to his wife. +</p> +<p> +“Thank you, I will,” she said. “It will be +quite nice to be in the woods in winter; especially +the Christmas tree woods, where there +is so much greenery.” +</p> +<p> +On went the automobile, driven by Mr. Bobbsey. +Lakeport was left behind and they were +on a country road. The weather was fine, with +hardly a cloud in the sky, and Mr. Bobbsey +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span> +was glad that he had taken his family on this +little trip. +</p> +<p> +It looked as though they were going to have +good luck all the way. Noon came and saw +them more than half over their journey, and +as yet no mishaps had befallen them. There +was no tire trouble and the engine of the big +automobile seemed glad to work as hard as it +could going up hill and on the level with the +Bobbsey twins. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Bobbsey planned to get to Cedar Camp +before dark, and he would have done so but +for a little accident. They had left the town +of Bunkport, which was the last village before +the North Woods was reached, when the motor +began to chug in a queer manner. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” asked Mrs. Bobbsey. “One +of the cylinders seems to be missing.” +</p> +<p> +The Bobbsey twins knew what this meant. +That one of the parts of the automobile engine +was not working properly. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Daddy!” exclaimed Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“I guess the spark plug needs cleaning,” said +Mr. Bobbsey. “But we won’t stop for that +now. I think we can reach Cedar Camp, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> +then I’ll have plenty of time to take it out and +look at it.” +</p> +<p> +But the automobile continued to go more +and more slowly, and once, on a hill, it almost +stopped. +</p> +<p> +“If we can get over the top we can coast +down and soon be in Cedar Camp,” said Mr. +Bobbsey, in answer to an anxious look from +his wife. +</p> +<p> +The car did manage to climb the hill, and +then it was easy to go down the other side. +But there was still a farther distance to go +than Mr. Bobbsey had thought. The night +settled down, it became dark, and then, suddenly, +when the car was on a rough road in a +sort of lane cut through the evergreen trees, +the engine, with a sort of cough and chug, +stopped altogether. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, dear!” exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. +“We’re stalled!” +</p> +<p> +“Looks like it,” said Mr. Bobbsey, preparing +to get out and see what the trouble was. +</p> +<p> +“Where are we?” asked Bert, getting ready +to follow his father and help if he could. +</p> +<p> +“We’re in the North Woods,” answered Mr. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span> +Bobbsey. “Several miles from Cedar Camp, +I’m afraid.” +</p> +<p> +“It—it’s awful dark!” whispered Flossie. +“Aren’t they going to turn on the lights?” +</p> +<p> +“There aren’t ever any lights in the woods +’ceptin’ fireflies, are there, Daddy?” asked +Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Only our auto lights,” answered his father. +“Well, we may be able to travel soon.” +</p> +<p> +As he was getting out of the car into the +dark road, a mournful, shrill cry that echoed +all about sounded through the forest. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” gasped Nan, shrinking close +to her mother. “Oh, what is it?” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII—A NUTTING PARTY</h2> +<p> +Mrs. Bobbsey was rather alarmed at what +had happened to the automobile to cause it to +stop. She was also worried, thinking perhaps +they all might have to stay out in the woods +all night, if they could not go on to camp. +So when Nan asked the cause of the strange +noise her mother did not at first answer. +</p> +<p> +The sound came again, just as Bert was +getting down out of the car to go to his father, +who had lifted the hood over the motor to see +what was wrong, and the strange sound so +startled this Bobbsey twin lad that he let go +his hold of the side of the car and slid with +a bump to the ground. +</p> +<p> +“Ugh!” grunted Bert, as he fell. +</p> +<p> +He grunted in such a funny way, and he +looked so odd sitting there in the dusk, as if +he did not know what had happened, that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +Flossie and Freddie laughed. And this +laughter seemed to make them less afraid of +the queer call of the woods. +</p> +<p> +“Hurt yourself, Bert?” asked his father, +looking up from his task of throwing the +gleams of a flashlight in among the parts of +the automobile motor. +</p> +<p> +“No, sir,” Bert answered. “I just sat down +sudden, that’s all. But what was that noise, +Daddy? Is it——” +</p> +<p> +As if finding fault because the Bobbsey twins +had come to Cedar Camp, once more the warning +call came. +</p> +<p> +“There it goes again!” exclaimed Nan. +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie shrank closer to their +mother, and even Nan seemed a little afraid, +but Mr. Bobbsey only laughed. +</p> +<p> +“That’s a hoot owl—or a screech owl, I +don’t know which,” he said. “Anyhow, it’s +only a bird with feathers and big, staring eyes. +And, very likely, it’s looking down at us now +and wondering what we’re doing in his woods.” +</p> +<p> +“Is the owl looking at us now?” asked +Freddie, climbing away from his mother and +venturing to the door of the car. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span> +</p> +<p> +“Very likely,” his father said. “But the +chances are you can’t see it. Owls keep pretty +well hidden when there’s any daylight left.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, the light is fast fading,” said Mrs. +Bobbsey. “It’s getting dark very fast, Dick. +And unless we get to camp soon—well, you +know what may happen,” she said to her husband. +“Do you think you can get the motor +to going?” +</p> +<p> +“I think so,” he answered. “Bert, please +come here and hold the light for me.” +</p> +<p> +Glad to be of help to his father, Bert arose +from the ground, to which he had slipped when +the sudden noise of the owl startled him, and +went to hold the flash lamp. As he sent the +beam moving about, in order to direct it just +where his father wished it, there was a whirr +and a flutter in the almost leafless branches +of the trees overhead, and Flossie cried: +</p> +<p> +“There it is!” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, that’s Mr. Owl,” laughed her father. +“He came up to look at us, but he doesn’t like +our bright light, because it hurts his eyes. So +he flew away. Now come on, Bert, and we’ll +get the motor to running again. They’ll be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span> +anxious at Cedar Camp if we don’t get there +soon.” +</p> +<p> +“Do they expect us?” asked Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, surely,” said her father. “Hold the +light steady, Bert.” +</p> +<p> +The Bobbsey twin lad did as requested, and +after a little examination, his father exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“I see what the trouble is—a loose wire on +a spark plug! That’s easily fixed. We’ll be +traveling on again in a few minutes.” +</p> +<p> +And so they were. Once the wire was fastened +in place, the automobile could go again. +Bert and his father got back in, there was +a chugging and throb of the motor, and off +they went through the woods, the two headlights +gleaming along the dark road in the +midst of the trees. +</p> +<p> +“I wish we could have arrived by daylight,” +said Mr. Bobbsey, as he carefully steered the +car. “Cedar Camp looks ever so much better +then.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad to get here at all—so we don’t +have to stay out in the woods all night,” said +Mrs. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“It would be fun to be out in the woods all +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +night—if owls didn’t bite you—wouldn’t it, +Flossie?” asked Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I guess maybe,” answered the little +girl. “But I’d rather be in our camp an’ have +something to eat.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess I would, too,” agreed Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Well, here we are, then. Cedar Camp!” +suddenly cried Mr. Bobbsey, and, almost before +the twins knew it, the car had turned from the +dense woods and was in a clearing, or place +where many trees were chopped down. +</p> +<p> +Around the clearing were many log cabins, +and inside some of them, and outside others, +lanterns were glowing, so the place was quite +light, compared to the darkness of the forest. +</p> +<p> +“Cedar Camp!” cried Bert. “Is this it?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” his father answered. “Here we are—a +little late, but better late than never! Now +to find our cabin.” +</p> +<p> +He guided the car into the midst of the +clearing, and the children could see the various +cabin doors opening and men and women looking +out. +</p> +<p> +“That you, Mr. Bobbsey?” a voice called. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, Jim Denton,” was the answer. “We’re +here!” +</p> +<p> +“Thought maybe you’d given up and +wouldn’t get here until to-morrow,” the voice +went on. +</p> +<p> +As the car stopped the Bobbsey twins saw a +tall, lanky man, wearing rough clothes, but +whose face had a kind smile and whose blue +eyes looked laughingly at them. He stood at +the side of the car, peering in. +</p> +<p> +“We did have a little trouble,” said Mr. +Bobbsey. “And one of your owls seemed to +think we hadn’t any right in the woods. But +here we are!” +</p> +<p> +“One of the owls, eh?” laughed Jim Denton, +the foreman of the Christmas tree and +lumber camp. “Well, they sure are queer +birds! Make an outlandish racket, sometimes. +But come on in. Your place is all ready for +you, and Mrs. Baxter has had supper ready +for some time.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s good!” exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. +“The children are half starved, I fancy.” +</p> +<p> +“Run your car over to the shed,” said the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span> +foreman to Mr. Bobbsey. “It’ll be safe there +if it snows.” +</p> +<p> +“Had any snow up here yet?” asked the +father of the twins. +</p> +<p> +“Not yet, but it may come any day. I heard +you had a little down your way.” +</p> +<p> +“But it didn’t last very long,” Freddie chimed +in. “We didn’t have much coasting at all!” +</p> +<p> +“You didn’t, eh?” laughed Jim, as he lifted +out Flossie and Freddie, Bert and Nan being +too big for this attention. “Well, when we +do get snow up here we generally get a lot, and +it may come any time. But the longer it holds +off the better we can get out lumber and Christmas +trees.” +</p> +<p> +“What about my Christmas trees?” asked +Mr. Bobbsey. “That’s what I came up about.” +</p> +<p> +“It is queer about those trees,” said the foreman, +as he helped Mrs. Bobbsey out. “We +sent a lot off from here, but they must be stuck +somewhere on the railroad down below. However, +if they’re lost we can cut more. There’s +plenty in the woods.” +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bobbsey and the children waited until +Mr. Bobbsey had put the car under a shed, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span> +then, when he joined them, the family, led by +the foreman, walked toward the largest cabin +in the clearing. This was to be the home of +the Bobbseys while they were at Cedar Camp. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I am glad to see you folks!” exclaimed +Mrs. Baxter, who was to do the cooking +and help Mrs. Bobbsey during the stay in +camp. “I began to be afraid that something +had happened.” +</p> +<p> +“A wire came loose,” said Freddie. “But +daddy soon fixed it. And we heard an owl +hoot. Do you like owls?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, not specially,” answered Mrs. Baxter, +with a laugh. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t, either,” said Flossie. +</p> +<p> +The Bobbsey twins looked about the cabin +that was to be their home for a time. It was +a large one, and had been used by a former +foreman with a large family. There were +several bedrooms and it had many of the comforts +of life, even though it stood in the North +Woods. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Baxter was the wife of one of the men +employed in cutting down trees, and she had +agreed to cook for the Bobbseys during their +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +stay. She and her husband lived in one of +the smaller cabins, and her grown daughter +would cook for Mr. Baxter while his wife was +with the Bobbseys. +</p> +<p> +“Now get your things off and sit right up +to the table,” cried Mrs. Baxter. “The supper’s +sort of spoiled, keeping so long.” +</p> +<p> +“I fancy the twins are hungry enough to +eat almost anything,” said their mother. “I +know I am!” +</p> +<p> +In spite of what Mrs. Baxter said, the supper +proved to be very good indeed, and Flossie +and Freddie passed their plates back so often +to be filled again that their father said: +</p> +<p> +“My goodness! there won’t be anything left +for breakfast.” +</p> +<p> +“Won’t there, Mother?” asked Freddie anxiously, +pausing with his fork half way to his +mouth. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes! Of course! Your father’s only +joking!” she said, with a laugh. “But don’t +eat too much.” +</p> +<p> +“I want just a little more,” begged Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Can we go out and look at the camp after +supper?” Bert wanted to know. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +</p> +<p> +“You can’t see much by lantern light,” his +father told him. “You’ll have plenty of +chances to-morrow and the next few days.” +</p> +<p> +Bert found it too dark out of doors when he +took a look after leaving the table, and decided +to wait until morning. +</p> +<p> +The cabin was warm and cosy, and the Bobbsey +twins thought they had never come to a +more delightful place than Cedar Camp. They +sat and talked a little while after the meal, +and then, when Flossie and Freddie began to +show signs of being sleepy, their mother said +it was time for them to go to bed. Bert and +Nan soon followed. +</p> +<p> +It seemed to be the middle of the night when +Flossie, awakened from a sound sleep, heard +a great noise and loud shouting outside the log +cabin. +</p> +<p> +“Mother! Mother! What’s that?” she +whispered. +</p> +<p> +“Only the lumbermen going to work,” Mrs. +Bobbsey answered. +</p> +<p> +“Do they go to work in the night?” Flossie +wanted to know. +</p> +<p> +“It’s almost morning—the sun will soon be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span> +up,” her mother told the little girl. “Keep +quiet and don’t awaken Freddie.” +</p> +<p> +Flossie turned over and closed her eyes, +thinking it strange that men should have to +get up and go to work in the night. It was +dark, and the stars were shining, as she could +see by a glimpse through her window. +</p> +<p> +“I guess maybe they’re like Santa Claus,” +thought Flossie. “They have to go out to +cut Christmas trees in the dark, same as St. +Nicholas comes to our house in the dark on +Christmas Eve.” +</p> +<p> +Content with this thought, the little girl +fell asleep, not to awaken again until it was +broad daylight. She found that all were up +save Freddie and herself, but the youngest +Bobbsey twins soon joined the others at the +breakfast table. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, goodie!” cried Freddie, when he understood +that Mrs. Baxter was baking buckwheat +cakes and had maple syrup to pour over +them. “That’s what I like!” +</p> +<p> +“He can’t like ’em all, can he, Mother?” +cried Flossie. “I can have some pancakes, can’t +I?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +</p> +<p> +“Hush! There’ll be plenty for all of you!” +said Mrs. Bobbsey. “What will Mrs. Baxter +think?” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll think they’re good and hungry; and that +is what I like to see when I’m baking cakes,” +laughed the good-natured cook. She was almost +as nice as Dinah, Freddie whispered to +Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“An’ if she has a birthday we—we’ll give +her something,” whispered Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” agreed Freddie, holding out his plate +for another cake. +</p> +<p> +After breakfast Mrs. Bobbsey took the children +for a walk in the woods around the camp, +while Mr. Bobbsey went to talk with some of +his lumbermen about the missing Christmas +trees. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t go too far away,” he called to his +wife. +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” she asked. +</p> +<p> +“Because the woods here are rather wild, +and you and the children might get lost. There +aren’t many trails, paths, or roads. Keep +close to camp.” +</p> +<p> +“I will,” she promised. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span> +</p> +<p> +It was wonderful and beautiful in the North +Woods, even though winter was at hand. Most +of the birds had gone, and about the only +trees that had any leaves on were the oaks. +An oak tree holds many of its leaves all winter, +the old ones being pushed off in the spring +as the new ones come on. But there were so +many spruce, pine, hemlock, and cedar trees +growing all about—trees which remain green +from one year to the other—that the woods +were not as bare and dreary as are most forests. +Cedar Camp was indeed a green Christmas +camp, and a most lovely place. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll have lots of fun here!” cried Freddie, +running to the edge of a little hill. +</p> +<p> +“Lots of fun!” agreed Flossie. “We’ll——” +and then she stopped suddenly, for Freddie did +a queer thing—or at least a queer thing happened +to the little fellow. His feet seemed to +slide out from under him, and down the hill +he went, almost as though sliding on the ice! +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look! Look!” cried Flossie. “What +made him do that?” +</p> +<p> +“I slid! I slid! Oh, I had a slide! I’m +going to slide it again!” cried Freddie, jumping up +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span> +and scrambling to the top of the hill +again. “Come on, Flossie!” +</p> +<p> +“What makes him slide, Mother?” asked +Flossie, as she saw her little brother go down +the hill standing up, just as he and his small +sister had often done on a snowy, icy slope. +</p> +<p> +“It’s the pine needles,” said Mrs. Bobbsey. +“The ground is covered with the long, brown, +smooth pine needles, and they make a slippery +carpet. You may slide on them. If you fall +you won’t be hurt.” +</p> +<p> +Soon the two smaller Bobbsey twins were +having great fun sliding down the slippery pine-needle-covered +hill, and Bert and Nan also took +their turns. +</p> +<p> +But after two or three slides Bert found +something on the ground that made him exclaim +in delight and run to his mother to show +her. +</p> +<p> +“Look!” he cried. “A chestnut! Are there +chestnuts in these woods?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I did hear your father say something +about them,” Mrs. Bobbsey replied. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, let’s hunt for some!” cried Nan. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll help!” added Flossie and Freddie, deserting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> +the pine-needle slide for the joys of +nutting. +</p> +<p> +But though the twins looked in all directions +they found only a few scattered chestnuts. +</p> +<p> +“The squirrels have picked up most of them,” +said Jim Denton, coming along a little later. +“But there’s a chestnut grove not far away, +up Pine Brook, and there ought to be plenty +left if you don’t wait too long.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Mother! may Nan and I go chestnutting?” +asked Bert. “I want to get a lot!” +</p> +<p> +“Will it be safe for them?” asked Mrs. +Bobbsey of the foreman. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes,” answered Jim. “It isn’t more +than a mile and the trail is plain. I’ll tell ’em +how to go and show ’em the way.” +</p> +<p> +And so, the next morning, Bert and Nan +started off on a chestnut party, little dreaming +of the strange things that were to happen to +them and the other Bobbsey twins. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX—SAWMILL FUN</h2> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie had teased to be allowed +to go nutting with Bert and Nan, especially +when the smaller Bobbsey twins learned +that their brother and sister were to take a +lunch and perhaps stay all the rest of the day +in the woods. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I want to go nutting!” cried Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“So do I!” wailed Freddie. “An’ I want +to eat my dinner under the Christmas trees!” +</p> +<p> +“We can’t have any fun if they come with +us,” objected Bert, in a whisper to his mother. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll take them some other time,” added +Nan. “They’d get tired and want to come +back before we found any nuts, Mother.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” said Mrs. Bobbsey, “perhaps they +would. You can take them some other time, +I suppose.” Then, as she knew Flossie and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span> +Freddie would be disappointed, Mrs. Bobbsey +called to them: +</p> +<p> +“Come, little twins, we’ll go down to the +sawmill and see the big logs sawed up into +boards. Maybe you can ride on the log carriers.” +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie knew what this was, +and to them there was no better fun. Also +they liked to see the big, jagged-tooth saw +whizzing about and cutting its way through the +logs with such a queer, ripping, buzzing sound. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, if we can go to the sawmill that will +be ’most as much fun as nutting,” agreed +Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Will you bring us some nuts?” asked +Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” promised Nan. “And next time we +go we’ll take you.” +</p> +<p> +So the nutting party was arranged. Taking +lunch was a sort of afterthought on the part of +Bert. +</p> +<p> +“What’ll we do if we get hungry?” he had +asked his mother. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll take something to eat in our pockets,” +Nan had said. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to eat mine outside—sitting on +a log!” laughed Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Smarty!” laughed Nan. “I’ll catch you +next time!” +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Baxter put up for the children a good +lunch, more than enough for two meals, Mrs. +Bobbsey said. +</p> +<p> +“But we’ll get awful hungry in the woods,” +Bert remarked. “And we don’t want to have +to eat the nuts we get.” +</p> +<p> +True to his promise, Jim Denton, the foreman, +showed the older Bobbsey twins where to +take the path that led up along Pine Brook and +deeper into the forest about Cedar Camp, where +the chestnut trees were growing. +</p> +<p> +“Good-bye!” called Flossie and Freddie, as +they stood on the porch of the log cabin, waving +to Bert and Nan, who started off with their +lunch to be gone the rest of the day on the +nutting party. +</p> +<p> +“Good-bye,” echoed the older Bobbsey twins, +and then they were soon lost to sight in the +turn of the path along Pine Brook, which led +deeper into the North Woods. +</p> +<p> +“Now for some sawmill fun!” called Mrs. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> +Bobbsey. “We’ll go down and see the little +saw chew up the big logs.” +</p> +<p> +In addition to sending to market logs for +telegraph poles and the masts of ships, Mr. +Bobbsey’s men in the North Woods also sawed +up trees into planks and boards which were +sold in the neighborhood. Besides this there +was the Christmas tree trade, but that only +took place at this time of year, around the +holidays. +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie were too small to think +much about the missing Christmas trees, which +their father had come to camp to see about. +All they were anxious for was to have some +fun, and going to the sawmill was part of this. +</p> +<p> +The sawmill was farther down on Pine +Brook, where that stream widened out and was +dammed up to make a waterfall. Part of the +waterfall went through a flume, or sort of +wooden canal, and the water, falling down a +shaft, or wooden tunnel standing on end, +turned a turbine wheel. +</p> +<p> +A turbine wheel is quite different from the +ordinary mill wheel you may have seen. In +fact you can not see the turbine wheel at all, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +for it is closed in at the bottom of the water +shaft. It is small, but very powerful, and it +was this kind of wheel which turned the saw +machinery in Mr. Bobbsey’s Cedar Camp mill. +</p> +<p> +Before the smaller Bobbsey twins reached +the mill they could hear the ripping, tearing +sound of the saw as it cut its way through the +logs, slicing them into boards as your mother +slices the loaf of bread with the carving knife. +</p> +<p> +“Good morning, Mrs. Bobbsey—also little +twins!” called Foreman Tom Case, who had +charge of the sawmill. “Did you come to buy +some lumber this morning?” +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie knew Tom Case, for he +had, at one time, worked in the lumberyard +of their father in Lakeport, so it was meeting +an old friend to see him here. +</p> +<p> +“Do you want one or two million feet this +morning, Flossie?” asked the jolly sawman. +“And will you take it with you or have it sent?” +</p> +<p> +“I guess we’ll just take some sawdust for +Flossie’s doll,” laughed Freddie. This was a +standing joke between the sawmill man and the +little twins. Tom Case was always trying to +sell a big lot of lumber to Flossie and Freddie, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> +and they always said all they wanted was a +little sawdust. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, shucks! you aren’t any kind of customers +to have around a lumber camp,” laughed +Mr. Case. “Where’s the rest of the family?” +he asked Mrs. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“Bert and Nan have gone nutting,” their +mother answered. “So we came down here to +see what was going on.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’re sawing up a lot of logs to-day,” +said the head man of the mill. “Here, you +twins sit right down on this soft place, and +you can watch everything.” Mr. Case spread +a horse blanket on top of a pile of soft, fragrant +sawdust, and on this Mrs. Bobbsey and +the smaller twins sat down. +</p> +<p> +They saw the lumber men float logs down +into the pond at one side of the dam and near +the flume through which the water dropped +to turn the turbine wheel. Into these logs a +big iron hook was driven. The hook was fast +to a chain, and the chain was wound around +a drum, or big roller. +</p> +<p> +When a man threw over a lever that started +the machinery, the drum turned, the chain was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +wound up and the log was pulled from the +water up on land and ready to be put on the +moving carriage which fed it into the teeth +of the saw. +</p> +<p> +“Could we ride on the logs?” cried Flossie, +as she saw them pulled, or “snaked,” as it is +called, out of the pond and up on shore. +</p> +<p> +“Yes! Yes!” chimed in Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, no,” his mother answered. “You +might roll off, and if the log turned over, and +got on your legs, it would break them. It +wouldn’t be safe—see there!” +</p> +<p> +One of the lumbermen had jumped on top +of a log that was being pulled along by the +chain. For a time he kept his balance, and +was given a ride. But as Mrs. Bobbsey cried +out, the log struck a stone and turned over, +and if the lumberman had not jumped he would +have been thrown. +</p> +<p> +He leaped to one side with a laugh, and ran +into the mill. +</p> +<p> +“That’s what might have happened to you, +only you might not have gotten off so easily,” +said Mrs. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“I’d like to ride,” sighed Flossie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +</p> +<p> +“So would I!” added Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Let ’em ride on the log carriage. That’s +safe if they don’t get too near the saw, and +you can ride with them and watch,” said Tom +Case. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” agreed Mrs. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +The log carriage was a movable platform +of framework, on which the logs rested as they +were sawed into boards. The logs were rolled +up on the carriage by men, when the machinery +had been stopped and the big buzz saw was no +longer whirring around. Once a log was fastened +in place, Tom Case pulled a lever, and +the turbine wheel began to turn the saw, and +also move forward the carriage. The carriage, +or framework carrying the log, moved slowly +forward by means of cogwheels underneath, +so that it fed the log into the teeth of the saw +which ripped off wide planks and boards. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bobbsey and the little twins sat on the +far end of the carriage, and began to ride forward +with it. Of course if they had stayed on +too long they would have been carried up +against the dangerous saw just as the log was. +But before this would happen they could step +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span> +off, as the carriage moved slowly, like an automobile +just before it stops. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, this is fun!” cried Flossie, as she +dragged her feet through little piles of sawdust. +</p> +<p> +“’Most as much fun as nutting!” agreed +Freddie. “I’m going to be a lumber-saw man +when I grow up.” +</p> +<p> +“Then you aren’t going to be a fireman?” +asked his mother, for that had been Freddie’s +great ambition. +</p> +<p> +“Nope; I’m going to have a sawmill,” he +decided. But as he changed his mind about +every other day concerning what he intended +to do when he grew up, his mother did not +take him seriously this time. +</p> +<p> +She and the twins rode on the log carriage +until the big tree length was almost sawed +through, and then she helped Flossie and Freddie +off. With a final zip and clatter the board +was sawed off the side of the log. Then the +carriage would move back its full length, the +log would be shifted over to enable the saw to +cut a new place, and the work would start +over again. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span> +</p> +<p> +The log carriage moved backward, when no +sawing was being done, much faster than it +moved forward. And the little Bobbsey twins +liked this backward ride very much, as they +went fairly whizzing along. +</p> +<p> +“All aboard!” called Tom Case, as he prepared +to send the carriage on its return trip. +Mrs. Bobbsey and Flossie and Freddie took +their places. +</p> +<p> +There was a rattle and a rumble, and back +they shot, the twins shouting in glee and kicking +aside the piles of sawdust. Thus they had +great fun at the sawmill, and they did not +want to come away when the noon whistle blew +and it was time for lunch. For there was a +steam engine in Cedar Camp, as well as the +turbine wheel, and this steam engine had a +whistle which the engineer blew to tell the men +to stop for dinner. +</p> +<p> +After dinner Mrs. Bobbsey went to lie down, +and after cautioning Flossie and Freddie not +to go near the sawmill without her, she left +the smaller twins to amuse themselves near +the cabin. Their father was out with some +of his men looking after Christmas trees, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> +as Bert and Nan had gone nutting, Flossie and +Freddie looked about to find some amusement +of their own. +</p> +<p> +“Let’s play sawmill!” proposed Freddie, as +he and Flossie wandered down near Pine +Brook, where it ran over the dam, making a +waterfall. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” agreed the little girl. “But +what’ll we have for a saw?” +</p> +<p> +Freddie looked around and noticed a wheelbarrow +not far off. +</p> +<p> +“That’ll do,” he said. “We’ll turn it downside +up, and I’ll turn the wheel for a saw and +you can hold sticks against it and make believe +they’re being sawed up.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” agreed Flossie. “That’ll make +a fine saw.” +</p> +<p> +They went over to the wheelbarrow, and +then a new idea came to Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Flossie!” he cried, “you sit in it and +I’ll wheel you down to the edge of the brook. +We’ll have our sawmill there, and make believe +to snake logs out of the water like Mr. Case +did.” +</p> +<p> +This suited Flossie exactly, and soon she had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span> +taken her place in the wheelbarrow. Freddie +grasped the handles, but his sister was almost +more of a load than he had bargained for. +Still he was a sturdy little chap, and he managed +to stagger on, wheeling Flossie toward +the brook. +</p> +<p> +There was a smooth place on a little knoll +near the brook where Freddie intended to set +up his wheelbarrow sawmill. Toward this +place he wheeled Flossie, and all might have +gone well had it not been for the fact that the +ground was covered with those slippery pine +needles. +</p> +<p> +Freddie managed to wheel his sister up the +slope, and he was just going to set the barrow +down and tell Flossie to get out so he could +turn it over and make a saw of it, when his +feet slipped. He lurched forward, gave the +wheelbarrow a push, and, an instant later, it +turned over, and Flossie, sliding on the slippery, +brown pine needles, began to go down +the slope and straight toward the brook, just +back of the dam. +</p> +<p> +Freddie, too, sat down hard and suddenly, +but though the breath was knocked out of him +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span> +for a moment, he managed to pick himself up +and to cry: +</p> +<p> +“Mother! Mother! Come quick! Flossie’s +fallen into the brook and she’ll be carried over +the dam!” +</p> +<p> +And, as he called, into the water at the foot +of the pine needle hill splashed poor Flossie +Bobbsey! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X—A SUDDEN STORM</h2> +<p> +While Flossie and Freddie were having +such fun at the real sawmill, and before Freddie +had, by accident, upset Flossie down the pine +needle bank into the brook above the mill dam, +Bert and Nan were trudging along through the +woods on their way to the chestnut grove, about +which Jim Denton had told them. +</p> +<p> +“Aren’t you glad we came to Cedar Camp, +Bert?” asked Nan. +</p> +<p> +“I sure am!” answered her brother. “It’s +like having two vacations in the same year. +We had fun out West, and we’ll have fun +here.” +</p> +<p> +“We can have a party when we get back, +and roast the chestnuts,” suggested Nan. +</p> +<p> +“I hope we get a lot,” went on Bert, kicking +aside the pine cones and dried leaves. “We’ll +want some for Flossie and Freddie.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and for daddy and mother,” added +Nan. “They like chestnuts, too.” +</p> +<p> +The day had started as a bright and sunny +one, though it was colder up here in the North +Woods than down in Lakeport. But Bert and +Nan were warmly dressed, and they were so +accustomed to being out of doors that a little +cold did not bother them. +</p> +<p> +But though the sun had shone brightly when +they had started on their nutting trip, they had +not gone far before the sky began to be overcast +with clouds. Not that Bert and Nan +minded this. They were too busy looking for +chestnut trees and thinking what a good time +they were having to mind the weather. +</p> +<p> +For it was fun just to walk through the +woods and breathe the sweet, spicy odors of +the pine and cedar trees. The ground underfoot +was thickly carpeted with dried leaves and +pine needles, so that the footfalls of the older +Bobbsey twins made scarcely any sound as +they walked along. +</p> +<p> +It was so quiet that the children heard many +sounds in the forest which was all about them. +They were following a path that led along Pine +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span> +Brook, and Jim Denton had said that if they +kept to this path they would come after about +a mile’s walk to a grove of chestnut trees. +</p> +<p> +“And if you don’t find any nuts there, keep +on a little farther,” the lumberman had said. +“The squirrels and chipmunks can’t have taken +all of them.” +</p> +<p> +So interested were Bert and Nan that they +paid little attention to the weather. In fact, +they could scarcely see the sky at times. This +was because the cedar and other trees were so +thick overhead. +</p> +<p> +As they were going along the path where +the pine needles made a thicker carpet than +usual, Bert, who was in the lead, came to a +sudden stop. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the matter?” asked Nan, shifting +from one hand to the other the bundle of lunch +she carried. +</p> +<p> +“I thought I heard something,” said Bert +in a low voice. +</p> +<p> +A moment later there was no doubt of this, +for both he and his sister heard a grunting +noise in the bushes, and then they heard the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span> +rustle of dried leaves and the snapping of +twigs. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Bert! Maybe it’s a bear!” cried Nan, +clinging to her brother. +</p> +<p> +“A—a bear!” gasped Bert. He hardly knew +what else to say. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look!” gasped Nan. She pointed toward +a bush, and, coming out from under it, +was a little animal, somewhat larger than a +rabbit, but with different kind of fur, small +ears, and with a tail that seemed to have rings +of fur around it. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a little bear!” gasped Nan. “Oh, Bert! +we’d better run back to camp before the big +bear comes.” +</p> +<p> +Bert looked at the furry animal, whose bright +eyes peered at the Bobbsey twins, and then +Nan’s brother laughed. +</p> +<p> +“I know what it is!” he said. “It’s a raccoon. +I can tell by the rings on its tail.” +</p> +<p> +“A raccoon!” gasped Nan. “Will it—will +it hurt us?” +</p> +<p> +“No,” answered Bert, and this was borne +out a moment later, for with a snorting grunt +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span> +the raccoon turned and scurried away into the +bushes. +</p> +<p> +“There!” said Bert. “He’s gone!” +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad of it,” returned Nan, with a sigh +of relief. “I don’t like raccoons when I’m chestnutting.” +</p> +<p> +“They’re nice!” declared Bert. “I wish I +could see him again.” +</p> +<p> +But the raccoon did not show itself, probably +being just as much frightened at having +seen the Bobbsey twins as Nan was at getting +a glimpse of the ring-tailed creature. +</p> +<p> +Over this little fright, the Bobbsey twins +walked on again, and soon they had reached +the grove that the foreman had told them +about. +</p> +<p> +“This must be the place—there are chestnut +trees here,” said Bert. His father had taught +him how to tell the more common sorts of trees +by means of their leaves and bark. +</p> +<p> +“Well, let’s look for chestnuts,” proposed +Nan. +</p> +<p> +With sticks the children began poking +among the leaves, turning them over, for the +little brown nuts, when the frost has popped +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> +them out of their prickly shells, have a great +trick of hiding under the leaves. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’ve found one!” cried Nan. “Two—three! +Oh, Bert, I’ve found three!” +</p> +<p> +She held out her hand with three shining +brown nuts in it. +</p> +<p> +“Ought to be a lot more than that here,” +said Bert, still poking away among the leaves. +“There’s lots of trees and fresh burrs here. I +guess the squirrels and chipmunks have been +here too.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’ve found two more! I’m beating +you!” laughed Nan, as she picked up more +nuts. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve found one, anyhow, and it’s a big one,” +cried Bert, as he picked up his first. “But +there aren’t as many as I thought there would +be.” +</p> +<p> +The children continued to pick up a few nuts +at a time, but there were not so many scattered +over the ground as the lumberman had +led them to expect. +</p> +<p> +“There’s the chap who’s been taking the +nuts!” suddenly cried Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Who?” asked Nan, looking up after stooping to pick +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span> +two of the brown prizes from a +bursted burr. +</p> +<p> +“That squirrel!” cried Bert, pointing to one +of the big-tailed gray fellows, sitting on a tree +and looking down at the Bobbsey twins. “He +and the chipmunks can soon clean up a chestnut +grove.” +</p> +<p> +Just then a red squirrel, one of the most +noisy chatterers of the woods, caught sight of +the children and began to “scold” them. Oh, +what a racket he made, his thin tail jerking +from side to side as he gave his shrill cries! +Bert and Nan laughed at him. +</p> +<p> +“He’s had his share of nuts,” said Bert, “and +he’s mad ’cause we’re taking some, I guess. +But we aren’t getting as many as we’d like.” +</p> +<p> +“No,” agreed Nan. “Maybe if we go on +a little farther we’ll find more.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll try,” agreed Bert and, almost before +they knew it, the two children had wandered +some distance from the place where Mr. Denton +had told them to stop. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look! There’s a pile of nuts here!” +cried Nan, reaching another grove of chestnut +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span> +trees. “The squirrels haven’t been here yet! +Goodie!” +</p> +<p> +This was evident, for it did not take long, +poking among the dried leaves, to show that +the chestnuts were quite thick on the ground. +In a short time Bert and Nan had half filled +the salt bags they had brought with them to +hold their spoils of the woods. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, this is great!” cried Nan, straightening +up after four or five minutes of picking nuts +from the ground. +</p> +<p> +“A little more of this and we’ll have enough,” +said her brother. +</p> +<p> +But just then Nan looked up at the sky, +which she could see through the overhead +trees, and what she saw in the heavens made +her exclaim: +</p> +<p> +“Bert, I believe it’s going to storm! Look +at the clouds! And it’s getting ever so much +colder, too!” +</p> +<p> +Indeed there was a chill in the air that had +not been present when the Bobbsey twins started +out that morning. +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ll go back in a few minutes,” Bert +suggested. But a little while after he had said +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> +this, there was a quick darkening of the air, +the wind began to blow, and, so suddenly as +to startle the children, they found themselves +enveloped in such a blinding, driving squall of +snow that they could not see ten feet on either +side! +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Bert!” cried Nan. “It’s a blizzard! +Oh, shall we ever get back to Cedar Camp and +to mother?” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI—OLD MRS. BIMBY</h2> +<p> +“Pooh!” exclaimed Bert Bobbsey, as he ran +through the half-blinding snowstorm toward +Nan. “This isn’t anything! It’s only what +they call a squall. I s’pose they call it that +because the wind howls, or squalls, like a baby. +Anyhow, I’m not afraid! It’s fun, I think!” +</p> +<p> +By this time he had reached Nan’s side, the +two having been separated when the sudden +storm burst. And now that Nan saw Bert +near her and noticed that he had his bag of +lunch, as she had hers, she took heart and said: +</p> +<p> +“Well, maybe it won’t be so bad if we can +find a place to stay, and can eat our dinner.” +</p> +<p> +“Of course we can!” cried Bert. “There’s +lots of places to stay in these woods. We can +find a hollow tree! I’ll look for one!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, don’t!” cried Nan, as Bert moved away +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span> +from her. “I don’t want to go into a hollow +tree. There might be owls in ’em!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, that’s so,” admitted Bert. “I’m not +afraid of owls,” he said quickly, “but of course +their claws could get tangled in your hair. I’ll +look for another place—or I can make a lean-to. +That’s what the lumbermen and hunters +do.” +</p> +<p> +“I think it would be just as easy to get under +one of the big, green Christmas trees,” suggested +Nan. “Look, hardly any snow falls +under them.” +</p> +<p> +She pointed to a large cedar tree near them, +and, as you may have noticed if you were ever +in the woods where these trees grow, scarcely +any snow drifts under their low-hanging +branches. +</p> +<p> +“That would be a regular tent for us,” said +Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” agreed Bert, peering through the +storm at the tree toward which his sister +pointed. “We could get under one of those. +But I think maybe we’d better not stand still. +Let’s walk on.” +</p> +<p> +“But toward home!” suggested Nan. “We +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span> +oughtn’t to go any farther gathering nuts, +Bert.” +</p> +<p> +“No, I guess not,” he agreed. “Anyhow, we +have quite a lot. We’ll start back for Cedar +Camp. And when we get hungry we’ll stop +under a Christmas tree and eat. I’m beginning +to feel hungry now,” and Bert felt in his overcoat +pocket to make sure that the lunch, which +he had put there, was still safe. It was, he was +glad to find, and Nan had hers. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, we’ll eat in a little while,” she said. +“But we’d better start back to camp.” +</p> +<p> +So the two older Bobbsey twins started off in +the blinding snowstorm, little realizing that +they were going directly away from camp instead +of toward it. The wind whipped the +snow into their faces, so that they could see +only a little way in advance. And as they +were in a strange woods, with only a small path +leading back to camp, it is no wonder they became +lost. +</p> +<p> +But we must not forget that we have left +Flossie and Freddie, the smaller Bobbsey twins, +in trouble. In playing sawmill Freddie had +tipped Flossie out of the wheelbarrow, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> +the little girl had rolled down the slippery +pine-needle hill into the stream just above the +dam. +</p> +<p> +“Come quick! Come quick!” Freddie had +cried. “Flossie’ll go over the waterfall! Oh, +hurry, somebody!” +</p> +<p> +He knew enough about waterfalls to understand +that they were dangerous; that once a +boat or a person got into the current above the +falls they would be pulled along, and cast over, +to drop on the rocks below. +</p> +<p> +Poor Flossie was too frightened to cry. Besides, +as she fell in her head went under the +water, and you can’t call out when that happens. +Flossie could only gurgle. +</p> +<p> +Luckily, however, there were several lumbermen +on the bank of the stream, floating the +logs down to be snaked out by the hook and +chain, and sawed into boards. One of these +men, Jake Peterson, was nearest to Flossie +when the little girl tumbled into the stream. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll get you out!” cried Mr. Peterson. +</p> +<p> +He dropped the big iron-pointed pole with +which he was pushing logs and ran toward the +little girl, while Freddie, trying to do all he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span> +could, slid down the slippery hill, as it was a +quicker way down than by running. +</p> +<p> +Into the water with his big rubber boots +waded Mr. Peterson, and it was not a quarter +of a minute after Flossie had fallen in before +she was lifted out. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! Oh!” she managed to gasp and gurgle, +as she caught her breath, after swallowing some +of the ice-cold water. “Oh, am I dr-dr-drowned?” +</p> +<p> +“I should say not!” answered Mr. Peterson. +“You’ll be all right. I’ll take you to mother.” +</p> +<p> +By this time Mrs. Bobbsey and Mrs. Baxter +had rushed out of the log cabin, and Tom +Case came from his sawmill. Several other +lumbermen, hearing Freddie’s excited cries, +came running up, but there was nothing for +them to do, as Flossie was already rescued. +</p> +<p> +“What has happened?” cried Mrs. Bobbsey, +as she saw her little girl, dripping wet, in the +arms of Mr. Peterson. +</p> +<p> +“She fell in,” explained the lumberman. +“She wasn’t in more than a few seconds, +though. All she needs is dry clothes!” +</p> +<p> +“I—I dumped her in!” sobbed Freddie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span> +“But I didn’t mean to. We were playin’ sawmill +with the wheelbarrow, and I gave Flossie +a ride, an’ I slipped on the pine needles, and +she rolled down the hill.” +</p> +<p> +“Never mind, dear! You didn’t mean to,” +answered his mother, soothingly. “We must +get Flossie to bed and keep her warm so she +won’t take cold.” +</p> +<p> +With Mrs. Baxter’s help, this was soon done, +and in a short time after the accident Flossie +was sitting up in a warm bed, sipping hot lemonade +and eating crackers, while Freddie sat +near her, doing the same. +</p> +<p> +Unless Flossie caught cold there would be +no serious results from the accident. But Mrs. +Bobbsey used it as a lesson for Freddie, telling +him always to be careful when on a pine-needle-covered +hill, near the water especially. +</p> +<p> +Flossie was enjoying her importance now, +and she was begging her mother to tell her a +story, in which request Freddie joined, when +Mrs. Bobbsey, looking out of the window, was +surprised to see how dark the clouds had become +all of a sudden. +</p> +<p> +“I believe we are going to have a snowstorm,” she said. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span> +And a few minutes later +the snow came down so thick and fast that the +lumbermen had to stop work, because they +could not see where to drive the horses, nor +to guide the logs down the stream to the mill. +</p> +<p> +“My, what a storm!” exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey, +as she went to the window to look out. +“A regular blizzard!” +</p> +<p> +“We can have fun coasting down hill!” +laughed Freddie. “And Flossie can be out +to-morrow, can’t she, Mother?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I think so,” answered Mrs. Bobbsey, +hardly thinking of what she was saying. “I +hope Bert and Nan started back from the chestnut +grove before this storm broke,” she said. +“If they are out in this it will be dreadful! I +must see if daddy has come back,” she added, +for her husband had gone to see about the +missing Christmas trees. “If Bert and Nan +are out in this storm they will lose their way, +I’m sure.” +</p> +<p> +And this is just what Bert and Nan did. +Clutching their bundles of lunch, and with +their bags of chestnuts in their hands, the two +older Bobbsey twins were struggling onward +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +through the storm. They were warmly dressed, +and it was not as cold as weather they had +often been out in before. But they had seldom +been out in a worse storm. +</p> +<p> +“Hadn’t we—maybe we’d better stop and +rest and eat something, Bert,” suggested Nan, +after a while. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe we had,” he agreed, half out of +breath because it was hard work walking +uphill and against the wind. And almost before +they knew it the children were going up +a hill, though they did not remember having +come down one on their trip to the chestnut +grove. +</p> +<p> +They found a sheltered place under a big +cedar tree, and, crawling beneath its protecting +branches, they sat on the bare ground, where +there was, as yet, no snow. The white flakes +swirled and drifted all about them, but the +thick branches of the tree, growing low down, +made a place like a green tent. +</p> +<p> +“It’s nice in here,” said Bert, as he opened +his bundle of lunch. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, but we ought to be at home,” said +Nan. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’ll go home as soon as we eat a little,” +said her brother. +</p> +<p> +But after they had each eaten a sandwich +and some cookies, and Bert had cracked a few +chestnuts between his teeth and had found them +rather too cold and raw to be good, the twins +decided to go on. +</p> +<p> +Out into the storm they went, away from +the shelter of the friendly tree. The storm +was worse, if anything, and, without knowing +it, Bert and Nan had become completely turned +around. Every step they took carried them +farther and farther away from their home +camp. And they had journeyed quite a distance +from the cabin before finding any chestnuts. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Bert!” Nan exclaimed after a while, +half sobbing, “I can’t go a step farther. The +snow is so thick, and it’s so hard to walk in. +And the wind blows it in my face, and I’m +cold! I can’t go another step!” +</p> +<p> +“That’s too bad!” Bert exclaimed. “Maybe +we’re almost back to camp, Nan.” +</p> +<p> +“It doesn’t look so,” his sister answered, trying +to peer about through the swirling flakes. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +</p> +<p> +“Wait a minute!” suddenly cried Bert, as +there came a lull in the blast of wind. “I think +I see something—a cabin or a house.” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe it’s our cabin,” suggested Nan, +“though I don’t remember any of the trees +around here. There aren’t any cut down here +as there are in camp.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I see something, anyhow,” and Bert +pointed to the left, off through the driving +flakes. “Let’s go there, Nan.” +</p> +<p> +Through the storm the children struggled, +hand in hand. They reached a log cabin—a +lonely log cabin it was, standing all by itself +in the midst of a little clearing in the woods. +</p> +<p> +“This isn’t our camp, Bert!” said Nan. +</p> +<p> +“No,” the boy admitted. “But somebody +lives here. I see smoke coming from the chimney. +I’m going to knock.” +</p> +<p> +With chilled fingers Bert pounded on the +cabin door. +</p> +<p> +“Who’s there?” asked a woman’s voice +above the racket of the storm. +</p> +<p> +“Two of the Bobbsey twins!” answered Nan, +not stopping to think that everyone might not +know her and her brother by this name. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span> +</p> +<p> +“Please let us in!” begged Bert. “We’re +from Cedar Camp! Who are you?” +</p> +<p> +“I’m Mrs. Bimby,” was the answer, but +neither Bert nor Nan recognized the name. A +moment later the cabin door was opened, and +an old woman confronted them. She looked +at the two children for a moment; then, “Did +you bring any news of Jim?” she asked. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII—MR. BOBBSEY IS WORRIED</h2> +<p> +Bert and Nan Bobbsey stood on the step +of the log cabin, while Mrs. Bimby, the old +woman, held open the door. The snow blew +swirling in around her, and a wave of grateful +warmth seemed to rush out as if to wrap itself +around the cold twins. For a moment they +stood there, and Bert was just beginning to +wonder if the old woman was going to shut +the door in the faces of his sister and himself. +</p> +<p> +“Did you bring any news of Jim?” asked +old Mrs. Bimby. +</p> +<p> +“Jim?” repeated Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Do you mean Jim Denton, the foreman at +Cedar Camp?” asked Nan. +</p> +<p> +“No, child! I mean my Jim—Jim Bimby. +He went off to town just before this awful +storm. But land sakes! here I am talking and +keeping you out in the cold. Come in!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> +</p> +<p> +It was cold. Bert and Nan were beginning +to feel that now, for the storm was growing +worse, and it was now late afternoon. The sun +was beginning to go down, though of course +it could not be seen on account of the snow +and clouds. The Bobbsey twins had wandered +farther and longer than they had thought. But +at last they had found a place of shelter. +</p> +<p> +“It’s just like me to keep you standing there +while I talk,” said Mrs. Bimby. “I’m sorry. +But I’m so worried about Jim that I reckon I +don’t know what I’m doing. Come in and +get warm, and I’ll give you something to eat.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got something to eat, thank you,” +said Nan. “But we would like to get warm,” +and she followed Bert inside the log cabin, as +Mrs. Bimby stepped aside to make room for +them to enter. +</p> +<p> +“Got something to eat, have you?” questioned +the old woman. “Well, you’re lucky, +that’s all I’ve got to say. I’ve only a little, but +I expect Jim back any minute with more, +though a dollar don’t buy an awful lot these +days.” +</p> +<p> +“Does Jim live here?” asked Bert, as he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span> +walked over to a stove, in which a fire of wood +was burning, sending out a grateful heat. +</p> +<p> +“Of course he lives here,” said Mrs. Bimby. +“He’s my husband. He’s a logger—a lumberman.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, maybe he works for my father!” exclaimed +Nan. “Mr. Bobbsey, you know. He +owns part of Cedar Camp.” +</p> +<p> +“No, I don’t know him,” said Mrs. Bimby, +“though I’ve heard of Cedar Camp. They got +a lot of Christmas trees out of there.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what we came up about,” explained +Bert. “Some Christmas trees my father bought +to sell didn’t come to Lakeport, and he came +up here to see about them. We came with +him—and my mother and the other twins.” +</p> +<p> +“Good land! are there more of you?” asked +Mrs. Bimby in surprise. “You two are twins, +for a fact. But——” +</p> +<p> +“There’s Flossie and Freddie,” interrupted +Nan. “We left them back in camp while we +went after chestnuts.” +</p> +<p> +“We got some, too,” added Bert. “But we +sort of got lost in the storm. Do you s’pose +your husband could take us back to Cedar +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span> +Camp?” he asked Mrs. Bimby. “My father +will pay him,” he said, quickly, as he saw Mrs. +Bimby shaking her head. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe Mr. Bimby works at the sawmill,” +suggested Nan. +</p> +<p> +“No,” said the old woman, “Jim is a logger +and wood cutter, but he doesn’t work at Cedar +Camp. That’s too far off for him to go to and +get back from.” +</p> +<p> +“Too far off!” echoed Nan, and she began +to have a funny feeling, as she told Bert afterward. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” resumed Mrs. Bimby. “Cedar Camp +is away over on the other side of the hills. +You’re a long way from home. You must have +taken the wrong road in the storm.” +</p> +<p> +“I—I guess we did,” admitted Bert. “But +couldn’t your husband take us back?” +</p> +<p> +Again Mrs. Bimby shook her head. +</p> +<p> +“Jim, my husband, isn’t home,” she said. +“He went over to town just before the storm +to get us something to eat. But now I don’t +see how he’s going to get back,” and she went +to a window to look out at the storm. +</p> +<p> +It was getting much worse, as Bert and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span> +Nan could see. The wind howled around the +corners of the log cabin of Jim Bimby, the +logger, and the blast whistled down the chimney, +even blowing sparks out around the door +of the wood-burning stove. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, it’s a bad storm,” went on the old +woman. “I wish Jim was back, and with some +victuals to eat. When you twins knocked I +thought it was Jim. I wish he’d come back, +but he’s an old man, and he may fall down in +the snow and not be able to get up. He isn’t +as strong as he used to be. I’m certainly worried +about Jim!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, maybe he’ll come along all right,” said +Nan, trying to be helpful and comforting. +</p> +<p> +“If he doesn’t pretty soon it’ll be night, and +in all this storm he never can find his way after +dark. But you children take your things off +and sit up and have a cup of tea with me. I’ve +got some tea and condensed milk left, anyhow.” +</p> +<p> +“We can’t take tea unless it’s very weak,” +said Nan, remembering her mother’s rule in +this respect. +</p> +<p> +“All right, dearie, I’ll make it weak for you +twins, though I like it strong myself,” said +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span> +Mrs. Bimby. “My, what a storm! <em>What</em> a +storm!” and she drew her shawl more closely +around her shoulders as the wind howled down +the chimney. +</p> +<p> +Bert and Nan took off their warm things, +laying their packages of lunch and the bags of +chestnuts on the table. Nan saw the old woman +go to a closet, and the glimpse the Bobbsey +girl had of the shelves showed her that they +contained only a little food. +</p> +<p> +“Bert and I have some of our lunch left,” +said Nan. +</p> +<p> +“And you can have some, if you want to,” +went on Bert. “We put up a pretty good +lunch, and there’s more’n half of it left.” +</p> +<p> +“Bless your hearts, my dears,” said Mrs. +Bimby. “I wouldn’t take your lunch. You’ll +need it yourselves. I’ve a little victuals left +in the house, though if my Jim doesn’t get +back soon there won’t be much for to-morrow. +My, what a storm! What a storm!” +</p> +<p> +The small log cabin seemed to shake and +tremble in the wind, as though it would blow +away. And the snow was now coming down +so thickly that Bert and Nan could see only +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span> +a short distance out of the window. There +was little to see, anyhow, save trees and bushes, +and these were fast becoming covered with +snow. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bimby busied herself about the stove, +putting the kettle on so she could make tea, and +Bert and Nan watched her. The Bobbsey twins +were wondering what would happen, how they +could get home, and whether or not their +father and mother would worry. Nan looked +about the cabin. She did not see any beds, but +a steep flight of stairs, leading up to what +seemed to be a second story, might provide +bedrooms, Nan thought. The cabin was clean +and neat, and she was glad of that. +</p> +<p> +“I do hope Jim comes,” murmured Mrs. +Bimby, as she poured the boiling water on +the dry tea leaves in the pot. “I do hope he +isn’t storm-bound!” +</p> +<p> +Bert and Nan hoped the same thing, for, +somehow, Bert thought if Mr. Bimby came +along he would take the twins back to Cedar +Camp. +</p> +<p> +“Now sit up, dearies, and have some weak +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span> +tea, and I’ll take mine strong. I need it for +my nerves,” said the old woman. +</p> +<p> +And while Bert and Nan had thus found +shelter from what turned out to be one of the +worst storms ever remembered in the country +around Cedar Camp, the other Bobbsey twins, +Flossie and Freddie, were safe at home with +their mother. Flossie was now cozy and warm +after her dip into the water. +</p> +<p> +“There’s your father!” exclaimed Mrs. +Bobbsey, as she heard someone stamping off +the snow at the front door. “I hope he has +Bert and Nan with him.” +</p> +<p> +But when Mr. Bobbsey came in alone and +heard that the older twins had not come back +from their nutting trip, a worried look came +over his face. +</p> +<p> +“Not back yet!” he exclaimed. “Why, it’s +getting dark and the storm is growing worse! +I must start out after them with some of the +lumbermen. They must be lost!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII—OLD JIM</h2> +<p> +“Don’t you think Bert and Nan will be +along in a little while?” asked Mrs. Bobbsey +of her husband, as she crossed the big front +room in the log cabin to meet him. +</p> +<p> +“Be in <em>soon</em>!” he exclaimed. “Why, they’ve +been gone too long now, and——” +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bobbsey, not letting Flossie and Freddie +see her, made a motion with her hands +toward her husband. Then he understood that +his wife did not want him to frighten the +smaller twins by letting it become known how +worried he was about Bert and Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Oh—yes,” said Mr. Bobbsey, as he understood +his wife’s idea. “Oh, yes, Bert and Nan +will be along soon now.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll be glad!” exclaimed Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“So will I,” added Flossie, from her place +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +on one of the bunks in a bedroom opening out +of the living room. “I want some chestnuts.” +</p> +<p> +“Hello, little Fat Fairy! what’s the matter +with you?” asked her father, noticing for the +first time that Flossie was in bed. “Sick?” he +asked. +</p> +<p> +“I just fell in the water,” Flossie explained. +</p> +<p> +“I dumped her in, but I didn’t mean to,” +Freddie said. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! Up to some of your fireman tricks, +were you?” laughed Mr. Bobbsey, for he saw, +by a glance at his wife, that the small twins +were now in no danger. +</p> +<p> +“No, Daddy, I wasn’t playing fireman,” +Freddie answered, though that was one of his +favorite pastimes. “We were going to make a +sawmill.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh!” exclaimed Mr. Bobbsey. “Well, +whatever you do, keep away from the big buzz +saw,” he warned. “And now,” he went on in +a low voice to his wife, so Freddie and Flossie +would not hear, “we must do something about +Bert and Nan.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” she agreed. “I’m worried about +them, but I didn’t want Flossie and Freddie +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +to know. Oh, to think of their being out in +this storm!” +</p> +<p> +“It is pretty bad,” her husband admitted. +“I was caught in it, and hurried back. I didn’t +think the children would go far away.” +</p> +<p> +“Nor I,” said Mrs. Bobbsey. “I suppose +they didn’t find chestnuts where they expected +to, and wandered on. Are there any wild animals +in the woods?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, no, none to speak of,” her husband +said slowly. “You don’t need to worry about +that. But I’ll get Jim Denton, and some of +the men, and we’ll start right out after Bert +and Nan.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish I could come with you!” exclaimed +his wife, as anxious and worried as was Mr. +Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll have to stay here with Flossie and +Freddie,” he said. “I’ll soon find Bert and +Nan and bring them back.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope so,” murmured his wife, but as she +glanced out of the window and saw how dark +it was getting and how fast the snow still came +down and heard how the wind howled, it is +no wonder the mother of the older Bobbsey +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span> +twins was worried. So was Mr. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll go right away and get Jim and some of +the men, and we’ll start out on the search,” +said Mr. Bobbsey, having warmed himself at +the stove. “We must not wait!” +</p> +<p> +“No,” agreed Mrs. Bobbsey. “I’ll stay and +amuse Flossie and Freddie.” +</p> +<p> +The smaller Bobbsey twins, of course, did +not worry because Bert and Nan had not yet +come home. Flossie and Freddie were having +too much fun playing a little game on the foot +of Flossie’s bed. Mrs. Baxter, the housekeeper, +had started the game for the children by bringing +in some funny wooden blocks her husband +had cut out on one of the long winter evenings +that were sometimes so dreary in Cedar Camp. +</p> +<p> +The blocks could be fitted together to make +a house, a bridge, a boat and many other play +objects, and Flossie and Freddie enjoyed playing +with them, for which their mother was +glad. She really was so worried that she could +not very well talk to them or tell them stories. +</p> +<p> +Telling his wife to keep up her courage and +not to worry too much, Mr. Bobbsey went out +into the storm again. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> +</p> +<p> +“Where is daddy going?” asked Flossie, hearing +the door shut. +</p> +<p> +“He’s going to bring back Bert and Nan—and +the chestnuts,” said Mrs. Bobbsey, quickly. +She knew the smaller twins would think more +of the chestnuts than anything else, just at +present. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I like chestnuts!” cried Freddie. “I’m +going to boast ’em an’ roil ’em!” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“Listen to him, Mother!” laughed Flossie. +“He said ‘boast an’ roil,’ an’ he meant roast +an’ boil ’em, didn’t he?” +</p> +<p> +“I think he did,” said Mrs. Bobbsey, trying +not to let the small twins see how worried she +was. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Freddie Bobbsey, look what you did!” +suddenly cried Flossie. “You knocked over +my steamboat!” For Freddie had toppled over +the pile of blocks that Flossie had erected on +the foot of her bed. +</p> +<p> +“Never mind. He didn’t mean to,” said +Mrs. Bobbsey. “You can make another boat, +Flossie.” +</p> +<p> +“An’ I’ll help,” offered Freddie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> +</p> +<p> +Thus the two smaller Bobbsey twins amused +themselves, with little thought of Bert and Nan +except, perhaps, to wonder when they would +come home with the chestnuts. +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile Mr. Bobbsey hurried through +the fast-gathering darkness and the storm to +the cabin of Jim Denton. Like the other men +in the Christmas tree and lumber camp, the +foreman had stopped work when the storm +came with such blinding snow and a wind that +turned bitter cold toward night. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” cried Jim Denton, when +Mr. Bobbsey called at his cabin. “Bert and +Nan not back from chestnutting yet? Why, I +s’posed they were back hours ago!” +</p> +<p> +“So did I, and I wish they were,” said Mr. +Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, shucks now! don’t worry,” said the +jolly foreman. “We’ll find ’em all right. +We’ll start right out.” +</p> +<p> +He put on his big boots and warm coat and +went with Mr. Bobbsey to the cabins of some +of the lumbermen. Soon a searching party +was organized, and away they started through +the storm along the path that earlier in the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +day Bert and Nan had taken to go to the chestnut +grove. +</p> +<p> +“They took their lunch with them,” said Mr. +Bobbsey, “so they wouldn’t be hungry until +now. But they may be lost or have fallen into +some hole and be half snowed over.” +</p> +<p> +“Or they may have found some logger’s or +hunter’s cabin, and have gone in,” said Jim +Denton. “There are plenty of cabins scattered +through these woods.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope they have found shelter,” said Mr. +Bobbsey anxiously. +</p> +<p> +On through the storm went the father of +the Bobbsey twins and his lumbermen searchers. +They stopped now and then and shouted, +but no answers came back. +</p> +<p> +They had been out about an hour, and had +gone more than a mile along the path that it +was supposed Bert and Nan had taken, when +one of the men called: +</p> +<p> +“Wait a minute! I think I heard someone +call.” +</p> +<p> +They all stopped and listened. Above the +blowing of the wind and the swishing of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +fast-falling snowflakes, a faint and far-off voice +could be heard. +</p> +<p> +“Help! Help!” it called. +</p> +<p> +“There they are!” shouted one of the lumbermen. +</p> +<p> +“That doesn’t sound like either Bert or Nan,” +said Mr. Bobbsey. “But it may be someone +who started to bring them back to camp and +he, too, became lost.” +</p> +<p> +They all listened again, and once more came +the call, but still faint and far away. +</p> +<p> +“Help! Help!” +</p> +<p> +“It’s over here!” cried Jim Denton. “Over +to the right!” +</p> +<p> +Through the storm and darkness the rescue +party hurried, sending out calls to tell that +they were on the way. Now and again they +heard the cry in answer, and it sounded nearer +now. +</p> +<p> +At last Mr. Bobbsey saw a dark figure huddled +in a heap near a pile of snow, which had +drifted around a large rock. +</p> +<p> +“Here’s someone!” cried Mr. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +A moment later he and the lumbermen were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +standing over the figure of a man, partly buried +in the snow. +</p> +<p> +“Why, it’s Jim! Old Jim Bimby!” exclaimed +Jim Denton. “I know him. He lives several +miles from here. He must have been lost in +the storm, too. Jim! Jim!” he cried. “What +you doing here?” +</p> +<p> +“I—I started to town for victuals,” said old +Jim Bimby, in faint tones. “The storm was +too much for me. I was about giving up.” +</p> +<p> +“We heard you call,” said Tom Case. +</p> +<p> +“Did you see anything of two small children?” +eagerly asked Mr. Bobbsey. “Twins, +a boy and a girl! Did you see them?” +</p> +<p> +Anxiously he bent over to catch the old +logger’s answer. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV—SNOWED IN</h2> +<p> +Having been out in the cold and storm so +long, Jim Bimby seemed to have become half +frozen. He did not appear to understand what +Mr. Bobbsey asked him. The old logger staggered +to his feet, helped by some of the men +from Cedar Camp, and looked about him. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the matter?” asked Old Jim in a +faint voice. “Did something happen? I remember +startin’ off to get—to get something +to eat for my wife and me. Then I fell down, +tired out, I guess.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess you did!” exclaimed Tom Case. +“And if we hadn’t found you, you’d have been +done for. We must get you to shelter.” +</p> +<p> +“Take him around behind this big pine tree +a minute,” suggested Jim Denton. “He’ll be +out of the wind there, and we can give him a +drink of the hot tea we brought along.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span> +</p> +<p> +Some hot tea, mixed with milk, had been put +in a thermos bottle and taken with the party +to have ready for Nan and Bert, should the +Bobbsey twins be found. Now this hot drink +would do for poor old Jim Bimby. +</p> +<p> +Some of the men managed to light lanterns +they carried, though it was hard work on account +of the wind and snow, and the whole +party, including the rescued man, went to the +side of the big pine tree, which kept off some +of the storm. +</p> +<p> +“There! I feel better,” said Old Jim, as he +swallowed the warm drink. +</p> +<p> +“And now can you tell us whether or not +you saw my two children, Nan and Bert—the +Bobbsey twins?” again asked their father anxiously. +</p> +<p> +Old Jim shook his head. +</p> +<p> +“No,” he answered. “I didn’t see any children. +I came straight from my cabin, over +the hill trail, to go to the village to get some +food. The cupboard is almost bare at my +house. I didn’t think it was goin’ to storm, and +I was all taken aback when it did. I kept on, +but I must have lost my way.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> +</p> +<p> +“Guess you did,” said Mr. Peterson. “And +you’re not likely to get back on it in this storm, +either.” +</p> +<p> +“What!” cried Old Jim. “You mean to say +I can’t keep on to the store and take some food +back to my wife?” +</p> +<p> +“Not in this storm!” said Tom Case. +“You’re miles from the store now, and more +miles from your cabin. You’d best come to +Cedar Camp with us, and in the morning, when +the storm is over, you can go on again. Your +wife has enough food to last until morning, +hasn’t she?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I guess so,” answered Mr. Bimby. +</p> +<p> +“But what has become of Bert and Nan?” +asked Mr. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“Now look here, Mr. Bobbsey,” said Tom +Case, “don’t go to worrying about those children. +They’re all right. Bert and Nan are +smart, and when they saw this storm coming +on they went to some shelter, you can depend +on that. They’d know better than to try to +make their way back to camp.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, perhaps they would,” admitted the +father of the missing twins. “And perhaps, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +when we get back to camp, we’ll find them +there. Some logger or hunter may have found +them and taken them to our cabin.” +</p> +<p> +“Of course,” agreed Mr. Peterson. +</p> +<p> +By this time “Old Jim,” as he was called, to +distinguish him from Jim Denton, the lumber +foreman, was feeling much better. He was +still weak, and he leaned on the arm of one of +the lumbermen as they turned back. The +storm was still fierce, and it was now night, +but lanterns gave light enough to see the way +through the forest. +</p> +<p> +Had it not been that the lumber and Christmas +tree men knew their way through the +woods, the party might never have reached +Cedar Camp. As it was they lost the trail +once, and had hard work to find it again. But +finally they plunged through several drifts of +snow that had formed, and broke out into the +clearing around the sawmill. +</p> +<p> +“Did you find them?” cried Mrs. Bobbsey, +when her husband came to the cabin, knocking +the snow off his feet. +</p> +<p> +“No,” he answered, and he tried to make +his voice as cheerful as possible. “We didn’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> +find them, but they’re all right. They were +probably taken in by some hunter or logger.” +</p> +<p> +Even as he said this Mr. Bobbsey was disappointed +that Bert and Nan had not been +brought back to camp during his absence, for +he had half hoped that he would find them +there on his own return. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I do hope they’re all right!” said Mrs. +Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“Of course they are!” her husband told her. +“They’ll be here in the morning.” +</p> +<p> +“With chestnuts?” asked Flossie, who, with +Freddie, had been awakened from an early +evening sleep by the return of their father. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, they’ll bring chestnuts,” replied Mr. +Bobbsey, trying to smile, though it was hard +work, for he was really very much worried, +as was his wife. +</p> +<p> +However, they did not let Flossie and Freddie +know this. And as Mr. Bobbsey ate the +warm supper which Mrs. Baxter set out for +him, he told about the finding of Mr. Bimby, +who had been taken to the cabin of Tom Case, +there to spend the night. +</p> +<p> +“Can we see him?” cried Flossie, who did +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> +not seem any the worse for having fallen into +the water. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe he can tell us a story about a real +bear,” added Freddie, for he had been rather +disappointed, since coming to Cedar Camp, because +no one could tell him where to find a +bear. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe he can,” said his father. “You shall +see Old Jim, as the boys call him, in the morning.” +</p> +<p> +Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey did not pass a very +happy night. They were much worried about +the missing Nan and Bert, and though he tried +to sleep, after Flossie and Freddie had gone +to Slumberland, Mr. Bobbsey found it hard +work. So did his wife. +</p> +<p> +More than once during the night, as they +awakened after fitful naps and heard the wind +howling around the cabin and the snow rattling +against the windows, one or the other would +say: +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I hope Bert and Nan are all right!” +</p> +<p> +And the other would say: +</p> +<p> +“I hope so!” +</p> +<p> +Morning came at last, but it was not such a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span> +morning as all in Cedar Camp had hoped for. +They had expected the storm to be over, so +that a searching party could again set out to +find Bert and Nan. +</p> +<p> +But instead of the storm being over, it was +even worse than the night before. A regular +blizzard had set in, the snow coming out of +the north on the wings of a cold wind. Great +drifts were piled high here and there through +the camp clearing, and when Freddie and Flossie +looked from the window they could hardly +see the sawmill. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, oh!” squealed Freddie. “Look, Flossie! +Just look!” +</p> +<p> +“We’re snowed in!” cried Flossie. “Oh, +what fun we’ll have!” +</p> +<p> +“It’s just like Snow Lodge!” added Freddie, +remembering a time spent there, when several +adventurous happenings had taken place. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I’m afraid we are snowed in,” said +Mr. Bobbsey, with an anxious look out of the +window. “But I hope it will not last long. +Well, here come Tom Case and Old Jim. I +must see what they want,” and he went to the +door to let them in. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile the snow came down steadily, and +as Flossie had said, that part of the Bobbsey +family at Cedar Camp was fairly snowed in. +As for the other members of the family, Bert +and Nan, we must now try to find out what had +happened to them. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV—A BARE CUPBOARD</h2> +<p> +Having finished drinking the weak tea +which Mrs. Bimby brewed for them, eating +with it some of the lunch they had brought +along, Bert and Nan sat in the lonely cabin in +the woods wondering what would happen next. +There was no other cabin or house near them, +and as they heard the wind howl down the +chimney and moan around the corners, and +heard the rattle of hard snow against the window, +the older Bobbsey twins were glad they +had found this shelter. +</p> +<p> +“Do you think we’ll be able to start back +soon, Mrs. Bimby?” asked Nan, as she helped +the old woman clear the tea things off the +table. +</p> +<p> +“Back where, dearie?” +</p> +<p> +“Back to our camp.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, not to-night, surely,” said Mrs. Bimby. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +“You won’t dare venture out in this storm. +It’s getting worse, and black night is coming +on. You just stay here with me. I can make +up beds for you, and I’ll be glad to have you, +since my Jim isn’t coming back, I reckon.” +</p> +<p> +“What do you think has become of him?” +asked Bert, who was interested in looking at a +gun that hung over the mantel. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I reckon he got to the village, but +found the storm so bad he didn’t dare to start +back,” answered Mrs. Bimby. +</p> +<p> +Of course she did not know what had happened +to Old Jim any more than Jim knew that +the older Bobbsey twins were in his own cabin. +</p> +<p> +“But Jim’ll be here in the morning,” said +his wife. “And I do hope he’ll bring in something +to eat. If he doesn’t——” +</p> +<p> +She did not finish what she started to say, +and Nan asked: +</p> +<p> +“Will you starve, Mrs. Bimby?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, not exactly <em>starve</em>, for I s’pose a body +could keep alive on tea and condensed milk +for a while. But we’ll be pretty hungry. +There’ll be three to feed instead of just one,” +the old woman went on. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’ve some food left,” said Bert. “And +we can cook our chestnuts. We got quite a +few before the storm came.” +</p> +<p> +“Bless your hearts, dearies!” exclaimed Mrs. +Bimby. “You may be able to eat chestnuts, +but <em>my</em> old teeth are too poor for that. But +I dare say we’ll get along somehow, even if +the cupboard is almost bare. Don’t you want +to go to bed?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it’s too early,” objected Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Have you any games we could play?” asked +Nan. +</p> +<p> +She and her brother were in the habit of +playing simple games at home before going to +bed, and it seemed natural to do it now. After +the first shock of feeling that they were lost in +the snow storm had passed, the Bobbsey twins +were quite content. They felt that their father +and mother must realize that they were safe. +</p> +<p> +“Games, dearie?” asked Mrs. Bimby. “Well, +seems to me there’s some dominoes around +somewhere, and I did see a checker board the +other day. Jim used to play ’em when the +loggers came in. I’ll see if I can dig ’em out.” +</p> +<p> +She rummaged through an old chest and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span> +brought to light a box of battered dominoes. +But as several were missing it was hard to play +a good game with them. As for the checkers, +the board was there but the pieces, or men, +were not to be found. +</p> +<p> +“But you can take kernels of corn,” said +Mrs. Bimby. “I’ve often seen my Jim do +that.” +</p> +<p> +“Checker men have to be of different color,” +said Nan, “and corn is all one color, isn’t it?” +</p> +<p> +“There are red ears,” suggested Bert. +“Don’t you remember we saw some when we +were in the country?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes!” exclaimed Nan. +</p> +<p> +“That’s what I was going to say,” remarked +Mrs. Bimby. “I can give you some yellow +kernels and some red ones, and you can play +checkers if you like.” +</p> +<p> +This suited Nan and Bert, and though it was +hard to make “kings” by placing one grain of +corn on top of another, they managed to go +on with the game, using pins to fasten two red +or two yellow kernels one on top of the other +when the king row was reached. +</p> +<p> +Grains of corn or some other cereal, or perhaps colored +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span> +stones, were, very likely, the first +sort of “men” used in the ancient game of +checkers, and Bert and Nan got along very +well in this way. Mrs. Bimby kept stoking the +fire, putting on stick after stick of wood as it +burned away, and the cabin was kept warm and +cozy. +</p> +<p> +Outside the storm raged, the wind blew, and +the snow came pelting down. But at times the +older Bobbsey twins were so interested in their +checker game that they hardly heard the sounds +outside the log cabin. +</p> +<p> +At last Mrs. Bimby, with a look at the clock, +said: +</p> +<p> +“It’s after nine, dearies; hadn’t you better +go to bed? My Jim won’t come to-night, that’s +sure, and I don’t believe any of your folks +will come for you.” +</p> +<p> +“They don’t know where we are,” said Nan. +</p> +<p> +“No more they do, dearie. Well, I’ll show +you where you’re to sleep. I’m glad I’ve got +covers enough for two extra beds.” +</p> +<p> +There were three rooms in the second story +of the log cabin. Two of the rooms were small, +each one containing a little single cot. The +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +other room was larger, and had a bed in it. +Mrs. Bimby slept there, and she gave Bert and +Nan each one of the smaller rooms. There +was a window in each of the bedrooms, and +being above the warm downstairs room, where +a hot fire had been blazing all evening, the +sleeping chambers were more comfortable than +one would have supposed. +</p> +<p> +Bert and Nan were so sleepy that they did +not lie awake long after getting to bed. As +there were no pajamas for Bert and no night-gown +for Nan, the children slept in their underclothes, +taking off only their shoes and +outer garments. +</p> +<p> +In spite of the fact that he fell asleep soon +after going to bed, because he was tired from +the day’s tramp after chestnuts, Bert was +awakened in the middle of the night by hearing +Nan call: +</p> +<p> +“Mother, please give me a drink!” +</p> +<p> +It was a request Bert had often heard his +sister make before, and now he realized that +she was either half awake, and did not remember +where she was, or else she was talking in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span> +her sleep. He raised up on his elbow and listened. +Again Nan said: +</p> +<p> +“I want a drink!” +</p> +<p> +Bert knew how hard it was to try to go to +sleep when thirsty, so he got up and, having +noticed on coming to bed the evening before +a pail of water on a chair in the upper hall, +he brought Nan a dipper full. Mrs. Bimby had +left a lantern burning, so it was not dark in +the cabin. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Bert! I dreamed I was back home,” +said Nan, as she took the drink her brother +handed her. “Thank you!” +</p> +<p> +“Welcome,” he said, struggling to keep his +sleepy eyes open. +</p> +<p> +“Is it still snowing?” asked Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Hard,” answered Bert, looking out of the +window, though, truth to tell, he could see +nothing, it was so pitch dark outside. But he +could hear the rattle of snow against the glass. +</p> +<p> +“I hope it stops by morning,” sighed Nan. +</p> +<p> +“So do I—long enough for us to get back +to camp, anyhow,” added Bert. +</p> +<p> +He got himself a drink and went back to +bed, there to sleep soundly until morning, when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> +Mrs. Bimby called him and Nan to get up. +</p> +<p> +“Come, dearies,” said the kind old woman. +“We’ll have breakfast, such as it is.” +</p> +<p> +For a few moments after awakening Bert +and Nan could not quite remember where they +were. Bert afterward said that he hoped there +would be hot buckwheat cakes for breakfast, +with maple syrup, such as they had had in the +cabin where Mrs. Baxter acted as cook. But +there was no such appetizing smell as that of +pancakes coming up from Mrs. Bimby’s +kitchen. +</p> +<p> +“I’m sorry I haven’t any more to offer you,” +she said to the children, as she set before them +some more weak tea and a few pieces of bread +and butter. “If my Jim had come back we’d +have had enough to eat. But as it is, I’m +afraid you’ll go hungry soon.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll eat what’s left of our lunch,” said +Bert. +</p> +<p> +“And cook some chestnuts,” added Nan. +“We’ll pretend we’ve been shipwrecked. Were +you ever shipwrecked, Mrs. Bimby?” Nan +asked, as cheerfully as she could. +</p> +<p> +“No, dearie, but I’ve had the rheumatiz, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span> +I reckon that’s ’most as bad. But let’s eat +what we’ve got and we’ll hope for more before +the day is over.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s still snowing, isn’t it?” remarked Nan, +as she hungrily ate some of the dry food and +swallowed some of the weak, but warm, tea. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and it’s likely to keep up all day,” +said Mrs. Bimby. “It’ll be hip-deep by night, +and we’ll be completely snowed in. I declare, I +don’t know what we’ll do!” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe it’ll stop,” suggested Bert, trying +to look on the bright side. +</p> +<p> +“Or maybe it won’t be so bad but what we +can go out,” added Nan. “And if we get back +to camp we can send you something to eat by +one of the men in a sleigh, Mrs. Bimby.” +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t let you go out in this storm—not +for anything!” declared the kind old woman. +“The only safe place is this cabin when +it snows this way. You can’t starve to death +as quickly as you can freeze to death, that’s a +comfort. And we’ve got enough for one more +meal, anyhow.” +</p> +<p> +But when noon came, after a long morning, +during which the Bobbsey twins played more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span> +checker games with grains of corn, and when +almost all there was in the cupboard had been +eaten, Mrs. Bimby opened the doors, looked at +the bare shelves and said: +</p> +<p> +“I declare, I don’t know what we’re going to +do! Almost everything is gone!” +</p> +<p> +The cupboard, indeed, was nearly bare. +</p> +<p> +For some reason or other, Bert’s eyes rested +on the gun on the wall over the mantel. +</p> +<p> +“Is that gun loaded, Mrs. Bimby?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I reckon ’tis,” she answered. “Jim +always keeps it loaded, for he goes hunting +sometimes.” +</p> +<p> +“What after?” asked Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, squirrels and rabbits.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what I’m going to do, then!” cried +Bert. “If I could shoot some squirrels or rabbits +we’d have a potpie and we wouldn’t be +hungry. Will you please get that gun down +for me, Mrs. Bimby?” +</p> +<p> +She looked at Bert and smiled. +</p> +<p> +“You’re pretty small to handle a gun,” she +said. “But maybe you could fire it if I showed +you how. I’ve shot it more ’n once, and I +brought down a cawing crow last winter. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +Sometimes the rabbits come close up to our +cabin here. Wait till I take a look.” +</p> +<p> +She went to the window to peer out into the +storm, and Nan did likewise, while Bert continued +to gaze at the gun on the wall. It was +a shotgun, not very heavy, and he felt certain +he could aim it at a rabbit and pull the trigger. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bimby shook her head as she turned +away from her window. +</p> +<p> +“There’s no game here,” she said. “Guess +we’ll have to go without a potpie.” +</p> +<p> +But Nan suddenly uttered an exclamation. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I see one!” she cried. “I see a big +rabbit! Two of ’em! Oh, Bert, it’s a shame +to shoot the bunnies, but we can’t starve! Get +the gun!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI—BERT STARTS OUT</h2> +<p> +Just about the time that Bert was getting +ready to try for a rabbit potpie by firing the +gun from the door of Mrs. Bimby’s cabin, in +the other and larger cabin at Cedar Camp the +smaller Bobbsey twins were having a good +time. There was no danger there of starving, +for the cupboard was far from being bare. +</p> +<p> +But of course Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey were +worried because, after their long night of +worry, neither Bert nor Nan had come back, +and there was no news of them. +</p> +<p> +“But we’ll surely hear from them to-day,” +said Tom Case, as he came over through the +storm after breakfast to learn if Mr. Bobbsey +had any special plans. +</p> +<p> +“How’s Old Jim?” asked Mr. Bobbsey, as +the head of the sawmill workers came in out +of the storm, for it was still snowing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Jim’s all right,” was the answer. “But +he’s worrying about his wife not having any +food. I came over to say that if the storm lets +up a little maybe we’d better try to take something +to eat to the old lady. She’s all alone in +her cabin.” +</p> +<p> +Of course neither he nor Old Jim knew +that the two older Bobbsey twins were at that +very moment with Mrs. Bimby. +</p> +<p> +“All right, it would be a good idea,” said +Mr. Bobbsey. “And we must make another +search for Bert and Nan.” +</p> +<p> +“I have a sort of feeling that they’re safe,” +said Mr. Case. “And, really, it wouldn’t be +wise for you to start out in this storm to look +for them. I think it may moderate a little by +to-morrow.” +</p> +<p> +“Let us hope so!” sighed Mrs. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +“Can’t Old Jim come over and play with +us?” asked Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“We want to have some fun,” added +Freddie. +</p> +<p> +The two smaller twins had been as good as +possible, but they were not used to being cooped +up in the house, and there really was not much +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +to do in the cabin. No toys had been brought +along, for Mr. Bobbsey had not expected to +stay very long in looking after his Christmas +trees. And he certainly never counted on being +snowed in. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I’ll bring Old Jim over,” said Mr. +Case. “He’s pretty good at making things +with his pocket knife. Shouldn’t wonder but +what he could cut you out a doll, Flossie.” +</p> +<p> +“Can he make boats?” asked Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Sure he can!” said the sawmill foreman. +</p> +<p> +“Where you going to sail a boat in the snow, +Freddie Bobbsey?” asked Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“I—I’ll have him make me a snow-boat!” +the little fellow said. +</p> +<p> +“Pooh!” laughed Flossie. “There are ice-boats, +’cause we rode in one once, but there +aren’t any snow-boats, are there, Daddy?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, perhaps Old Jim can make one,” her +father said. “Bring him over, Tom. I want +to talk to him and find out where would be the +most likely place for Nan and Bert to have +found shelter.” +</p> +<p> +The old logger, who seemed to have gotten +over his exposure to the storm, came to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +Bobbsey cabin, and he somewhat relieved the +worries of Bert’s father and mother by saying +there were a number of cabins of loggers and +trappers scattered through the woods, and he +had an idea that Bert and his sister might have +reached one of these. +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ll start out and look for them as +soon as the storm lets up a little,” said Mr. +Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +Freddie and Flossie made great friends with +Old Jim. They took to him at once, and when +he cut out of a piece of wood a queer doll for +Flossie, and made for Freddie a thin wooden +wheel, which would turn around in the waves +of heat arising from the hot stove, the children +were delighted. +</p> +<p> +They climbed all over Old Jim, and laughed +and shouted as though they had no cares in the +world. And, as a matter of fact, they were not +old enough to worry about Bert and Nan. +They thought their older brother and sister +would come along sooner or later. +</p> +<p> +Slowly the day of storm passed, but with +no let-up in the falling snow. The wind, while +it did not blow as violently as at first, was high +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> +and cold, so that the little Bobbsey twins could +not go out. +</p> +<p> +And it was about the time that Flossie +and Freddie were having such fun with Old +Jim that, back in this same logger’s lonely +cabin, Bert and Nan were wondering whether +they would have anything to eat for supper. +</p> +<p> +As Nan had said, she did see two large rabbits +when she looked from the window. And +she called to her brother to get the gun from its +place over the mantel. +</p> +<p> +“Land sakes!” exclaimed Mrs. Bimby, +“there <em>are</em> two right in plain sight. Now Bert, +if you’re any kind of a shot, maybe we’ll have +rabbit stew for supper. Here, take the gun, +but be careful!” +</p> +<p> +Bert knew a little about firearms, and he was +not at all afraid as Mrs. Bimby put the shotgun +into his hands. Then she opened the door for +him, very carefully, so as not to frighten the +rabbits. +</p> +<p> +“They’re still there, right on top of the +snow!” called Nan, as she peered from the +window on her side of the cabin. “I’m not +going to watch you shoot them, Bert, though +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> +I am terribly hungry. And I’m going to hold +my hands over my ears so I won’t hear the +gun.” +</p> +<p> +Bert was quite excited, and did not pay much +attention to what his sister was saying, but +he was not so excited that he could not hold +the gun fairly steady. +</p> +<p> +“Hold it close against your shoulder, then +it won’t kick so hard,” Mrs. Bimby whispered +in his ear, as she helped him get the shotgun +in place, and pointed it for him out of the +open door. +</p> +<p> +The rabbits were in plain sight now, two +wild, gray bunnies, fat and plump. Bert took +sight over the little point on the end of the +gun. He held this sight as steadily as he +could in line with one of the rabbits. +</p> +<p> +“Better shoot quick!” whispered Mrs. Bimby. +“I think they see us and they’ll scoot away +in a minute!” +</p> +<p> +Bert gave a steady pull on the trigger, not a +sudden pull, which is not the right way to +shoot. A sudden pull spoils your aim. +</p> +<p> +“Bang!” went the shotgun. +</p> +<p> +“Oh!” screamed Nan, who, in spite of having held her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +hands over her ears, heard the report. +</p> +<p> +“I got one! I got one!” excitedly cried +Bert, as he saw one of the bunnies lying on +the snow. The other had scampered off. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, you did get one, child!” said Mrs. +Bimby, as she ran out into the storm and came +back with the game. “Now we shan’t starve. +I’ll make a potpie.” +</p> +<p> +This she did, stewing the rabbit with some +dumplings she made from a little flour she had +left in the bottom of the barrel. Bert and Nan +thought nothing had ever tasted so good as that +rabbit potpie. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll be quite a hunter when you grow +up,” said Mrs. Bimby, when the meal was over. +“You shot straight and true, Bert!” +</p> +<p> +“But you helped me,” said the Bobbsey boy. +“I couldn’t have aimed the gun straight if you +hadn’t helped me.” +</p> +<p> +“But I saw the rabbits, didn’t I?” asked +Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, dearie, you surely did,” said the kind +old woman. “Now we shan’t starve for a +couple of days, anyhow.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +</p> +<p> +“And then I can shoot more rabbits, or maybe +some squirrels,” Bert declared. +</p> +<p> +“I hope by that time the storm’ll be over,” +remarked Mrs. Bimby, “and that my Jim will +come back.” +</p> +<p> +“Will he take us home, or bring our father +here?” Nan questioned. +</p> +<p> +“I guess so,” Mrs. Bimby answered. +</p> +<p> +But as the snow kept up all the remainder +of that day, and as it was still storming hard +when night came, there did not seem much +chance of the two older Bobbsey twins being +rescued. +</p> +<p> +Again Bert and Nan spent the night in the +little rooms of the cabin, but they slept better +this time, Nan not even awakening for a drink +of water. And in the morning Bert looked +from a window and cried: +</p> +<p> +“Hurray! The snow’s stopping! I’m going +to start out and go back to camp!” +</p> +<p> +“You are?” asked Nan. “Are you going to +take me?” +</p> +<p> +“No,” said Bert. “You’d better stay here. +I’ll go to camp and send daddy back in a sled +for you. He can hitch a horse to one of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +lumber sleds now that the snow is stopping, +and he can ride you home. And if I find your +husband I’ll send him back with a lot of things +to eat,” he told Mrs. Bimby. +</p> +<p> +“I wish you would, dearie,” said the old +woman. “But are you really going to start +out, Bert?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes’m! My father and mother will be +worried about us. I can get to camp now, I’m +sure, as the storm is almost over.” +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bimby, who, though not very wise, +was kind, made him take a little lunch with +him, packing up some cold boiled chestnuts +and part of the cold rabbit meat. It was all +there was. +</p> +<p> +“But maybe I’ll get to camp before I have +to eat,” said Bert. “And I’ll send back help +to you.” +</p> +<p> +So Bert started out, Mrs. Bimby showing him +the direction he was to take. It was still +snowing a little, but he hoped it would soon +stop. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i003' id='i003'></a> +<img src="images/illus-164.jpg" alt="OLD JIM DELIGHTED THE TWINS." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>OLD JIM DELIGHTED THE TWINS.</span> +</div> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII—TRYING AGAIN</h2> +<p> +Though Flossie and Freddie had what they +called “good times” in the log cabin at Cedar +Camp, and though Old Jim played with them, +making boats and dolls of wood, still the small +Bobbsey twins wished for the time to come +when they might go out of doors. They also +began to wish for the return of Bert and Nan. +</p> +<p> +“When <em>will</em> they come, Mother?” Flossie +asked over and over again. +</p> +<p> +“And bring us chestnuts!” teased Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, they’ll come soon now,” Mrs. Bobbsey +said, as she looked out of the window at the +flakes of snow, still falling, and listened to the +whistle of the cold wind around the cabin. +</p> +<p> +And in her heart how very much Mrs. Bobbsey +wished that Bert and Nan would come back +soon! Mr. Bobbsey wished the same thing, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span> +and the only comfort the father and mother +had in those worrisome days was the thought +that their older twins <em>must</em> have found shelter +somewhere in the woods. +</p> +<p> +Old Jim declared that this was so, as, likewise, +did Tom Case and Jim Denton. But +it was still storming too much for another +searching party to set out and look for Nan +and Bert. Those who searched might themselves +become lost in the blizzard. For that +is what the storm now was—a regular blizzard. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Bobbsey could do nothing toward +searching for the lost shipment of Christmas +trees. The lumbermen could not work at cutting +down trees, floating or sledding them to +the mill or carting them to the railroad. Even +the sawmill was shut down, and all there was +to do was to wait. +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie were not used to staying +in the house so long at a time. They wanted to +go out and play even if there was snow, but +their mother would not let them in such an +unusual storm. +</p> +<p> +“It’s like when we were at Snow Lodge,” +sighed Flossie, as she stood with her little nose +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +pressed flat against the window, thereby making +her face cold. +</p> +<p> +“We could go out a little there,” sighed +Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“I think you children are very lucky,” said +their mother. “You have a warm place to +stay. Think of poor Nan and Bert. They +may——” +</p> +<p> +She stopped suddenly. She dared not think +of what her older son and daughter might be +suffering. She glanced quickly at Flossie and +Freddie. She was afraid lest she should make +them worry, too. +</p> +<p> +But, fortunately, Flossie and Freddie were +not that sort. They did not believe in worrying, +unless it was over not having fun enough. +However, the log cabin was of good size, and +with Old Jim to come over now and then to +amuse them with cutting out wooden toys, the +two Bobbsey twins did not have such a sad +time as might be imagined. +</p> +<p> +To-day, however, when the storm had kept +up so long, and when they had not had a chance +to go out, they felt rather lonesome and as +if they wanted to “do something.” So, presently, when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +Flossie had grown tired of pressing +her nose against the glass, making it cold, and +then holding it on Freddie’s cheek to hear him +exclaim in surprise, the little girl wandered +about looking for something to do. Freddie +joined her, and while their mother was in another +room, talking to Mr. Bobbsey, and saying +he ought, soon, to make another trip and search +for Bert and Nan, Flossie and Freddie went +up in the top story of the log cabin. +</p> +<p> +The log cabin was the largest in that part +of the woods, and was higher than most, so +that in addition to the bedrooms on the second +floor, there was, above them, an open attic, +reached by a short flight of steps, and in it +were stored all sorts of odds and ends. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe we can find something here to play +with,” suggested Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe,” agreed Freddie. +</p> +<p> +They rummaged around in the half-dark +place, back in corners where the roof came +down slanting and making little “cubby-holes,” +and it was after a glance into one of these +places that Flossie drew back and whispered +to Freddie: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span> +</p> +<p> +“There’s a bear in here!” +</p> +<p> +“A bear! Where?” and Freddie moved +over closer to Flossie and looked where she +pointed. +</p> +<p> +“There,” said the little girl, and, glancing +along the line of her outstretched finger, Freddie +saw a big, furry heap in a dark corner. +“I touched it first with my foot,” said Flossie, +“and it was soft, just like the bear I touched +that the Italian had once, leading around by a +string in his nose. And then I put out my +hand and I felt his fur!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh!” exclaimed Freddie. “Did he—did +he bite you?” He had been looking for something +to play with on the other side of the +attic, and, therefore, had not seen all that Flossie +had. +</p> +<p> +“Course he didn’t bite me!” the little girl +answered. “You didn’t hear me holler, did +you?” +</p> +<p> +“No,” said Freddie, “I didn’t. I’m going to +touch him!” +</p> +<p> +“Come over here,” advised Flossie, moving +to one side so Freddie could thrust his hand +forward and touch that mysterious heap of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> +fur. “I—I guess maybe he’s asleep, that’s why +he didn’t growl or nothin’!” +</p> +<p> +“I guess maybe,” agreed Freddie. Neither +of the Bobbsey twins felt surprised because +they had an idea a bear might be in the attic +with them. Nor were they afraid. A sleeping +bear is not dangerous, of course. Any little +boy or girl knows that! +</p> +<p> +Freddie crawled a little way farther under +the sloping roof and, by stretching out his hand, +managed to touch the fur. It felt warm and +soft to his fingers. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it <em>is</em> a bear!” he whispered, and he was +delighted. “Let’s go and tell mother, and we +can bring it downstairs and play with it. I +guess it’s a little bear!” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, we’d better tell mother,” agreed +Flossie. Somehow, the more she thought of +a bear being up in the attic the more she thought +it better to have some of the older folks know +about it. +</p> +<p> +Down the stairs went the two Bobbsey twins, +walking softly so as not to awaken the bear. +They didn’t want him suddenly aroused from +his sleep and made cross. Who would? +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +</p> +<p> +“Where have you children been?” cried Mrs. +Bobbsey, as she saw the two twins. They +were covered with dust and cobwebs from having +crawled so far under the sloping roof in +the attic. The floor was dirty, too, not having +been swept in many months, and they had sat +right down in the worst of the dust. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Mother!” gasped Flossie, “we’ve been +up in the attic, and what do you think’s up +there? It’s a——” +</p> +<p> +“<em>Bear!</em>” burst out Freddie, not wanting his +sister to tell all the wonderful news. “He’s +asleep, an’ I touched him!” +</p> +<p> +“Nonsense!” exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. “A +bear? It can’t be!” +</p> +<p> +And yet she knew there were bears in the +North Woods, and it might be possible that +one had crawled into the cabin before they +had come, and had gone to the attic to have his +long winter sleep. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, it is a bear!” insisted Flossie, and +both children were so certain about the heap +of fur that Mrs. Bobbsey called her husband, +who was out in the woodshed with Tom Case +and Jim Bimby. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> +</p> +<p> +“A bear!” cried the mill foreman. “Well, +there are some around these woods, but I never +knew of one coming into a cabin. I’ll take a +look.” +</p> +<p> +“Hadn’t you better take a gun?” asked Mr. +Bobbsey, as he and Old Jim followed the foreman +upstairs. “There’s one here.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you might hand it to me,” said Mr. +Case. “But I reckon if it is a bear that’s +crawled in to go to sleep, he’ll be so lazy I +can take him by the back of the neck and throw +him out.” +</p> +<p> +Freddie and Flossie waited with their mother +while their father and the two men went to +the attic. They could hear the three moving +around up overhead, and soon there was a +shout of laughter. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe it’s a circus bear, and he’s doing +tricks!” exclaimed Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I hope it is!” added Freddie, feeling +quite excited. +</p> +<p> +Their father and the two men came downstairs. +Tom Case carried something—something +brown and shaggy, just like the fur of +some animal. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +</p> +<p> +“There’s your ‘bear!’” he said, laughing, as +he tossed the furry object over a chair. “A +bear skin! Ha! Ha!” +</p> +<p> +And that is what it was. The skin of a +big bear, made into a lap robe for use in cold +weather. The fur was warm, thick and soft, +and when the skin was huddled up in a heap in +a corner no wonder the Bobbsey twins mistook +it for a real bear, especially in the dark. +</p> +<p> +“That’s a good warm fur robe,” said Old +Jim. “If it was made into a fur coat it would +keep out the cold.” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe that’s what the man who used to +live here was going to use it for,” said Mr. +Bobbsey. “He moved away and forgot it. +Well, you children can play with it,” he said +to Flossie and Freddie. “It was a bear once.” +</p> +<p> +And the Bobbsey twins had fun taking turns +wrapping the bear skin about them and pretending +to be different kinds of wild animals. +</p> +<p> +It was when the storm began to grow less +severe, the wind not blowing so hard and the +snow not coming down so thickly, that Mr. +Bobbsey, looking from the window when +Flossie and Freddie were playing “bear,” said: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span> +</p> +<p> +“I think I’ll start out again.” +</p> +<p> +“Where?” asked his wife. +</p> +<p> +“To find Bert and Nan,” he answered. “I +think the blizzard is about over, and they will +probably be starting for home. I’ll go to meet +them.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, take us!” cried Flossie and Freddie. +“We want to see Bert and Nan.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, no, I couldn’t take you,” said their +father. “The snow is piled deep in drifts, and +you’d sink away down in—over your heads. +I’ll take some of the men and start,” he said to +his wife. +</p> +<p> +And so, a little later, another searching party +started away from Cedar Camp to find the +missing Bobbsey twins. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll go along,” said Old Jim, who was now +able to travel. “I must take some food to my +wife. She’ll be ’most starved.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, come with us,” said Mr. Bobbsey. +“We’ll take some food to Mrs. Bimby.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII—A LITTLE SEARCHING PARTY</h2> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie Bobbsey were two of +the kindest children in the world. They were +fond of fun and of having a good time, but +whenever their mother did work for the church +at home, helping poor families, taking food to +people who had but little, Freddie and Flossie +always wanted to do their share. So did Bert +and Nan; but as the older twins had to spend +more time in school than did Flossie and Freddie, +the two latter had more chances to help +their mother. +</p> +<p> +More than once they had gone with her +when she carried a basket of food or a bundle +of clothing to some poor family in Lakeport. +And now, in Cedar Camp, having heard their +father say he was going to take food to Mrs. +Bimby, Flossie and Freddie at once had an +idea. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span> +</p> +<p> +While Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey were out of +the room, talking over the coming trip through +the woods to look for Bert and Nan, as well +as to take food to Mrs. Bimby, Freddie said +to Flossie: +</p> +<p> +“Let’s go, too!” +</p> +<p> +“Daddy won’t let us,” Flossie answered. +</p> +<p> +“We—we’ll tag after him,” said Freddie +in a whisper. “We can put on our rubber boots +and our coats and mittens, and we can go behind +him. He can’t hear us, ’cause there’s so +much snow our boots won’t make any noise.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s so,” agreed Flossie. “And, oh, +Freddie! I know what we can do.” +</p> +<p> +“What?” +</p> +<p> +“We can take Mrs. Bimby that bear robe. +It’ll keep her warm, ’cause it’s so nice and +soft!” +</p> +<p> +“So ’tis!” agreed Freddie. “We’ll take it, +and something to eat, too.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll not have to do that, Daddy and the +other men are going to take her something to +eat.” +</p> +<p> +“I meant something to eat for us,” Freddie +said. “We ought to take a lunch with us, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> +’cause maybe we’ll get hungry in the woods.” +</p> +<p> +The younger Bobbsey twins had a feeling +that if they were seen packing up a lunch for +themselves, putting on their boots and outdoor +garments, and taking the bear skin, they +would be stopped. They felt sure they would +not be allowed to go in search of Nan and +Bert. And they were probably right. +</p> +<p> +So, as they had done more than once before, +they said nothing of their plans, but went +about them secretly and quietly. While their +mother and Mrs. Baxter were packing two +large baskets with food for Old Jim’s wife, +and while Daddy Bobbsey was talking to the +men about the coming trip through the snow-filled +woods, Flossie and Freddie took their +boots, coats, caps and mittens to the back door +of the log cabin. +</p> +<p> +“We can slip out and put ’em on there when +nobody is looking,” said Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got to take the bear skin out, too,” +Flossie remarked. +</p> +<p> +But when they tried to bundle the skin of +the bear up so they could carry it, they found +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +it so heavy and slippery to lift that they had +to give it up. +</p> +<p> +“What’ll we do?” asked Flossie, as, after +several trials she had to admit that the skin +could not be carried. “Mrs. Bimby’ll be so +disappointed!” +</p> +<p> +“We can tell her it’s here, and Mr. Jim can +come and get it,” suggested Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’ll be nice!” his sister agreed. +“We’ll leave the skin.” +</p> +<p> +How to pack up a lunch for themselves was +also a hard matter. But, as it happened, Mrs. +Bobbsey was so busy getting things ready for +her husband and the other men that she did not +pay much attention to what Flossie and Freddie +did. She saw them moving about, now in the +pantry and now in the kitchen and again stepping +to the back door, but she did not dream +they were getting ready to set off on a search +by themselves. +</p> +<p> +However, this is just what Flossie and +Freddie were going to do, and, after a while, +they managed to pack into a pasteboard box +what they thought would be lunch enough for +them until they came back with Bert and Nan. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span> +</p> +<p> +“Put in lots of cake,” whispered Freddie +to Flossie, on one of the little girl’s trips to +the pantry. “Cake tastes awful good in the +woods.” +</p> +<p> +“I will,” Flossie whispered back. “And I +got some pie, too!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s fine!” Freddie exclaimed. “Now +we must slip out when they don’t see us.” +</p> +<p> +This the small Bobbsey twins managed to +do. While Mr. Bobbsey, with Old Jim and +Tom Case, was making ready to start on his +searching expedition, to find and bring back +Bert and Nan, as well as to take food to lonely +Mrs. Bimby, Flossie and Freddie slipped +quietly to the back door with their queer package +of lunch. +</p> +<p> +They soon donned their boots, coats and +caps, and with their little hands covered with +warm, red mittens, they started off, keeping +behind the cabin so they would not be seen by +those in front who were getting ready to start +on the main searching trip. It was snowing +a little, but not nearly so hard as at first, and +the wind was not so strong or cold. +</p> +<p> +“It’ll be fun!” said Flossie to Freddie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +</p> +<p> +“Lots of fun!” agreed her twin. “We’ll +wait until daddy and Mr. Jim and Mr. Case +get in the woods, and then we’ll follow ’em. +They won’t send us back!” +</p> +<p> +“No,” agreed Flossie, “I don’t guess they +will.” +</p> +<p> +The plan of the little Bobbsey twins was to +follow their father on the search. They did +not want to go through the woods alone, even +though it was now daylight, though the sun +did not shine because of the snow clouds. +</p> +<p> +And so, a little while after Mr. Bobbsey and +the two men started away from the log cabin, +Flossie and Freddie set out on their own little +searching party. Mrs. Bobbsey and Mrs. Baxter +were so busy “cleaning up” after the men +left that they gave no thought to the children +for a time. +</p> +<p> +“There they go!” whispered Flossie to +Freddie, as, hiding behind a woodpile, they +saw their father, Mr. Bimby and Tom Case +start off. +</p> +<p> +“Wait a little, and then we’ll go after ’em,” +advised Freddie. +</p> +<p> +As soon as the main party had marched off +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +along the trail that led through the woods toward +the chestnut grove that Bert and Nan had +set out to visit two days before, the small +Bobbsey twins set forth. They went around +behind a clump of trees so they would not be +seen from the cabin. +</p> +<p> +Flossie and Freddie expected soon to catch +up to their father, but the snow was so deep +and the men traveled so fast that, after trudging +along for half an hour, Freddie and his +sister had not yet come within sight of the +others. +</p> +<p> +“Do you s’pose they ran away from us?” +asked Flossie, as she stopped a moment to rest. +</p> +<p> +“Course not,” answered Freddie. “They +don’t even know we’re comin’ after ’em.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s so,” Flossie said. “Well, anyhow, +I hope we don’t get lost.” +</p> +<p> +“I do, too,” agreed Freddie. “But we have +something to eat, anyhow,” and he patted +the box of lunch he carried. +</p> +<p> +The children looked around them. They +were in a lonely part of the woods, a place +they had never been before, but they felt sure +they would soon catch up to their father. They +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +had been following the tracks in the snow +left by the men who had gone to find Bert +and Nan and take food to Mrs. Bimby. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly, however, there came a harder +flurry of snow, and for a time Flossie and +Freddie could not see very well. And when +the little squall, as sudden storms are called, +had passed, the two Bobbsey twins found they +had wandered off to one side of the trail. +</p> +<p> +No longer could they see the footprints of +their father and the others in the snow. They +had nothing to guide them! +</p> +<p> +“Freddie! Look!” cried Flossie, “Where’s +the path?” She called her father’s snow-track +a “path.” +</p> +<p> +“Why, it—it’s gone!” Freddie had to admit. +</p> +<p> +And then, as the two little children stood in +the lonely snow-filled woods, they heard, near +a bush, a noise that made them suddenly afraid. +</p> +<p> +It was a growl that they heard! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX—THE WILDCAT</h2> +<p> +Bert Bobbsey started off bravely enough +from the cabin of Mrs. Bimby to go for help +for the old woman, so that food might be +taken to her bare cupboard. +</p> +<p> +“And I’ll have daddy bring a sled or something +so Nan can ride home to camp on it,” +thought Bert, as he trudged along through the +snow. “It’s hard walking. I wish I had a pair +of snowshoes.” +</p> +<p> +He had started away from the lonely cabin, +as I told you two chapters back. With him +he took a little package of lunch, not very +much, for he felt sure he would soon reach +Cedar Camp by following the line of the brook, +nor was there much to be got from Mrs. Bimby’s +bare cupboard. Even though much snow +had fallen, Bert hoped the bed of the brook +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +could be made out once he came to it. It lay +some distance from the cabin, he thought. +</p> +<p> +The Bobbsey twin boy turned, after trudging +a little way from the cabin, and waved +his hand at Mrs. Bimby and Nan, who stood +near a window watching him. +</p> +<p> +“Your brother is a brave little chap,” said +Mrs. Bimby. “I do hope he finds help and +brings it back to us.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope so, too; ’specially something for you +to eat,” said Nan. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, well, we’ve a little of the rabbit left +yet,” said the old woman. “But my tea is ’most +gone, and I need it strong on account of my +nerves. If it wasn’t for my rheumatiz I’d put +on my things and go with Bert. I’d take you +along, though I fear it’s going to snow more.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope it doesn’t before Bert gets back to +camp,” Nan said. “I shouldn’t want him lost +all alone.” +</p> +<p> +“Nor I, dearie,” crooned Mrs. Bimby. “But +he’s a brave lad, and I trust he gets along all +right. Though it has been a bad storm—a bad +storm!” she muttered. +</p> +<p> +She put more wood on the fire, for, though +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span> +the wind had gone down a little and the snow +was not falling so rapidly, it was still cold. +But the blazing wood threw out a grateful +heat, and Nan and Mrs. Bimby sat about the +stove, waiting for the help Bert was to send. +</p> +<p> +Bert felt a little lonely as he plunged into +the woods and lost sight of the cabin. Though +it was daylight, and the woods were not dark +because of the white snow, still Bert felt a +little lonesome. He wished Nan had come +with him. +</p> +<p> +“But I guess a girl couldn’t get along,” he +said to himself, as he plunged through drift +after drift. Indeed it was hard work for Bert, +sturdy as he was, to wade along, especially as +he had on no boots, not having expected a +storm when he and Nan started after chestnuts. +</p> +<p> +“Now let me see,” said Bert Bobbsey, talking +to himself half aloud, to make his trip seem +less lonesome. “The first thing I want to do +is to find the brook. I can follow that back +to camp, I’m pretty sure. But it’s a good way +from here, I guess.” +</p> +<p> +He remembered having seen the brook just +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> +before he and Nan reached the first chestnut +grove, where they found the squirrels and +chipmunks had taken most of the supply, making +the children go farther on. And then the +Bobbsey twins had rather lost sight of the +stream of water. +</p> +<p> +Bert knew it might be almost hidden from +sight under overhanging banks of snow, but +he knew if he could come upon the water course +it would be the surest thing to follow to get +back to camp. So as he trudged along, into +and out of drifts, he looked eagerly about for +a sign of the brook, which, as it went on, +widened and ran into the mill pond near Cedar +Camp. +</p> +<p> +Bert was all by himself in the snowy woods. +The cabin, where his sister and Mrs. Bimby +waited for him to bring help, was lost to sight +amid the trees. For the first time since leaving +Cedar Camp Bert began to feel lonesome and +afraid. +</p> +<p> +It was so still and quiet in the woods! Not +a sound! No birds fluttered through the trees +or called aloud. The birds that had not flown +south were, doubtless, keeping under shelter +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +until they dared venture out to look for food, +which some of them would never find. +</p> +<p> +“There isn’t even a crow!” said Bert aloud, +and his voice, in that white stillness, almost +startled him by its loudness. +</p> +<p> +He reached the top of a little hill, where +there was not quite so much snow, the wind +having blown it off, and there Bert stopped +for a moment, looking about. It was a lonesome +and dreary scene that lay before him. +Not a house in sight, only a stretch of snow +and trees, and the wind howled mournfully +through the bare, leafless branches. +</p> +<p> +“Well, there’s no use standing here,” murmured +Bert to himself. “I’ve got to travel on +and bring help to Nan and the old lady. I’m +glad Nan has some shelter, anyhow. And I +s’pose mother will be worrying about us. But +we couldn’t help it. Nobody would guess a +storm would come up so quickly.” +</p> +<p> +Throwing back his shoulders as he had seen +men do when they had some hard task before +them, Bert started off again. Through the +snow he trudged, tossing the white flakes aside +with his small but sturdy legs. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +</p> +<p> +All at once, on the white expanse in front +of him, Bert saw a movement. At first he +thought it was just some loose snow, blown +about by the wind, which came in fitful gusts. +But as he looked a second time he saw that it +was not the wind. +</p> +<p> +“It’s some animal!” exclaimed the boy, +speaking aloud, for he wanted company, and, +like the men of the desert or wilderness, he +fell naturally into the habit of talking to himself. +“It’s some animal.” +</p> +<p> +Having said this Bert came to a stop, for +he knew there might be many sorts of animals +in the woods. +</p> +<p> +“I wonder what it is,” he whispered. Somehow +or other a whisper seemed more the sort +of voice to use in that lonesome place. +</p> +<p> +A moment later he saw a patch of brown, +and then two big ears appeared to be thrust +out of a hole in the snow. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a rabbit—a bunny!” cried Bert, and +he did not whisper this time. +</p> +<p> +As he shouted Bert sprang forward through +the snow and toward the brown rabbit that had +so unexpectedly appeared. Whether it was the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span> +boy’s shout or his quick movement, or both, +was not certain, but the rabbit was frightened +and dashed away over the snow, sometimes +sinking down almost out of sight, and again, +by some means, keeping on the surface of the +snow, which was packed harder in some places +than in others. +</p> +<p> +“If I can only get you!” gasped Bert, for +his speed through the snow was making him +pant and his breath come short. “I’ll get you +and take you back to Nan and Mrs. Bimby! +They won’t have enough to eat unless I do, +maybe, for it may take me a long while to get +back to camp.” +</p> +<p> +Bert had no weapon—he could not even pick +up a stone, for they were all covered from +sight by the mass of white. But the boy had +an idea that he could catch the rabbit alive. +</p> +<p> +Bert was not a cruel boy, and under other +circumstances he never would have dreamed +of trying to hurt or catch a bunny. But now +he felt that the lives of his sister and Mrs. +Bimby might depend on this game. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll get you! I’ll run you down!” muttered +Bert. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +</p> +<p> +Now a rabbit is a very fast-moving animal. +Out West there is a kind called jackrabbits, +and they can go faster than the average dog. +Only a greyhound or other long-legged dog +can beat a jackrabbit running. But though +this bunny was not a jackrabbit, being the common +wild rabbit of the woods and fields, still +it could go faster than could Bert—and in the +snow at that. +</p> +<p> +Every now and again Bert would get so near +the bunny that he felt sure that the next moment +he would be able to get hold of the long +ears. But every time the rabbit would give a +desperate jump and get beyond the boy’s reach. +</p> +<p> +“Whew!” exclaimed Bert, as he was forced +to stop, because his legs were so tired and +because his breath was so short. “I don’t wonder +hunters have to use guns! They never +could get much game just by chasing after it. +It wouldn’t be any use to set a trap, for I +haven’t time and I haven’t anything to bait it +with. Besides, I guess you’re so smart you’d +never be caught in it.” +</p> +<p> +As Bert came to a stop on top of another +little hill where the snow was partly blown +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span> +away, the rabbit also halted. It looked back at +the boy. Probably the bunny was as tired as +was Bert. +</p> +<p> +“If I only had something to throw at you!” +murmured the boy. “I can’t find any stones, +but I can take a stick.” +</p> +<p> +There were trees near at hand, and from +the low branches of one of these Bert broke +off a number of pieces of dead wood. They +cracked like pistol shots, and, turning around +to look at the rabbit, Bert saw it scooting away +over the snow. Probably the little furry +creature thought some hunter was shooting at +it. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I guess I’ll have to give up,” said +the boy, half aloud. “I’ll only get lost chasing +after you. As it is, I guess I’ve come ’most a +mile out of my way.” +</p> +<p> +He threw the sticks he had broken off, but +he did not come anywhere near hitting the +brown bunny. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, well, you’re safe! I won’t chase you +any farther,” said Bert. “And I wouldn’t have +chased you now, and scared you ’most to death, +if the folks back in the shack weren’t so low +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +on food. Maybe I can find something else.” +</p> +<p> +Bert floundered about in the snow, following +his tracks back before they should be filled +and so hidden from sight. He was about half +way to the place where he had surprised the +rabbit when he heard a chattering in a tree +over his head. +</p> +<p> +“A squirrel!” exclaimed the boy. “And a +grey one, too, or I miss my guess.” +</p> +<p> +He kept very still, listening. Again, above +the noise of the storm was heard the sharp, +squealing chatter of a squirrel, and, looking +up over his head, Bert saw the animal. It +was a large, grey squirrel, with a tail almost +as big as its whole body. +</p> +<p> +The squirrel sat up on a limb and looked +down at the boy. It may have been angry or +frightened, and it seemed to be scolding Bert +as it chattered at him. Grey squirrels are not +such excited scolders as the little red chaps +are, but this one did very well. +</p> +<p> +“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll +go back into your nest and stay there,” Bert +said. “I can’t get you, and you ought to know +it, for I haven’t a gun and I never could throw +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span> +up a stick and knock you down. You’d be +good eating if I could,” Bert went on, for he +had often heard his father tell of broiled +squirrels. +</p> +<p> +Bert could see a hole in the tree half way +up the trunk, and he guessed that here the +squirrel had his winter nest. It would be well +lined with dried leaves, soft grass, and perhaps +some cotton from the milkweed pods. Thus +the squirrels keep warm, wrapping their big +bushy tails about them. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I guess I’ll say good-bye to you,” +went on Bert, as he turned aside from the squirrel +in the tree and resumed his trudging +through the snow. The weather was cold, and +Bert was cold likewise. Also he was tired. +His legs ached and his shoulders pained him, +for walking through the snow is not easy +work, as you who have tried it know. +</p> +<p> +However, he knew that he must keep bravely +on, and so, after turning once or twice, making +sure he could not see the cabin, he went along +faster. +</p> +<p> +It was because of his speed that an accident +happened to Bert which might have been a very +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> +serious one. He was traveling with his head +held down, to keep the falling snow out of his +face, when he suddenly felt himself falling. +</p> +<p> +Down, down he went, as though he had +stepped into some big hole, or off some high +cliff. He gave a cry of alarm, and threw out +both hands to grasp something to save himself, +but there was nothing to grasp. Down, down +went poor Bert! +</p> +<p> +It was a good thing there was so much snow +on the ground. The piles and drifts of white +flakes were like so many heaps of feathers, and +Bert was thankful when at last, after sliding, +slipping, falling and tumbling, he came to a +stop, half buried in a deep drift. He was +somewhat shaken up, and he had dropped his +package of lunch, but at first he did not think +he was much hurt until he tried to move his +left leg. +</p> +<p> +Then such a pain shot through the boy that +he had to cry aloud. He shut his eyes and +leaned back against the pile of snow into which +he had fallen. The first flash of pain passed, +and he began to feel a little better. But a terrible +thought came to him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span> +</p> +<p> +“What if my leg is broken?” said Bert, half +aloud. “I can’t walk, I can’t go for help, and +I’ll have to stay here. Daddy or nobody will +know where to find me—not even Nan or Mrs. +Bimby! Oh, this is terrible!” +</p> +<p> +But he knew he must be brave, for he had +to help not only himself but his sister and the +old woman in the cabin. Clenching his teeth +to keep back the cry of pain which he felt +would come when he moved his leg again, Bert +shifted it a little to one side. The spasm of +pain came, but not so bad as at first. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe it’s only broken a little,” thought +the boy. “And I can crawl, if I can’t walk.” +He had read of hunters and trappers who, with +a broken or badly cut leg, had crawled miles +over the snow to get help. Bert wanted to be +as brave as these heroes. +</p> +<p> +But when he moved his leg for the third +time and found the pain not quite so bad, he +began to take heart. He brushed away the +snow from both legs and looked at them. They +appeared to be all right, but the left one felt +a little queer. And it was not until he had +managed to pull himself up, by means of a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +stunted bush showing through the snow, that +Bert knew his leg was not broken. +</p> +<p> +It was strained a little, and it hurt some +when he bore his weight on it, but he found +that he could at least walk, if he could not run, +and he was thankful for this. He looked up +toward the place from where he had fallen, +and saw that, without knowing it, he had +stepped over the edge of a steep hill. The +snow had hidden the edge from Bert, and he +had plunged right over it. +</p> +<p> +“Where’s my lunch?” he asked aloud, and +then he saw the package, which had fallen to +one side of the place where he had plunged +into the drift. Bert picked it up, and then, +thankful that his accident was no worse, he +went on again. +</p> +<p> +“I guess maybe the brook is here,” he said, +for he noticed that he was down in a valley, +and he knew that water always sought low +levels. “I’ll walk along here,” said Bert. +</p> +<p> +He was so frightened, thinking of what +might have happened if he had been crippled +and unable to walk, that he did not feel hungry, +though it was some time since breakfast. On +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +he trudged through the snow, looking for signs +of the brook, which he hoped would lead him +to Cedar Camp. +</p> +<p> +It was while he was passing through a clump +of woods that Bert received another fright—one +that caused him to run on as fast as he +could, in spite of his aching leg. +</p> +<p> +He had gone half way through the clump +of trees, and he was wondering if he would +ever come to the brook, when suddenly he +heard a noise in a clump of bushes. The noise +sounded louder than usual, because it was all +so still and quiet near him. +</p> +<p> +Before Bert could guess what caused the +sound, he saw, pushing its way through the +underbrush, a tawny animal, with black spots +underneath and with little tufts of hair on its +ears. At once Bert knew what this was—a +wildcat, or lynx! +</p> +<p> +For a moment Bert was so frightened that +he just stood still, looking at the wildcat. And +then, as the animal gave a sort of snarl and +growl, the boy turned with a yell of fright +and ran off through the snow as fast as he +could go! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span><a name='chXX' id='chXX'></a>CHAPTER XX—SNOWBALL BULLETS</h2> +<p> +About the time that Bert Bobbsey was running +through the snow, to get away from the +wildcat, Flossie and Freddie were having a +scare of their own, some miles distant from +him, though in the same woods around Cedar +Camp. +</p> +<p> +The two smaller Bobbsey twins had gone off +without letting their father or mother know, +taking with them a lunch. They tramped +through the forest until they came to a lonely +place and had not yet caught sight of their +father, who had started off ahead with Old +Jim Bimby and Tom Case. Right here the +small twins heard a growl and saw a movement +in the bushes. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” asked Flossie, shrinking +closer to Freddie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +</p> +<p> +“I—I don’t know,” Freddie answered, trying +to think of something to make him brave. +“Maybe it’s a bear!” +</p> +<p> +“A bear?” questioned his sister. +</p> +<p> +“Yep!” Freddie went on, his eyes never moving +from the bush that seemed to hide some +animal. “Maybe it’s a bear like the one we +found the skin of in the attic.” +</p> +<p> +“It—it can’t be the <em>same one</em> coming back +for his skin, can it?” asked Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Course not!” declared Freddie. “How +could a bear go ’round without his skin on?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, a bear’s skin is just the same to him +as our clothes are to us,” Flossie went on. +“An’ sometimes, when we go swimming, we +don’t have very many clothes on.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, a bear is different,” said Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look!” suddenly cried the little girl, +and, pointing to the bush with one hand, she +clung to Freddie’s arm with the other. “He’s +coming out! He’s coming out!” she exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +A shaggy head could be seen thrusting itself +from the bushes, and the children were wondering +what sort of animal it could be, for it +did not look like a bear, when, with a joyful +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> +bark, there burst out in front of them—the +shaggy dog belonging to Tom Case! +</p> +<p> +Rover—Rover was the name of the dog—rushed +toward Flossie and Freddie, leaping +joyfully and wagging his tail. He had made +friends with the children as soon as they came +to Cedar Camp, and they loved Rover. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, hello!” cried Flossie, as if greeting an +old friend. +</p> +<p> +“He’s glad to see us and we’re glad to see +him,” said Freddie. +</p> +<p> +This seemed to be true, though I think +Flossie and Freddie were more pleased to see +Rover than he was to see them, for the dog +knew how to find his way home, and even trace +and find his master if need be, while, to tell +you the truth, Flossie and Freddie were lost, +though they did not yet know it. But they +were soon to find this out. +</p> +<p> +“Did you come looking for us?” asked Flossie, +as she patted the shaggy animal. +</p> +<p> +“I guess he did,” Freddie said. “I guess +he’d rather come with us than with daddy and +the others. Though we’ll take Rover to ’em, +won’t we?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” agreed Flossie. “But we must hurry +up and catch ’em, Freddie. We want to see +Mrs. Bimby and tell her about the nice warm +bear robe.” +</p> +<p> +“Sush! Don’t speak so loud,” cautioned +Freddie, looking over his shoulder. +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” Flossie wanted to know. +</p> +<p> +“I mean about the bear robe,” her brother +went on. “There might be some bears in the +woods, and if they heard there was the skin of +one of ’em at the cabin, maybe they wouldn’t +like it.” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe that’s so,” agreed Flossie, also looking +around. “But, anyhow, Rover’d drive the +bears away; wouldn’t you, Rover?” +</p> +<p> +The dog barked and wagged his tail, which +was the only answer he could give. It satisfied +the children, and soon they started off again, +making their way through the snow, hoping +they would soon catch up with their father, +Mr. Case and Mr. Bimby. Rover accompanied +Flossie and Freddie, sometimes ahead of them +and sometimes behind. +</p> +<p> +The dog had started out, as he often did, +to follow his master, but had lagged behind, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span> +perhaps to run after a rabbit or squirrel. Then +he had come across the tracks of the children +and had gone to them, knowing they were +friends of his. +</p> +<p> +“I’m hungry,” said Flossie, after a while. +“Let’s sit under a Christmas tree and eat, +Freddie.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” agreed her brother, always willing +to do this. +</p> +<p> +They were, just then, in a clump of evergreen +trees, and under some the snow was +not as deep as it was in the open. In fact the +children found one tree with no snow under +it at all, so thick were the branches, and so +close to the ground did they come. Crawling +into this little nest, where the ground was covered +with the dry needles from the pines and +other trees, Flossie and Freddie opened the +packages of lunch they had brought with +them. +</p> +<p> +Rover, smelling the food, crawled into the +shelter after them, and Flossie and Freddie +shared their lunch with the dog, who even ate +the crumbs off the ground. +</p> +<p> +“But we mustn’t eat everything,” said Freddie, when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span> +part of the lunch had been disposed +of, Rover getting his share. +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” asked Flossie. “Can’t you eat +all you want to when you’re hungry?” +</p> +<p> +“It’s best to save some,” Freddie answered. +“Maybe we’ll get stuck in the snow and can’t +get anything more to eat for a while, and then +we’ll be glad to have this.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s so,” agreed Flossie, after thinking +it over. “I guess I’m not so very hungry. But +Rover is. He’s terrible hungry, Freddie. See +him look at the lunch.” +</p> +<p> +Indeed the dog seemed to be following, with +hungry eyes, every motion of the little boy who +was wrapping up again that part of the lunch +not eaten by him and his sister. They saved +about half of it. +</p> +<p> +Rover sniffed and snuffed as only a dog can, +but he made no effort to take the lunch that +Freddie placed in a crotch of the evergreen +tree which made such a nice shelter for him +and his sister. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you take it, Rover!” cautioned +Flossie, shaking her finger at him. +</p> +<p> +Rover thumped his tail on the ground, perhaps to show +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span> +that he would be good and mind. +</p> +<p> +“It’s nice and warm in here,” Freddie remarked, +after a while. “I wish we could stay +here longer, Flossie.” +</p> +<p> +“Can’t we?” +</p> +<p> +“Not if we want to go to Mrs. Bimby’s,” +Freddie answered. “We have to get out and +walk some more. And it’s snowing again, too.” +</p> +<p> +Whether it was or not, the children could +not be quite certain, for the wind was blowing, +and if the flakes were not falling from the sky +they were blowing up off the ground. +</p> +<p> +It was almost the same, anyhow, for there +was a fine shower of the cold, white flakes in +the air, and it was much more cosy and warm +under the tree than out in the open. +</p> +<p> +“Let’s stay here a little longer,” begged +Flossie. “Rover likes it here, don’t you?” she +asked, as she reached out her hand and patted +the shaggy back of the dog. +</p> +<p> +And from the manner in which Rover +thumped his tail on the ground you could tell +that he did, indeed, like to be with the little +Bobbsey twins under the shelter of the tree. +</p> +<p> +“I know what we can do,” said Freddie, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span> +after thinking a moment. “I know what we +can do to have some fun!” +</p> +<p> +“What?” asked Flossie, always ready for +anything of this sort. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll throw a lot of these pine cones outside, +and Rover will chase after ’em and bring +’em back,” went on Freddie. “He likes to run +out in the snow. And after we play that awhile +maybe it will be nicer outside.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” agreed Flossie. “We’ll throw +pine cones.” +</p> +<p> +There were many of these on the pine-needle +covered ground beneath the sheltering tree. +The cones were really the clusters of seeds +from the tree, and they had become hard and +dry so they made excellent things to throw +for a dog to bring back. +</p> +<p> +Rover liked to race after sticks when thrown +by the children, and the pine cones were ever +so much better than sticks. There were so +many of them, too. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll throw first, and then it will be your +turn, Flossie,” Freddie said. “Here, Rover!” +he called to the dog, as he picked up several +of the cones. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span> +</p> +<p> +Always ready for a lark of this sort, Rover +leaped to his feet and stood at “attention.” +Freddie bent aside some of the branches and +tossed a pine cone out of the opening. +</p> +<p> +It fell in a bank of snow some distance +away, for Freddie was a good thrower for a +little boy. And the pine cone, being light, did +not sink down in the snow as a stone would +have done. +</p> +<p> +“Bow-wow!” barked Rover, as he dashed +out after the pine cone. +</p> +<p> +That was his way of saying he would bring +it back as quickly as he could. And as Rover +rushed from under the little green tent of the +pine tree Flossie gave a cry of surprise. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the matter?” asked Freddie, turning +around to look at his sister. +</p> +<p> +“Rover knocked me down!” she answered +with a laugh, and, surely enough, there she +was sprawling on the brown pine needles which +covered the ground under the tree. “He just +bunked into me and knocked me over!” +</p> +<p> +Rover was not used to playing with children, +you see, and he was a bit rough. But he didn’t +mean to be. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span> +</p> +<p> +Flossie sat up, still laughing, for she was not +in the least hurt, and by this time Rover had +brought back the pine cone that Freddie had +tossed out. +</p> +<p> +“Good dog, Rover!” cried Freddie, patting +the animal as he laid down the cone and wagged +his tail. “Now it’s your turn to throw one, +Flossie,” Freddie said. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” Flossie answered. “But look +out he doesn’t knock you down, Freddie.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m looking out!” Freddie said, and he +quickly moved over to one side of the space +under the tree, while Flossie threw out her +cone. +</p> +<p> +Flossie was not quite so good a thrower of +sticks, stones, or pine cones as was her brother. +But she did pretty well. Though her cone did +not go as far as Freddie’s had, it sank farther +down into the snow. Maybe the cone was a +heavier one, or it may have fallen in a softer +place in the snow. Anyhow it went quite deep +into a drift and Rover had to dig with his forepaws +to get it so he could take it in his mouth. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look at him!” cried Flossie, as the +dog, digging away, made the snow fly in a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span> +shower back of him. “He’s like a snowplow +on the railroad!” +</p> +<p> +Once, in a big storm, Flossie and Freddie +had seen the railroad snowplow, pushed by +two locomotives, cut through a high drift. +And the way Rover scattered the snow made +the little girl think of the plow. +</p> +<p> +“Bring it here, Rover!” cried Freddie, for +it would be his turn next to throw a cone. +</p> +<p> +“Bow-wow!” barked the dog, and then, with +a final dive into the drift, he got the brown +cone in his mouth and came racing back with +it. Covered with snow as he was, he crawled +under the shelter to be petted and talked kindly +to by Freddie and Flossie. +</p> +<p> +Then, just as he probably did when he came +out of the water in the summer time, Rover +gave himself a shake, to get rid of the snowflakes. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! Oh!” laughed Flossie, holding her +hands over her face. “Stop it, Rover! You’re +getting me all snow!” +</p> +<p> +But Rover kept it up until he had got off all +the snow, and then he raced out again after +more cones as the children threw them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span> +</p> +<p> +If Bert Bobbsey could have known where +his little sister and brother were, with brave +old Rover beside them, I am sure he would +have wished to join them. For Bert, about +this time, was running away from the wildcat +that had suddenly burst through the bushes. +</p> +<p> +“You’re not going to get me!” said Bert to +himself, as he clutched his package of lunch and +raced on as well as he could. +</p> +<p> +The pain in his leg bothered him, but he +was not going to stop for a thing like that and +let a wildcat maul him. On he ran through +the snow, taking the easiest path he could find. +He looked back over his shoulder once or twice, +to find the wildcat bounding lightly along after +him. +</p> +<p> +And after he had looked back and had seen +the size of the animal and noticed that there +was only one, somehow or other Bert became +braver, and he had an idea that perhaps he +might drive this beast away. +</p> +<p> +Wildcats, or bobcats as they are sometimes +called, being also known as the bay lynx, are +not as large as a good-sized dog. They weigh +about thirty pounds, and though they have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span> +sharp teeth and claws they very seldom attack +persons. Only when they are disturbed, or +fear that someone is going to harm their little +ones or take away their food, do bobcats run +after persons. +</p> +<p> +And this one must have thought Bert was +going to do it some harm, for the animal certainly +chased the lad. +</p> +<p> +“Ho!” said Bert to himself, as he looked +back, “you’re not so big! Maybe you have got +sharp teeth and claws, but if you don’t get near +me you can’t hurt me! I’m going to make +you go back!” +</p> +<p> +Bert had a sudden idea of how he might do +this—with snowball bullets. All about him +was snow—piles of it—and Bert had often +taken part in snowball fights at home. He was +a good thrower, and once he had snowballed a +savage dog that had run at Flossie and Freddie +and had caused the animal to run yelping away. +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to snowball this wildcat!” decided +Bert. +</p> +<p> +He ran on a little farther until he came to +a small clearing where the trees stood in an +irregular ring around an open place. There +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span> +Bert decided to make a stand and see if he +could not drive the chasing wildcat away. +</p> +<p> +“And if he won’t go, and comes after me,” +thought Bert, “I can climb a tree.” +</p> +<p> +He did not know, or else had forgotten, that +wildcats themselves are very good tree-climbers. +</p> +<p> +Reaching the other side of the clearing, Bert +laid his package of lunch down on a firm place +in the snow, and then rapidly began to make +some hard, round balls. He packed them with +all his might between his mittened hands, for +he knew a soft snowball would not be of much +use against a wildcat. +</p> +<p> +He had been some distance ahead of the animal, +and when it ran up to the edge of the +clearing Bert had several snowballs ready. +</p> +<p> +“Come on now! See how you like that!” +cried the boy. He threw one snowball “bullet,” +but he was so excited that it went high over +the head of the bobcat. The next one struck +in the snow at the feet of the animal. But the +third one hit it right on the nose! +</p> +<p> +“Good shot!” cried Bert. +</p> +<p> +The wildcat uttered a snarl and a growl, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span> +stopped for a moment. Perhaps it had never +before chased anyone who threw snowballs. +</p> +<p> +“Have another!” cried Bert, and the next +white bullet struck it on the side. The bobcat +leaped up in the air, and then Bert threw another +ball which hit it on the head. +</p> +<p> +This was too much for the creature. With +a loud howl it turned and ran back into the +woods, and Bert breathed easier. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I guess as long as I can throw snowballs +you won’t get me,” he said to himself, as +he picked up the package of lunch and hurried +on. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span><a name='chXXI' id='chXXI'></a>CHAPTER XXI—ON THE ROCK</h2> +<p> +Bert Bobbsey felt very proud of himself +after he had driven away the wildcat with +snowballs. And I think he had a right to be +proud. Not many boys of his age would have +dared to stand and await the oncoming of a +beast that is quite dangerous once it starts to +claw and bite. But Bert had spent so much +time in the woods and out in the open that he +was very self-reliant. +</p> +<p> +And so, after looking back once or twice as +he left the clearing, and finding that the bobcat +did not follow, Bert began to feel much better. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll soon be at Cedar Camp,” he said to +himself, “and then I’ll be all right. I’ll send +’em back to get Nan and take something to +eat to Mrs. Bimby. I’ll be glad to see Flossie +and Freddie again.” +</p> +<p> +Had Bert only known it, Flossie and Freddie +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span> +were nearer to him than if they had been in +Cedar Camp, though the small Bobbsey twins +were still some distance from their brother. +</p> +<p> +And while Mr. Bobbsey was forging ahead +through the snow with Old Jim Bimby and +Tom Case, knowing nothing, of course, about +his little boy and girl having followed him, +Mrs. Bobbsey was having worries of her own +about the absence of the small children from +the cabin. +</p> +<p> +She and Mrs. Baxter had missed Flossie and +Freddie soon after the men had started on the +searching trip, but, for a time, the mother of +the two small twins was not at all worried. She +thought Flossie and Freddie had merely run +out to play a little, as it was the first chance +they had had since the big storm began. +</p> +<p> +But when, after a while, they had not come +back to the cabin, and she could see nothing +of them, Mrs. Bobbsey said: +</p> +<p> +“Mrs. Baxter, have you seen Flossie and +Freddie?” +</p> +<p> +“No, Mrs. Bobbsey, I haven’t,” answered +the cook. “But it looks as if they had been +in the pantry, for things there are all upset.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span> +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Bobbsey looked around the kitchen and +pantry, and she at once guessed part of what +had happened. +</p> +<p> +“They’ve packed up lunch for themselves,” +she said to the housekeeper, “and they’ve gone +out to play. Well, they’ll be all right as long +as they stay around here and it doesn’t storm +again. I’ll go and look for them in a few minutes.” +</p> +<p> +But when she did look and call Flossie +and Freddie, they were not to be found. Indeed, +they were more than a mile away by this +time, and they had just met Rover, as I have +told you. +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad Rover’s with us, aren’t you, Freddie?” +asked Flossie, as they made ready to set +off again, after having eaten their lunch. +</p> +<p> +“Lots glad,” answered the little boy. “Mrs. +Bimby will be glad to see him, I guess.” +</p> +<p> +Indeed Mrs. Bimby, left alone with Nan +after Bert had gone out, would have been glad +to see almost anyone. For she was worried +because her husband was away and because +there was so little left in the house to eat, only +she did not want to tell Nan so. And she did +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span> +not think she could shoot another rabbit, as +Bert had done. +</p> +<p> +“I do hope that boy will find my Jim or +someone and bring help,” thought Mrs. Bimby. +</p> +<p> +And of course Mr. Bobbsey with Old Jim +and Tom Case were on their way to the cabin, +but they had to go slowly on account of so much +snow. +</p> +<p> +The snow was worse for Flossie and Freddie +than for any of the others in the woods, because +the legs of the small twins were so short. +It was hard work for them to wade through +the drifts. But they felt a little better after +their rest under the “Christmas tree,” as Flossie +called it, and after they had eaten some of their +lunch. So on they trudged again. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe we can find daddy’s lost Christmas +trees,” suggested Freddie, after a while. +</p> +<p> +“Wouldn’t he be glad if we did?” cried +Flossie. “Here, Rover! Come back!” she +called, for the dog was running too far ahead +to please her and Freddie. +</p> +<p> +The dog came racing back, scattering the +snow about as he plunged through it, and +Flossie patted his shaggy head. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span> +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you think we’ll find daddy pretty +soon?” asked Flossie, after she and Freddie +had trudged on for perhaps half an hour +longer. “I’m getting tired in my legs.” +</p> +<p> +“So’m I,” her brother admitted. “I wish +we could find ’em. But if we don’t, pretty +soon, we’ll go back, ’cause I think it’s going to +snow some more.” +</p> +<p> +Indeed, the sky seemed to be getting darker +behind the veil of snow clouds that hung over +it, and some swirling flakes of white began +sifting down. +</p> +<p> +Freddie came to a stop and looked about +him. He was tired, and so was Flossie. The +only one of the party who seemed to enjoy +racing about in the drifts was Rover. He +never appeared to get tired. +</p> +<p> +“I guess maybe we’d better go back,” said +Freddie, after thinking it over. “We haven’t +much left to eat, and I guess daddy can tell +Mrs. Bimby about the bear skin to keep her +warm.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess so,” agreed Flossie. “It’s going to +be night pretty soon.” +</p> +<p> +It would be some hours until night, however, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218'></a>218</span> +and the darkness was caused by gathering storm +clouds, but Flossie and Freddie did not know +that. They turned about, and began to go +back along the way they had come. At least +they thought they were doing that, but they +had not gone far before Flossie said: +</p> +<p> +“Freddie, we’ve come the wrong way.” +</p> +<p> +“How do you know?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“’Cause we aren’t stepping in our own tracks +like we would be if we went back straight.” +</p> +<p> +Freddie looked at the snow. It was true. +There was no sign of the tracks they must have +made in walking along. Before this they had +known which way they were going. Now they +didn’t. +</p> +<p> +“We—we’re lost!” faltered Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, maybe not,” said Freddie as cheerfully +as he could. But still, when he realized that +they had not walked along their back track, he +knew they must be going farther into the +woods, or at least away from Cedar Camp. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I don’t like to be lost!” wailed Flossie. +“I want to go home!” +</p> +<p> +Freddie did too, but he hoped he wouldn’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span> +cry about it. Boys must be brave and not cry, +he thought. +</p> +<p> +But as the little Bobbsey twins stood there, +not knowing what to do, it suddenly became +colder, the wind sprang up, and down came a +blinding storm of snow, so thick that they could +not see Rover, who, a moment before, had been +tumbling about in the drifts near them. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! Oh!” cried Flossie. “Let’s go home, +Freddie!” +</p> +<p> +But where was “home” or camp? How +were they to get there? +</p> +<p> +And so, soon after Bert had driven off the +wildcat and had run on, this Bobbsey lad, too, +was caught in the same snow storm that had +frightened Flossie and Freddie. But of course +Bert did not know that. +</p> +<p> +“Say, we’ve had enough snow for a winter +and a half already,” thought Bert, as he saw +more white flakes coming down. “And it isn’t +Christmas yet! I hope I’m not going to be +snowed in out here all alone! I’d better +hurry!” +</p> +<p> +As Bert trudged along through the storm +he found himself becoming thirsty. If you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span> +have ever walked a long distance, even in a +snowstorm, you may have felt the same way +yourself. And perhaps you have tried to +quench your thirst and cool your mouth by +eating snow. If you have, you doubtless remember +that instead of getting less thirsty you +were only made more so. This is what always +happens when a person eats snow. Ice is +different, if you hold pieces of it in your mouth +until it melts. +</p> +<p> +“My! I wish I had a drink,” exclaimed +Bert, speaking aloud, as he had done a number +of times since setting out alone to bring help +to Nan and Mrs. Bimby. “I wish I had a +drink of water!” +</p> +<p> +Now Bert Bobbsey knew better than to eat +dry snow. Once when he was a small boy, +smaller even than Freddie, he had been playing +out in the snow and had eaten it whenever he +felt thirsty. As a result he had been made ill. +</p> +<p> +“Never eat snow again, Bert,” his father +had told him at the time. And to make Bert +remember Mr. Bobbsey had read the boy a +story of travelers in the Arctic regions searching +for the North Pole. The story told how, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span> +no matter how tired or cold these travelers +were, they always stopped to melt the snow +and make water or tea of it when they were +thirsty. They never ate dry snow. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve either got to find a spring to get a +drink, or melt some of this snow,” said Bert +to himself, as he walked on, limping a little, +though his leg was feeling better than at first. +“But I guess if I did find a spring it would be +frozen over. Now how can I melt some +snow?” +</p> +<p> +Bert had been on camping trips with his +father, and he had often seen Mr. Bobbsey +make use of things he found beside the road +or in the woods to help out in a time of some +little trouble. With this in mind, the boy began +to look around for something that would +help him get a drink of water, or to melt some +snow into water which he could drink after +it had cooled. +</p> +<p> +But to melt snow needed a fire, he knew, +and also something that would hold the snow +before and after it was melted. +</p> +<p> +“I need a pan or a can and a fire,” decided +Bert. “I wonder if I have any matches?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222'></a>222</span> +</p> +<p> +He felt in his pockets and found some, +though he did not usually carry them, for they +are rather dangerous for children. But Bert +felt that he was now getting to be quite a boy. +</p> +<p> +“Well, here’s a start,” he said to himself as +he felt the matches in his pocket. But he did +not take them out, for the snow was blowing +about, and Bert knew that a wet match was as +bad as none at all. He must keep his matches +dry as the old settlers were advised to “keep +their powder dry.” +</p> +<p> +“If I could only make a fire,” thought Bert, +coming to a stop and looking about him at a +spot that looked as if it might once have been +a camp. All he could see was a waste of snow +and some trees. But wood for fires, he knew, +grew on trees, though any wood which could +be made to burn must be dry. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe I could scrape away some snow and +make a fire,” thought Bert. “The thing I need +most, though, is a tin can to hold snow and +water. Ouch! My leg hurts!” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +His leg, just then, seemed to get a “kink” in +it, as he said afterward. He kicked out, as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span> +football players do sometimes when their legs +get twisted. +</p> +<p> +As it happened, Bert kicked his foot into +a little pile of snow, and next he was surprised +to find that he had kicked something out. At +first it seemed to be a lump of ice, but as it +rolled a few feet and the snow fell away, the +boy found that he had kicked into view an +empty tin tomato can! +</p> +<p> +“Here’s luck!” cried Bert, as he sprang after +the can before it could be covered from sight +in the snow again. “This sure is luck! I can +melt some snow in this now!” +</p> +<p> +Taking the can in his hand he knocked it +against his shoe, thus getting rid of the snow +that filled it. The can was opened half way, +and the tin top was bent back, making a sort +of handle to it, which Bert was glad to see. +It would enable him without burning his fingers +to lift the can off the fire he intended to +build. +</p> +<p> +“All I need now is some dry wood, and I +can make a fire and melt snow to make water,” +he said aloud. “If I had some tea I could +make a regular hot drink, like they have up +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224'></a>224</span> +at the North Pole. But I guess water will be +all right. Now for some wood!” +</p> +<p> +He made his way over to a clump of trees +and, by kicking away the snow, he managed +to find some dead sticks. As the snow was +dry they were not very wet, but Bert feared +they were not dry enough to kindle quickly. +And he had only a few matches. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got some paper, though,” he told himself, +as lie felt in his pockets. “A little soft, +dry wood, and that, will start a fire and the +other wood will burn, even if it is a little +damp.” +</p> +<p> +One of the lessons Bert’s father had taught +him was to make a campfire, and Bert put +some of this instruction to use now. He +hunted about until he found a fallen log, and +by clearing away the snow at one end he revealed +a rotten end. This soft wood made +very good tinder, to start a fire. +</p> +<p> +The outer end of the rotten log was rather +damp. But by kicking away this latter, Bert +got at some wood that was quite dry—just +what he wanted. +</p> +<p> +He swung his foot that was not lame from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span> +side to side, clearing a place on the ground at +one side of the log, and there he laid his paper +and the wood to start his fire. +</p> +<p> +You may be sure Bert was very anxious as +he struck one of his few matches and held it +to the paper. He hardly breathed as he +watched the tiny flame. And then, all at once, +the blaze flickered out after it had caught one +edge of the paper! +</p> +<p> +“This is bad luck!” murmured Bert. “I’ve +got a few more chances, though.” +</p> +<p> +He crumpled up the paper in a different +shape, arranged it carefully under the pile of +splinters and rotten wood, and struck another +match. This time he made sure to hold in his +breath completely, for it was his breath before, +he feared, that had blown out the match. +</p> +<p> +This time the paper caught and blazed up +merrily. Bert wanted to shout and cry “hurrah!” +but he did not. The fire was not really +going yet, and he was getting more and more +thirsty all the while. It was all he could do +not to scoop up some of the dry snow and +cram it into his mouth. But he held back. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll have some water melted in a little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span> +while,” he told himself. “My fire is going +now.” +</p> +<p> +And, indeed, the tiny flame had caught the +soft wood and was beginning to ignite the +twigs. From them the larger and heavier +pieces of wood would catch, and then he could +set the can of snow on to melt into water. +</p> +<p> +Still hardly daring to breathe, Bert fed his +fire in the shelter of the half snow-covered +log. It was beginning to melt the snow all +around it now, but of course this melted snow +ran away and was lost. Bert could not drink +that. +</p> +<p> +When the fire was going well, Bert kicked +around on the ground under the log until he +found some stones. With these he made a +little fireplace, enclosing the blaze, and when he +had some embers there, with more wood at +hand to pile on, he brought the can to the fire +and scooped the tin full of snow. +</p> +<p> +“This is going to be my teakettle,” said +Bert, with a little smile. “Mother and Nan +would laugh if they could see me now.” +</p> +<p> +If you have ever melted a pan of snow on +even so good a fire as is in your mother’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span> +kitchen range, you know that snow melts very +slowly. It was this way with Bert. He thought +the snow in the can would never melt down +into water, and when it did, and was fairly +boiling, he took hold of the top and threw all +the water out! +</p> +<p> +Why did he do that? you ask. Well, because +he wanted to be sure the can was clean, +and his mother had told him that boiling water +would destroy almost any kind of germ. The +can might have had germs in it, having lain +outdoors a long time. +</p> +<p> +“But now I guess it’s clean,” Bert said, as +he again filled it with snow after he had rinsed +it out. Then he waited for the second quantity +of snow to melt, and when this had cooled, +which did not take very long, Bert took a drink. +The snow water did not taste very good—boiled +water very seldom does—but it was +safer than eating dry snow. +</p> +<p> +“Well, now I must travel on,” said Bert, as +he scattered snow over the fire to put it out. +“I’ll carry a little water with me in the can, +for I may get thirsty again. It won’t freeze +for a while.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span> +</p> +<p> +He walked along as fast as he could, with +the pain in his leg, but the snow came down +harder and faster and the wind blew colder. +Bert looked about for some place of shelter +and saw where one tree had blown over against +another, making a sort of little den, or cave, +near the side of a high rock, which was so +steep that the snow had not clung to it, leaving +the big stone bare. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll go in there and stay awhile,” thought +Bert, as he caught sight of this shelter. “Maybe +the storm won’t last long.” +</p> +<p> +But as he started to enter the place he heard +a growl! There was a scurrying in the dried +leaves that formed a carpet for the den, and +then, in the half-darkness, Bert saw two green +eyes staring at him! He smelled a wild odor, +too, that told him some beast of the forest +dwelt in this den. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! A wildcat!” cried Bert, as, a moment +later, there sprang out at him the same animal, +or one very like it, that he had snowballed a +little while before. Probably it was another +lynx, but Bert did not stop to think of this. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i004' id='i004'></a> +<img src="images/illus-228.jpg" alt="“OH, BERT!” CRIED FREDDIE, “WE’RE LOST!”" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>“OH, BERT!” CRIED FREDDIE, “WE’RE LOST!”</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span></div> +<p> +Forgetting his plan of using snowball bullets, +Bert dropped his little bundle of lunch, +part of which he had eaten, and began to climb +the nearest tree. +</p> +<p> +He learned then, if he did not know it before, +that a wildcat, which was the animal he +had surprised in its den, is a good tree-climber; +as good as your house cat, or even better. +</p> +<p> +When half way up the tree, Bert looked +down and saw the yellow wildcat coming after +him. Probably the animal thought that Bert +had no right near its den. +</p> +<p> +“This is bad!” thought Bert, as he climbed +higher and higher. Then, as he saw the beast +still coming, he realized that he must, somehow, +get away. He saw the big rock not far from +the tree. The rock had a small flat top, covered +with snow, but the sides were smooth and +almost straight up and down, and had no snow +on them. +</p> +<p> +“If I could get there the wildcat couldn’t +get me,” thought Bert. “And if it tries to +jump after me I can snowball it. I’m going +to get on the rock!” +</p> +<p> +It was the best plan he could think of, and +a moment later, having got in good position, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230'></a>230</span> +he gave a jump, left the tree, and landed in the +soft snow on top of the big rock. +</p> +<p> +With a snarl and a growl the wildcat stopped +climbing up as it saw what the boy had done. +Then it began climbing down the tree while +Bert, from his place of safety, watched. He +wondered what the bobcat would do. +</p> +<p> +The animal walked over to where Bert had +dropped his package of lunch and began tearing +at the paper. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe if he eats that he won’t want to get +me,” thought Bert. “But how long shall I have +to stay here?” +</p> +<p> +The wildcat, having eaten Bert’s lunch, which +did not take long, looked up at the boy on the +rock. It sniffed at the base of the big stone, +and reared up with its forepaws against it. +</p> +<p> +“You can’t climb here!” called Bert aloud. +“If you do I’ll hit you on the nose with snowballs!” +</p> +<p> +And then, as though to add to the boy’s +troubles, it began to snow hard, a wall of white +flakes falling around the lone laddie on the +big rock. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231'></a>231</span><a name='chXXII' id='chXXII'></a>CHAPTER XXII—FOUND AT LAST</h2> +<p> +Bert Bobbsey was really frightened and +alarmed, caught as he was in the storm on the +big rock, with a wildcat sniffing around at the +bottom. He could not even see well enough +to throw snowballs at the creature, and, even +if he could have driven it away, he felt that +it would not be safe for him to come down +off the big stone. +</p> +<p> +“He can’t get me while I’m up here, I don’t +believe,” said Bert to himself. “But I can’t +stay here very long, or I’ll be snowed under. +What shall I do?” +</p> +<p> +Indeed he was in what he said afterward +was a “regular pickle.” And then Bert thought +of calling for help. He wondered why he +had not done that before. +</p> +<p> +Standing up on the high rock Bert sent his +voice shouting out into the storm. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232'></a>232</span> +</p> +<p> +“Help! Help! Help!” he shouted. +</p> +<p> +Bert did not know just whom he expected +to help him. He did not know how far he was +from Mrs. Bimby’s cabin, nor how far he was +away from Cedar Camp. All he knew was +that he was in trouble and needed help. The +only way was to shout as loudly as he could. +</p> +<p> +At his first call the wildcat at the foot of +the rock snarled, growled, and tried to leap +up. But the sides were too steep and smooth. +Bert could catch glimpses of the animal when +the snow came down a little less heavily now +and again, making a sort of opening in the +white curtain. +</p> +<p> +“Help! Help! Help!” cried Bert again +and again. +</p> +<p> +Curiously enough it was Flossie and Freddie, +who in the blizzard had wandered near +to the rock, who heard Bert’s cry. Through +the storm the voice came to them, though of +course they did not know it was their brother +calling. +</p> +<p> +“Hark!” exclaimed Freddie, who, with his +sister, had been floundering about in the drifts, +the small Bobbsey twins trying to find their +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233'></a>233</span> +former tracks in the snow so they could work +their way back. But the flakes had fallen into +their footprints, and had been blown over them +so deeply that the prints were blotted out. +</p> +<p> +“Do you hear that?” asked Freddie of +Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” she answered, as the voice came to +her ears. “It’s somebody saying he’ll help us.” +</p> +<p> +That is what she thought it was—someone +wanting to help her and Freddie, not someone +in need of help. +</p> +<p> +Again came the call, and it sounded so close +that the two small Bobbsey twins knew which +way to go to reach it. +</p> +<p> +“We’re coming! We’re coming!” shouted +Freddie. “Come on, Rover! I guess that’s +daddy coming to help us! We’re coming!” +</p> +<p> +With a bark the dog bounded through the +storm after the two children, and you can imagine +how surprised Bert Bobbsey on the rock +was when he heard shouts in answer to his +own. He did not know, of course, that Freddie +and Flossie were anywhere near him. He +thought it was his father and some of the men +from Cedar Camp. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234'></a>234</span> +</p> +<p> +A little later the small Bobbsey twins came +within sight of the big rock. They could not +see Bert on it on account of the blinding snow. +But Rover caught the smell of the wildcat, and +with a savage bark he sprang to drive the +creature away. +</p> +<p> +“Good old Rover! Good dog!” cried Bert, +as the snow stopped for a moment and he +caught sight of the dog that he knew. “Sic +him, Rover!” +</p> +<p> +And Rover rushed at the wildcat with such +fierceness that the beast scuttled back to its +den under the half-fallen tree. And then Bert +looked and saw Flossie and Freddie. +</p> +<p> +At the same time the small Bobbsey twins +looked up and caught a glimpse of their brother +on the rock. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Bert!” cried Freddie, “did you come +out to look for us? We’re lost!” +</p> +<p> +“So am I, I guess,” Bert answered, as he +jumped down, landing in a bank of soft snow +and beginning to pet Rover. “Where in the +world did you children come from?” +</p> +<p> +“We came out after daddy and Mr. Jim and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235'></a>235</span> +Mr. Case,” Freddie went on. “They’re going +to take some things to Mrs. Bimby.” +</p> +<p> +“Mrs. Bimby!” cried Bert “Why, I left +her and Nan this morning. They haven’t got +hardly anything left to eat. But where is the +camp?” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you know?” asked Freddie. “We +don’t know. We’re lost.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s bad,” said Bert, looking at the +swirling snow all about. “And the wildcat ate +my lunch.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ve a little left,” Flossie said. “Did +you save any chestnuts, Bert?” +</p> +<p> +“I brought some, but I ate ’em. But Nan’s +got some, back at Mrs. Bimby’s cabin, if we +can find it. You say daddy started out after +us?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, to find you and Nan and take something +to Mrs. Bimby,” explained Freddie. +“Her husband was at our camp. He got lost +in the snow, and he said his wife didn’t have +anything in the cupboard.” +</p> +<p> +“She didn’t—not very much,” Bert said. “I +shot a rabbit, but I guess that’s all eaten now. +But say, you two oughtn’t to be out here alone!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236'></a>236</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’re not alone now,” Flossie said. “We +got you with us!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’m glad you met me,” Bert said. +“And I’m glad Rover drove that wildcat away. +I scared one with snowballs, but I couldn’t hit +this one very well. Now we’d better try to +get back to camp. I guess there’s going to be +another storm.” +</p> +<p> +“Will it snow a whole lot and cover us all +up?” asked Flossie, anxiously. +</p> +<p> +The poor little girl had had quite enough of +snow, cold wind, blizzards, and bad weather +of all sorts. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I guess maybe it won’t snow so very +hard,” answered Bert. He did not want to +confess to Flossie and Freddie that he was a +bit frightened. +</p> +<p> +“Maybe Rover could show us which way to +go to find Cedar Camp,” suggested Freddie. +“Dogs are smart, and Rover is a good dog.” +</p> +<p> +“He was nice to us when we sat under the +pine tree,” went on Flossie. “And he ran out +and brought in pine cones and he shook himself +and made snow fly all over me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237'></a>237</span> +</p> +<p> +“You didn’t try to eat pine cones, did you?” +asked Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, no,” Flossie answered. “We just +threw them for Rover to play with. But I’m +too tired to play now. I want to go to bed.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Flossie, you don’t want to go to bed +now, do you?” asked Bert. “Why, if you were +to lie down in the snow you’d freeze.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t want to go to sleep in the snow,” +Flossie said, and she was beginning to whine +a little. No wonder, for it had been a hard +day for her and Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“No, I don’t want to sleep in the snow,” the +little girl said. “I want my own little bunk +at the camp.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ll be there pretty soon,” Bert +said, as kindly as he could. +</p> +<p> +“Carry me!” begged Flossie, when she had +stumbled on a little farther, walking between +her two brothers. +</p> +<p> +“All right. I guess I can carry you,” said +Bert, but he was worrying about his leg a little. +It was not so bad when he bore his own weight +on it. But could he carry Flossie? +</p> +<p> +However, he was not going to give up without trying, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238'></a>238</span> +and so, when they came to a little +sheltered place, where the snow was not quite +so deep, Bert stooped down. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll take you pickaback, Flossie,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I like that!” laughed his sister, as she +climbed up on her brother’s back. +</p> +<p> +Bert was not sure whether or not he was +going to like it, but he said nothing. He had +to shut his teeth tight to keep from crying out +with pain as he straightened up with Flossie +on his back, for her weight, small as she was, +put too much weight on his injured leg. Flossie +was quite “chunky” for her size, as Dinah +was wont to say. +</p> +<p> +“Hold steady now, Flossie,” directed Bert, +as he straightened up. “Put your arms around +my neck.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess I know how to ride piggy-back!” +laughed Flossie. She was not so tired now, +when something like this happened to change +her thoughts. +</p> +<p> +Bert staggered along through the snow with +his sister on his back. Though he did not want +to say so, his leg hurt him very much. But he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239'></a>239</span> +tried not to limp, though Freddie at last noticed +it, and asked: +</p> +<p> +“Have you got a stone in your shoe, Bert?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, no, I—I just sprained it a little,” Bert +answered in a low voice, so Flossie would not +hear. For of course if she had known it hurt +her brother to carry her she would not ask him +to. But just then Flossie was reaching up to +take hold of a branch of a tree as Bert passed +beneath it. And, catching hold of it, Flossie, +with a merry laugh, showered herself and Bert +with snow that clung to the branch. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t, Flossie, dear!” Bert had to say. +“There’s snow enough without pulling down +any more. And we’ll get plenty if the clouds +spill more flakes.” +</p> +<p> +“Do you think it will storm some more?” +Freddie wanted to know. +</p> +<p> +Bert did not answer right away. He was +thinking what he could do about Flossie. If +she could not walk then she must be carried, +but he felt that he could not hold her on his +back much longer, his leg was paining too +much. +</p> +<p> +Just then the sight of Rover, the big, strong +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240'></a>240</span> +dog, floundering about in the snow, gave Bert +an idea. Rover did not seem to care how much +breath or strength he wasted, for he ran everywhere, +barking and trying to dig things out +from under the drifts. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Flossie! wouldn’t you like to ride on +Rover’s back?” asked poor, tired Bert. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that will be lovely!” cried the little +girl. +</p> +<p> +“Here, Rover!” cried Freddie. +</p> +<p> +The dog came leaping through the snow, very +likely hoping to have some sticks thrown that +he might race after them. But he did not seem +surprised when Flossie was placed on his back +and held there by Freddie on one side and +Bert on the other. +</p> +<p> +“Now I’m having a ride on a make-believe +elephant!” laughed Flossie. Rover could not +run with the little girl on his back, and I must +say he behaved very nicely, carrying her along +through the drifts. Her legs hung “dangling +down-o,” but that did not matter. +</p> +<p> +“I guess I’m rested now,” said Flossie, after +a bit. “I’m cold, and it will make me warmer +to walk. I’ll walk and hold your hand, Bert.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241'></a>241</span> +</p> +<p> +If Rover was glad to have the load taken +from his back he did not say so, but by the +way he raced on ahead when Flossie got off +I think he was. +</p> +<p> +“I guess there’s more snow coming,” suddenly +cried Bert. +</p> +<p> +There was, the flakes coming down almost +as thick and fast as when the blizzard first +swirled about Cedar Camp. Bert took the +hands of Flossie and Freddie and led them on +through the storm. It was hard work, and +the smaller children were crying with the cold +and from fear at the coming darkness when +Rover suddenly barked. +</p> +<p> +“Hark!” cried Bert. “I guess someone is +coming!” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe it’s daddy!” half sobbed Flossie. +</p> +<p> +Shouts were coming through the storm—the +shouts of men. Rover barked louder and +rushed forward. Bert held to the hands of +his brother and sister and peered anxiously +through the falling flakes and the fast-gathering +darkness. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly a man rushed forward, and, a moment +later, had Flossie and Freddie in his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242'></a>242</span> +arms, hugging and kissing them. Then he +clasped Bert around the shoulders. +</p> +<p> +“Daddy! Daddy!” cried Flossie and Freddie +together. “You found us, didn’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes. But I didn’t know you were away +from camp,” said Mr. Bobbsey, for it was he. +“Where’s Nan?” he asked Bert quickly, while +Rover leaped about his master, Mr. Case, and +Old Jim. +</p> +<p> +“She’s at Mrs. Bimby’s cabin,” Bert answered. +</p> +<p> +“My wife!” exclaimed Old Jim. “Is she—is +she all right?” +</p> +<p> +“She was when I came away this morning +to get help,” said Bert. “I shot a rabbit for +her and Nan. It was good, too. But I guess +she’ll need food now.” +</p> +<p> +“We have a lot for her,” said Tom Case. +“Rover, you rascal!” he went on, patting his +dog, “I wondered where you ran away to, but +it’s a good thing you found the children.” +</p> +<p> +“And he drove away the wildcat,” Bert announced. +</p> +<p> +It was a happy, joyful party in spite of the +storm, which was getting worse. Mr. Bobbsey +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243'></a>243</span> +and the two men with him had gotten off the +road that led to Old Jim’s cabin, and it was +because of that fact that they had found the +lost children. +</p> +<p> +“What had we better do?” asked Mr. Bobbsey, +when it was learned that Bert, Freddie +and Flossie had really suffered no harm from +being lost. “Should we go back to Cedar +Camp or to your cabin, Mr. Bimby?” +</p> +<p> +“The cabin is nearer,” said Tom Case. “If +you folks go there, with Jim to guide you, I’ll +back track to Cedar Camp and fetch a sled. +You can ride the Bobbsey twins home in that.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, we’d better go to my cabin,” said +Old Jim. “We can make room for you, and +we’ll take the food with us.” +</p> +<p> +So this plan was decided on, Tom Case and +Rover going to Cedar Camp for the sled, while +Mr. Bobbsey, Mr. Bimby and the three children +trudged back to Mrs. Bimby’s cabin. +</p> +<p> +You can imagine how glad Nan and the old +woman were to see not only Bert but the +others. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I was afraid when it began to storm +again,” said Nan, as she hugged Flossie and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244'></a>244</span> +Freddie. “But I never dreamed you two would +be out in it.” +</p> +<p> +“Nor I,” said their father. +</p> +<p> +“You ought to see the bear skin we found!” +exclaimed Freddie, to change the subject. “It’s +going to be for Mrs. Bimby, to keep her warm.” +</p> +<p> +“Bless their hearts!” murmured Old Jim’s +wife. “I can keep warm all right, but it’s +hard to get food in a storm.” +</p> +<p> +However, there was plenty of that now, and +they all soon gathered about the table and had +a hot meal. The second storm was not as bad +as the first had been, and later that evening +up came a big sled, filled with straw and drawn +by powerful horses, and in it was Mrs. Bobbsey +and some of the men from Cedar Camp. +</p> +<p> +After a joyful reunion, in piled the Bobbsey +twins with their father and mother, and good-byes +were called to the Bimby family, who now +had food enough to last through many storms. +</p> +<p> +There was not much trouble getting to Cedar +Camp, though the road was so blocked with +snow that once the sled almost upset. But +before midnight the Bobbsey twins were back +in the cabin, all safe together once again. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245'></a>245</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’ve had a lot of adventures since we +came here,” said Bert, as they sat about the +cozy fire. +</p> +<p> +“Too many,” remarked his mother. “I don’t +know when I’ve been so worried, and it was +worse after Flossie and Freddie went away.” +</p> +<p> +“We won’t run away again,” promised the +small twins. +</p> +<p> +“Did you find your Christmas trees, Daddy?” +asked Nan. +</p> +<p> +“No, not yet,” he replied. “I guess they’re +lost, and we’ll have to cut more.” +</p> +<p> +But the next day, when the storm ceased +and the sun shone, a man came to camp with +word about the missing trees. The railroad +cars on which they were loaded had been +switched off on a wrong track and had been +held at a distant station awaiting someone to +claim them. This Mr. Bobbsey did, and soon +the shipment of Christmas trees was on its +way to Lakeport. +</p> +<p> +“And as long as they are found there is no +excuse for staying in Cedar Camp any longer,” +said Mr. Bobbsey. +</p> +<p> +But the children like it so that they prevailed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246'></a>246</span> +on their father and mother to remain a few +days longer. And then the Bobbsey twins had +many good times, playing in the woods and +about the sawmill. For there came a thaw after +the big storms, and most of the snow melted. +Bert and Nan got more chestnuts, too. +</p> +<p> +“But I hope we’ll have some snow for Christmas,” +said Nan. +</p> +<p> +“So we can make a snow fort!” added +Freddie. +</p> +<p> +“And a snowman and knock his hat off!” +laughed Flossie. +</p> +<p> +“I should think you’d had enough snow,” +remarked their mother. +</p> +<p> +But the Bobbsey twins seldom had enough +of anything when there was fun and excitement +going, and you may be sure this was not +the last of their adventures. But now let us +say good-bye. +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p>THE END</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>This Isn’t All!</span> +</p> +<p> +Would you like to know what +became of the good friends you +have made in this book? +</p> +<p> +Would you like to read other +stories continuing their adventures +and experiences, or other books +quite as entertaining by the same +author? +</p> +<p> +On the <em>reverse side</em> of the wrapper +which comes with this book, +you will find a wonderful list of +stories which you can buy at the +same store where you got this book. +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>Don’t Throw Away the Wrapper</span> +</p> +<p> +Use it as a handy catalog of the books +you want some day to have. But in +case you do mislay it, write to the +Publishers for a complete catalog. +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Bobbsey Twins Books</span> +</p> +<p> +For Little Men and Women +</p> +<p> +By LAURA LEE HOPE +</p> +<p> +Author of “The Bunny Brown Series,” Etc. +</p> +<p> +Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. +</p> +<p> +These books for boys and girls between the ages of +three and ten stand among children and their parents of +this generation where the books of Louisa May Alcott +stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this inimitable +pair of twins, their many adventures and experiences +are a source of keen delight to imaginative children. +</p> +<p> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOWBROOK<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CHERRY CORNERS<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THEIR SCHOOLMATES<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS TREASURE HUNTING<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SPRUCE LAKE<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS’ WONDERFUL SECRET<br /> + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE CIRCUS<br /> +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='sc'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Bunny Brown Series</span> +</p> +<p> +By LAURA LEE HOPE +</p> +<p> +Author of the Popular “Bobbsey Twins” Books, Etc. +</p> +<p> +Illustrated. Each Volume Complete in Itself +</p> +<p> +These stories are eagerly welcomed by the little folks +from about five to ten years of age. Their eyes fairly dance +with delight at the lively doings of inquisitive little Bunny +Brown and his cunning, trustful Sister Sue. +</p> +<p> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on Grandpa’s Farm<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Playing Circus<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Camp Rest-A-While<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Aunt Lu’s City Home<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue in the Big Woods<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on an Auto Tour<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue and their Shetland Pony<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Giving a Show<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue in the Sunny South<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Keeping Store<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue and Their Trick Dog<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at a Sugar Camp<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on the Rolling Ocean<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on Jack Frost Island<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Shore Acres<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Berry Hill<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Skytop<br /> + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at the Summer Carnival<br /> +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='sc'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Honey Bunch Books</span> +</p> +<p> +By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE +</p> +<p> +Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations +</p> +<p> +Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to +know her is to take her to your heart at once. +</p> +<p> +Little girls everywhere will want to discover what interesting +experiences she is having wherever she goes. +</p> +<p> + HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP WEST<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST SUMMER ON AN ISLAND<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP TO THE GREAT LAKES<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP IN AN AIRPLANE<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE ZOO<br /> + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST BIG ADVENTURE<br /> +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='sc'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>The Sunny Boy Series</span> +</p> +<p> +By RAMY ALLISON WHITE +</p> +<p> +Children! Meet Sunny Boy, a little fellow with big eyes +and an inquiring disposition who finds the world at large +a wonderful place to live in. There is always something +doing when Sonny Boy is around. +</p> +<p> +In the first book of the series he visits his grandfather +in the country and learns of many marvelous things on a +farm, and in the other books listed below he has many exciting +adventures which every child will enjoy reading +about. +</p> +<p> + SUNNY BOY IN THE COUNTRY<br /> + SUNNY BOY AT THE SEASHORE<br /> + SUNNY BOY IN THE BIG CITY<br /> + SUNNY BOY IN SCHOOL AND OUT<br /> + SUNNY BOY AND HIS SCHOOLMATES<br /> + SONNY BOY AND HIS GAMES<br /> + SUNNY BOY IN THE FAR WEST<br /> + SUNNY BOY ON THE OCEAN<br /> + SUNNY BOY WITH THE CIRCUS<br /> + SUNNY BOY AND HIS BIG DOG<br /> + SUNNY BOY IN THE SNOW<br /> + SUNNY BOY AT WILLOW FARM<br /> + SUNNY BOY AND HIS CAVE<br /> + SUNNY BOY AT RAINBOW LAKE<br /> +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='sc'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>Children of All Lands</span> +</p> +<p> +By MADELINE BRANDEIS +</p> +<p> +Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. +</p> +<p> +Fact and fancy are so blended in these charming stories +and the manners and customs of other lands are so interwoven +with the plots that reading and learning becomes +a joy. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>Mitz and Fritz of Germany</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A little German boy and his sister travel in a gypsy wagon through +the beautiful Rhine country and have the most glorious adventure +of their lives. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>Little Anne of Canada</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A fascinating story of a little girl who had many adventures in +the lumber camps of the great Canadian Northwoods. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Little Mexican Donkey Boy</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A charming story of a Mexican boy hero named Dodo, or Sleepy-head, +and his funny little Mexican burro, Amigo. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>Little Philippe of Belgium</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +How little Philippe wandered all over Belgium looking for the +mysterious pair, Tom and Zelie, makes a thrilling story. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>Shaun O’day of Ireland</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A very beautiful story of Irish children and through which run +many legends of Old Ireland. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>Little Jeanne of France</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Every child will love this story of French children, laid in the +most marvelous city in the world, Paris. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Little Dutch Tulip Girl</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Tom, a little American boy, dreamed about going to Holland. +In his dreams he met Katrina, the little Dutch Tulip Girl, who +turned out to be a real honest-to-goodness girl. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Little Swiss Wood Carver</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +This is the absorbing tale of how Seppi, the ambitious Swiss lad, +made his dream of becoming a skillful wood carver come true. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Wee Scotch Piper</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +The story of how the music-loving Ian, the young son of a Scotch +shepherd, earned his longed-for bag pipes and his musical education. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Little Indian Weaver</span> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +This is an appealing story of a little Navajo girl, Bah, and a little +freckle-faced white boy, Billie. +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='sc'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK +</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp, by Laura Lee Hope + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 37554-h.htm or 37554-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/5/37554/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + +Release Date: September 28, 2011 [EBook #37554] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration: FLOSSIE AND FREDDIE WATCH THE MEN AT THE SAWMILL. +_Frontispiece_ (_Page 92_)] + + The Bobbsey Twins + at Cedar Camp + + BY + + LAURA LEE HOPE + + AUTHOR OF "THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES," "THE + BUNNY BROWN SERIES," "THE OUTDOOR GIRLS + SERIES," "THE SIX LITTLE BUNKER + SERIES," ETC. + + _ILLUSTRATED_ + + NEW YORK + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS + + Made in the United States of America + + + + + BOOKS BY LAURA LEE HOPE + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN WASHINGTON + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP + + THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES + + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE + BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNNY SOUTH + + THE SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES + + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S + SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES + (Ten titles) + + Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York + + + + + Copyright, 1921, by + Grosset & Dunlap + + _The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp_ + + + + + CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. Freddie's Surprise 1 + II. Locked Up 12 + III. Thanksgiving 24 + IV. Bert in Danger 34 + V. Christmas Trees 42 + VI. Off To Cedar Camp 54 + VII. In the North Woods 65 + VIII. A Nutting Party 72 + IX. Sawmill Fun 87 + X. A Sudden Storm 100 + XI. Old Mrs. Bimby 109 + XII. Mr. Bobbsey Is Worried 120 + XIII. Old Jim 128 + XIV. Snowed In 137 + XV. A Bare Cupboard 145 + XVI. Bert Starts Out 156 + XVII. Trying Again 165 + XVIII. A Little Searching Party 175 + XIX. The Wildcat 183 + XX. Snowball Bullets 198 + XXI. On the Rock 213 + XXII. Found at Last 231 + + + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP + + + + +CHAPTER I--FREDDIE'S SURPRISE + + +Very still and quiet it was in the home of the Bobbsey twins. There was +hardly a sound--that is, of course, except that made by four figures +tiptoeing around through the halls and different rooms. + +"Hush!" suddenly exclaimed Bert Bobbsey. + +"Hush!" echoed his sister Nan. + +They were two of the twins. + +Again came the shuffling noise made by tiptoeing feet on the front +stairs. + +"Quiet now, Flossie and Freddie!" whispered Bert. "Go easy, and don't +make a racket!" + +He turned toward Nan, who was carrying something in a paper that rattled +because of its stiffness. + +"Can't you be quieter?" asked Bert. + +"It isn't me--it's this paper," Nan answered. "I should have taken some +of the tissue kind." + +"I wish you had," Bert went on. "But it's too late now. We're almost +there. As soon as we get everything hidden it will be all right." + +Suddenly there was a sound behind Bert and Nan as though someone were +choking. It was followed by a smothered laugh. + +"What's that?" asked Bert in a sharp whisper. "Do you want to have +everybody in the house down here seeing what we're doing? Who did that?" + +He spoke a bit sharply, in a tense whisper, but his voice was not really +cross. It was as though Bert were the leader of some secret band of +soldiers or of Indians, and wanted the men to do just as he had told +them. + +"Who did that?" he asked again. + +"I--I guess I did," answered the voice of his little sister Flossie. + +"What did you do?" asked Nan. "You must try to be quiet, dear, else our +fun will be spoiled. Better take sister's hand." + +"Holdin' your hand won't do any good," answered Flossie, and though she +tried to talk in a whisper it was rather a loud one. "Your hand can't +stop makin' me sneeze," Flossie went on. "Can it?" + +"Oh, did you sneeze, dear?" asked Nan, who, since she and Bert were +"growing up," felt that she must take a little more motherly care of +Flossie. + +"Yes, I did sneeze," Flossie answered. "An' maybe I'll sneeze more +again. I feel so, anyhow." + +"Don't you dare!" exclaimed Bert. + +"She didn't sneeze! Not a reg'lar sneeze!" declared Freddie, who was +carrying a cigar box. Did I mention that Freddie and Flossie were the +other pair of Bobbsey twins? I meant to, anyhow. + +"If she didn't sneeze, what did she do?" asked Nan. + +"I did sneeze!" insisted Flossie. + +"You did not!" asserted Freddie. "You----" + +"Hush! Hush!" cautioned Bert. "You'll spoil everything!" + +But Freddie was not to be shut off in that way. He came to a stop in the +hall, along which the two pairs of twins were tiptoeing their way +through the house, and in the half-darkness, for the light was turned +low, he pointed his fat, chubby forefinger at Flossie, holding, the +while, his cigar box under his other arm. + +"She did not sneeze--not a reg'lar, full, fair sneeze!" he declared. +"She put her hand over her mouth an' she choked, an' she made more noise +'n if she had sneezed. Guess I know what she done!" + +"_Did_, dear! _Did!_" corrected Nan. "You must use right words now that +you are in regular classes at school and are out of the kindergarten. +_Did_--not _done_." + +"Well, Flossie _did_ snort and she _did not_ done sneeze," went on the +fat little "fireman," as his father sometimes called him. + +"I--I could 'a' sneezed if I'd wanted to," said Flossie. "Only I've an +awful loud sneeze, I have. It's louder'n yours, Freddie Bobbsey." + +"'Tis not!" declared Freddie. "You wait till I tickle my nose, an' I'll +sneeze an' I'll show you! I'll show you who can sneeze loudest!" + +"No, you will not!" said big brother Bert kindly, but firmly. "You two +youngsters must keep quieter, or we can't do what we're going to do. Nan +and I will take you back upstairs and mother will make you go to bed! +There!" + +This was such a dreadful threat, especially as Flossie and Freddie had +been allowed to stay up past their regular bedtime hour on their promise +to be good, that they at once quieted down. + +With Bert and Nan in the lead, the smaller Bobbsey twins followed their +older brother and sister. Bert reached a door opening into a large +closet near the kitchen. It was in this closet that the children were to +hide the things they were carrying, and why they were going to do this +you will soon learn. + +But just as Bert was about to open the closet door, Flossie gave a +little wriggle, and, pulling her hand away from Nan--the hand that did +not hold a package--the little Bobbsey girl whispered: + +"It--it's goin' to be some more, Nan!" + +"What is, dear?" + +"My--my ker--snee----!" + +The rest was a sort of gurgle, choke, and cough mingled with a sneeze. +Flossie had covered her mouth and nose with one hand, and thus tried not +to make as much noise as she otherwise would. + +"Say! everything will be spoiled," declared Bert. "I never saw such +children! We ought to 'a' made them hide their things this afternoon!" + +"Flossie can't help it," said Nan kindly. "Maybe she is catching cold. I +must tell mother to give her some medicine." + +"'Tisn't cold," declared Flossie. "It's some dust got up my nose. There +was dust in the closet where Freddie made me crawl to get him a cigar +box." + +"What did he want of a cigar box?" asked Nan. + +"Don't tell!" cautioned Freddie. "You promised you wouldn't tell, +Flossie Bobbsey!" + +"All right, I won't," she promised. "Anyhow, I don't know, 'cause you +didn't tell me. But I got him a box, an' it was dusty an' it makes me +sneeze an'----" + +"That's enough of this sneezing!" declared Bert. "Let's hide what we +have and get out. Dinah's in the kitchen now, and if she hears us +scuffling around she'll open the door and see us and she'll think +something is going to happen." + +"Well, something _is_ going to happen," whispered Nan, with a smile. But +you could not see the smile because it was rather dark in the hall. +"To-morrow is Dinah's birthday, and, oh! won't she be surprised?" + +"She'll be more surprised," said Freddie, though neither Bert nor Nan +knew just what he meant just then. Later they did. + +True enough, it was the birthday of Dinah Johnson, the fat, jolly, +good-natured colored cook of the Bobbsey family, which included the four +twins. Dinah's birthday was always celebrated, especially by the twins, +who always brought out their presents as a sort of surprise. + +This time they were bringing them down from their rooms the night before +the birthday, to hide the things in a big closet near the kitchen. + +Thus the gifts would be ready the first thing in the morning, to give to +Dinah at the breakfast table, when daddy would call her in from the +kitchen to be surprised. + +It was Bert's plan thus to hide the things ahead of time, and Flossie +and Freddie, of course, had begged to be allowed to take part. + +"I guess she didn't hear anything," said Bert, after listening a moment, +for Dinah was still in the kitchen, finishing her day's work. "The +door's shut," Bert added. "Now then," he went on, after a pause, "let's +hide our things and go back upstairs. Pass yours to me, Nan." + +The older Bobbsey girl did so, and just as Bert had put away his present +and hers, there was a loud sound behind him. + +"What's that?" sharply whispered Bert. + +"It was Freddie," answered Flossie. "An' he didn't sneeze--not at all." + +"I stumbled," answered Freddie. "I'm sorry!" + +"Well, it's too late for that. But I guess Dinah didn't hear," Bert +said, listening a moment. "Pass me your present, Freddie, and I'll hide +it with mine." + +"I'll hide it myself," said the little fellow, and he made his way to +the closet, squirming between Nan and Flossie. + +"Oh, well, do as you please," Bert agreed. And thus it was that none of +the others saw Freddie put two packages in the closet instead of one. +One package was his regular present for Dinah. The other was---- + +But just a moment, if you please. I want to tell this story as it should +be told. + +Anyhow, Freddie slipped two packages into the closet without letting +Bert see him. One package was a cigar box, tied with a string, and a +queer scratching noise seemed to come from within it. + +"There! Now everything is hid," said Bert, when Flossie's package had +been put on the shelf. "Now I'll lock the door, for mother gave me the +key, and Dinah can't open it. In the morning we'll give out the birthday +presents." + +The Bobbsey twins thought that morning would never come, but it did at +last, and Dinah knew nothing of their secrets, they felt sure. With +eagerness the four children assembled at the breakfast table. + +"Call Dinah in, Daddy, and let us give her the things," begged Nan. + +"I want to give mine first!" insisted Freddie. + +"And me next," said Flossie. + +Fat Dinah came waddling in, her face all smiles. + +"I 'clar to goodness! Whut's gwine on now?" she asked. "Did I forgots to +make de coffee, or am de toast burned?" + +Dinah pretended to be very much alarmed, but I think she knew why she +had been called in. At least she knew something of what was going to +happen, but not all. She must have known it was her birthday, and the +children always gave her something on such occasions. + +"Dinah, please sit down a moment," said Mr. Bobbsey, trying not to +smile. "I think Freddie has something to say to you." + +"I--I got something to give you, Dinah!" cried the little fellow, +hurrying out to the closet, which Bert had unlocked. + +"Bress yo' heart, honey lamb! Has yo' got suffin' fo' ole Dinah?" she +asked with a kind smile. + +"You--you'll be s'prised," said Freddie, as he handed the fat black cook +a cigar box, tied with string. + +"Why, Freddie!" exclaimed Nan. "That isn't your present! Yours is +wrapped in blue paper. Don't you remember? I wrapped it up for you." + +"I'll give Dinah _that_ present in a minute!" said Freddie, his eyes +shining. "I have _two_ for her!" + +"Bress his heart!" murmured the cook, as she fumbled with the string. + +A moment later it came off, and as the cover of the box flew open out +jumped a fat little gray mouse! + +"Oh, my! Oh, mah good lan'!" screamed Dinah. "Oh, a mouse! A mouse!" and +she jumped up in such a hurry that she knocked over the chair on which +she had been sitting. + + + + +CHAPTER II--LOCKED UP + + +"Get him! Get him!" cried Bert Bobbsey, making a dive for the little +mouse. + +"Oh, don't let him come near me!" screamed Nan, as she left her seat and +hurried over toward her mother. + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. "To be frightened at a poor little +mouse!" + +The mouse ran under one chair after another, and circled around beneath +the dining room table. + +"Where's Snoop?" cried Bert, stooping down to watch which way the mouse +ran. "Get Snoop in to catch the mouse!" + +"Don't let him get me!" begged Flossie, and she ran over to Nan. + +"Children, be quiet!" commanded Mr. Bobbsey. "All this excitement over a +little mouse! Freddie, you did very wrong to put a mouse in a box and +give it to Dinah for a birthday present!" and he spoke rather sternly to +the little fellow. + +"Am dat mouse mah birfday present?" asked the fat cook, who was huddled +against the wall. "If it is I don't want it nohow!" + +Isn't it queer how frightened some women and girls are of a mouse? I +wonder why that it is? Anyhow, Nan, Flossie and Dinah seemed much +frightened, while Bert was more interested in seeing which way the +little gray creature ran. + +"Get Snoop! Where is Snoop?" asked Bert, calling for the family cat. +"Snoop will love to chase this mouse!" + +"I help you catch my mouse for Snoop!" offered Freddie. + +He had stood, eagerly waiting, to see what would happen when Dinah +opened his extra present box. And enough had happened to satisfy even +fun-loving Freddie. + +"Here, I'll fix that mouse!" cried Mr. Bobbsey. "Let it alone, Bert. +I'll drive it out!" + +Mr. Bobbsey picked up a small open glass salt dish from the table, and +was about to throw it at the mouse under the table. + +"Don't do that," said his wife. + +"Why not?" asked Mr. Bobbsey, holding the salt dish in readiness. + +"Because you'll spill the salt and it will have to be cleaned up." + +"I'll get the mouse!" cried Freddie. "I'll get him!" + +He ran over to the goldfish tank in one corner of the room. On the table +on which the tank rested was a tiny net of cloth on a handle and wire +frame. Bert used the net to lift out the fish when he wanted to clean +the tank, which he intended doing that day. + +"I'll catch the mouse under this!" cried Freddie, grabbing up the little +net and trying to dive under the table. But the little fellow slipped, +and knocked over a chair. It happened to fall on Flossie's foot. +Instantly the small Bobbsey girl set up a cry. + +"Oh! Oh, Freddie Bobbsey! Now look what you did! My toenails is all +broken! Oh! Oh!" + +"Hush! Hush!" begged Mother Bobbsey, hugging Flossie. + +"Oh, mah good lan'!" exclaimed Dinah, "I neber did see such a birfday as +dish yeah! Nebber in all mah born days!" + +Bert caught up his aluminum napkin ring and threw it across the room as +the mouse made a dart toward the door leading into the kitchen. + +"There he goes!" cried Bert. "No use getting Snoop now!" + +"Well, I'm glad the creature is out of the way!" said Mrs. Bobbsey, with +a sigh of relief. "Now, Freddie, what possessed you to do a thing like +that--to give Dinah a mouse for her birthday?" + +"And where did you get it?" asked Bert. "I should think you'd be afraid +of it, Freddie." + +"He was in the box, and I shut the cover down quick--like that"--Freddie +clapped his hands together--"and I ketched him." + +"You should say 'caught,'" murmured Nan. "Your teacher wouldn't like to +have you say 'ketched,' Freddie." + +"Well, I--I got him, anyhow," Freddie went on. "An' I tied some string +around the box and I kept the mouse and I thought maybe Dinah would +laugh an'--an'----" + +Freddie looked around the room. All too much had happened from his +little surprise. The whole place was in confusion. + +"If dey is any mo' birfday presents like _dat_," said Dinah, "I reckon I +better go!" + +"Oh, no!" exclaimed Nan. "Mine is a nice one, Dinah!" + +"So's mine!" echoed Flossie. + +"An' I've another!" added Freddie. "I'm sorry I scared you, Dinah." + +"Well, we'll forgive you this time," said his father. "Bring out the +other presents now." + +And while this is being done I will take just a moment to tell my new +readers something about the children who are to be the main characters +in this story. + +If you have read the first book of this series, called "The Bobbsey +Twins," you have learned that Mr. Bobbsey had a lumber business in the +eastern city of Lakeport, on Lake Metoka. Bert and Nan were the two +older twins. They had dark brown hair and brown eyes and were rather +tall and slim. The younger Bobbsey twins were Flossie and Freddie. They +were somewhat short and stout, and had light hair and blue eyes. The +children had many good times together and with their playmates, Grace +Lavine, Charlie Mason, Dannie Rugg, Nellie Parks and Ruth Nelson. They +also had fun with Snoop, their pet cat, and with Snap, their dog. + +There are a number of books coming between the first volume and the one +just before this. The Bobbsey twins went to the country to visit Uncle +Daniel, and at the seashore they stayed with Uncle William. Besides +these trips the four children made a voyage on a houseboat, visited a +great city, camped on Blueberry Island, went to Washington, and made a +trip at sea. They had, a week or so before celebrating Dinah's birthday, +returned home after some exciting times out West. + +You may read about these last adventures in the book just before this +present volume. It is called "The Bobbsey Twins in the Great West," and +it tells how Bert, Nan, Flossie and Freddie helped solve a strange +mystery about an old man. + +It was now fall, and on their return from the West the Bobbsey twins had +started to school again. Bert and Nan had gone into a higher grade, and +Flossie and Freddie, though they were still the babies of the family, +were now somewhat advanced at school, and were in regular classes, +attending morning and afternoon, instead of going just in the morning, +as they had done while they were still in the kindergarten. + +One of the first affairs the Bobbsey twins had taken part in since their +return from the West had been Dinah's birthday celebration. Each of the +children had bought the cook, of whom they were very fond, a present, +but Freddie had provided an extra one, as we have seen. + +"Don't ever do it again, Freddie!" cautioned his father, when quiet had +once more settled over the household. + +"I won't, Daddy," he promised. + +"Then you may give Dinah her regular present," said Mother Bobbsey. + +Freddie handed the cook a package wrapped in blue paper. + +"Is yo' suah dey isn't no mouse in dis?" asked Dinah, pretending to be +frightened. + +"No mouse!" Freddie assured her. "You open it!" + +And when Dinah had done so she found a bottle of perfume, which, she +declared, was "jest de sweetest kind what ebber was!" It was exactly +what she had wished for, she said. + +Then the other presents were given to her. Nan's was a pocketbook, and +Bert's a pair of comfortable slippers. Flossie handed Dinah a gay, red +silk handkerchief. + +"An' when I puts pufume on _dat_, an' walks out, everybody'll be wishin' +dey was me!" declared the fat, black cook. "Dish suah am a lovely +birfday!" + +There were presents, also, from Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey, and when she had +admired everything, and thanked them all, Dinah finished bringing in the +breakfast. They all laughed at Freddie's mouse, and he told how he had +caught it. + +He had had some nuts in a cigar box, and the day before, coming softly +up to it, he had seen a little mouse nibbling away among the nuts and +shells. As quick as a wink Freddie clapped the cover down, and had +caught the mouse fast. Then, without saying anything to anyone about it, +he had given it to Dinah. + +"Come on, Bert, or we'll be late for school!" called Nan, as she +finished her breakfast. + +"I'll be right with you," her brother answered. "If Charlie Mason calls +tell him to wait. He and I are going fishing this afternoon." + +"Can I come?" asked Freddie. "I'll help dig worms." + +"Not now," Bert answered. "Maybe to-morrow." + +"You wait for me, Freddie!" called Flossie. + +"Yes, I'll wait," he promised. + +Soon the Bobbsey twins were on their way to school. Bert walked with +Charlie Mason and Dannie Rugg, while Grace Lavine and Nellie Parks +strolled along with Nan. + +"Did you bring your skipping rope?" asked Grace of Nan. Grace was very +fond of this fun, though once she had jumped too much and had been taken +ill. + +"No, I didn't bring it," Nan answered. "I brought a new bean bag, +though, and we can play that at recess." + +"Oh, that'll be fun!" cried Nellie. + +Bert and Charlie were talking about the best place to go fishing. And +the younger Bobbsey twins were talking about something else. + +"If he does it again to-day, you tell me an' I'll fix him," said Freddie +to Flossie. + +"I will," his golden-haired sister answered. "Will you make him stop, +Freddie?" + +"Sure I will! You come and tell me!" + +"What is it you are going to do?" asked Nan of her smaller brother and +sister. But just then the warning bell rang and they all had to run so +they would not be late, and Nan forgot about what she had overheard. + +At recess there were jolly times in the school playground. Some of the +boys got up a baseball game, and others played marbles, leapfrog or +mumble-the-peg. The girls skipped rope or tossed bean bags, while some +played different kinds of tag. It was cool, so that running about and +jumping made one feel fine. + +Suddenly from the lower end of the playground, near the shed where the +janitor kept his brooms, a lawnmower, and other things, came a cry of +alarm. + +"That's Flossie!" exclaimed Nan, pausing in the midst of a bean bag +game. "Something's the matter!" + +She caught sight of Flossie and Freddie in some sort of a battle with +Nick Malone, one of the "bad" boys of the school. Flossie and Freddie +seemed to be having a fight with Nick. + +However, the battle was soon over. Before Nan reached the scene or could +call to Bert to come to her help, Nick disappeared, and Flossie and +Freddie, each laughing, ran over to the other side of the yard. + +"Oh, I guess they are all right," said Nan, as she stopped running and +turned back. + +Then the bell rang to call the children in from their play, and they +took their places in long lines. A little later Bert and Nan were in +their room, saying their lessons, and Flossie and Freddie were with +their classmates, getting ready to recite in geography. + +Miss Snell, their teacher, looked over the room. She noticed one vacant +seat. + +"Where is Nick?" asked Miss Snell. "He was here before recess. Did +anyone see him go home?" + +No one answered for a moment, and then Flossie raised her little, fat, +chubby hand. + +"Yes, Flossie, what is it?" asked Miss Snell, with a smile. + +"Nick didn't go home," said the little girl. "He--he's out in the yard." + +"Out in the yard?" exclaimed the teacher. "He should come in!" + +"If you please, he can't," said Freddie suddenly. "He's locked up! I +locked him up!" + + + + +CHAPTER III--THANKSGIVING + + +Miss Snell was not quite sure that she understood Freddie Bobbsey. She +looked at the little twin, smiled to make him understand that she was +not cross, and said: + +"What did you do to Nick, Freddie?" + +"I locked him up," Freddie answered. "In the tool shed. I have the key, +too," and, marching up to Miss Snell's desk he laid on it a large key. + +"You locked Nick in the tool shed!" repeated the surprised teacher. +"Why, Freddie Bobbsey! what a strange thing to do. Why did you do it?" + +"He pulled my hair," Flossie explained. "I mean Nick did. He pulled it +yesterday, too, and I told Freddie and Freddie said he would make Nick +stop." + +"Yes, go on, please," urged Miss Snell, as Flossie grew silent. + +"Well, when he pulled it again to-day," resumed the little girl, "I +hollered for Freddie and we hit Nick and he hit us and we pushed him +into the shed and--and----" + +"I locked the door!" finished Freddie. "You can hear him hollerin' to +get out," he added. "Listen!" + +The windows had been opened to freshen the air in the classroom, and as +silence followed Freddie's last remark Miss Snell and the children could +plainly hear, coming from the shed, the voice of someone calling: + +"Let me out! Let me out!" + +"That's Nick," calmly explained Freddie. "But I'm not going to let him +out 'cause he pulled Flossie's hair." + +"Well, of course, he shouldn't do that," said Miss Snell. "But you +should not have locked him in, Freddie. I shall have to tell the +principal and get him to let Nick out." + +The eyes of Flossie and Freddie grew big as the teacher said this. The +eyes of the other children opened wide also. To have to tell "the +principal" anything meant that it was very serious. + +"But I am sure you did not mean to do wrong," Miss Snell added, as she +saw that Freddie and Flossie looked rather frightened. "It will be all +right, I'll have the principal let Nick out. You may look over your +geography lesson while I am gone. I want you to tell me, when I come +back, what is a river, a lake, and an island." + +"We know about a island," said Flossie in a loud whisper. "Once we +camped on Blueberry Island, didn't we, Freddie?" + +"Yep!" he answered. "An' I fell in!" + +"Well, you may tell us about that later," and Miss Snell tried not to +laugh. "But don't talk any more in school; and study your lesson while I +go to Mr. Nixon's office." + +While Miss Snell was out of the room I do not believe much studying was +done by Flossie, Freddie or any of their classmates. They all listened +as, through the open window, came the cries of Nick Malone calling: + +"Let me out! Let me out!" + +"I locked him in--'cause he pulled Flossie's hair!" declared Freddie, +and Freddie was looked upon as quite a hero by the boys and girls in his +room. + +By standing up, Flossie, Freddie and the others in their class could see +the tool shed. And the children stood up and looked out as Miss Snell +and the principal went to release the locked-up boy. He came out crying, +and seemed frightened. But he soon quieted down, and promised never +again to pull Flossie's hair, while Freddie was made to promise never +again to lock anyone in the tool shed. + +"Tell your teacher, or tell me, when anyone plagues your sister, +Freddie," the principal said. + +"Yes'm--I mean yes, sir," Freddie answered. + +Neither he nor Flossie had any more trouble with the "bad" boy, about +whose teasing they had talked on their way to school that morning. I +think, after being locked up, that Nick was afraid of Freddie. At any +rate, Flossie's hair was not again pulled. + +"Our smaller twins are growing up," said Mr. Bobbsey to his wife at home +that night, when the story of what had happened in school had been told +at the supper table. + +"Yes," agreed Mrs. Bobbsey. "Our little 'fireman' and our 'fat fairy' +will soon be almost as big as Bert and Nan." Fireman and fairy were the +pet names for the smaller Bobbsey twins. But they were getting almost +too old for pet names now. + +The weeks passed, and the weather grew colder, though, as yet, no snow +had appeared. Freddie and Flossie, who had gotten out their sleds soon +after coming home from the West, looked at the sky anxiously each day. + +"Do you think it will ever snow?" asked Flossie of her mother. "I want +to go coasting." + +"So do I, and skating, too," Freddie added. + +"Oh, there is still plenty of time for it to snow this winter," said +their mother. "Why, it isn't Thanksgiving yet." + +"Oh, that's so!" exclaimed Freddie. "Thanksgiving is coming, an' we'll +have cranberry sauce an' turkey!" + +"An' pie an' cake!" cried Flossie. + +"Thanksgiving is not meant only for feasting," said their mother. "It is +a time for being thankful for all your blessings. It is a time, also, to +think of the poor, and to try to help them." + +"I wish we could help some poor," said Flossie. "Is it fun, Mother?" + +"Well, I don't know that you would call it fun," her mother replied, +with a smile, "though it gives more pleasure than many things that you +do call 'fun'. Just try it and see." + +Rather thoughtful, Flossie and Freddie went out together. It was the +Saturday before Thanksgiving and they did not have to go to school. They +each had two cents to spend, and it was while going down the street to +the nearest candy store that they passed the home of Miss Alicia +Pompret. + +"Hello, Bobbsey twins!" called Miss Pompret to Flossie and Freddie. + +"Hello!" answered the blue-eyed little boy and girl. They knew Miss +Pompret quite well, since Bert and Nan had, on their trip to Washington, +discovered some of the elderly lady's missing valuable china. Miss +Pompret was what some people would call "rich," and she had offered a +reward for the finding of her rare sugar-bowl and milk-pitcher. It was +these pieces that Nan had, by chance, seen in a secondhand store window, +and Miss Pompret paid the older Bobbsey twins the reward, which they +turned in to charity. + +"Are you going to the store for your mother?" asked Miss Pompret of +Flossie and Freddie, as they paused at her door. + +"We're going to the store for ourselves," Freddie answered. + +"We have two cents apiece," added his sister. + +"Oh, I see!" laughed the elderly, maiden lady. "Well, on your way would +you mind stopping at the grocer's and telling him he hasn't yet sent the +barrel of flour, the barrel of potatoes, and the ten hams I ordered. +Tell him I expect them to-day." + +"My! you're gettin' a lot of stuff, Miss Pompret," said Flossie. + +"Well, you see, I am going to give a large dinner to a number of poor +people for Thanksgiving," said Miss Pompret, "and I want some things for +them to take home with them. That's why I'm ordering so much." + +"For the poor!" murmured Freddie. + +"Yes, dear," went on the lady. "You know Thanksgiving is not meant to +see how much we can eat, but to think of our blessings and help other +persons to have blessings that they may be thankful for." + +"That's what mother said," remarked Flossie. "Yes'm, we'll stop at the +grocery for you." + +"Thank you," called Miss Pompret. + +Then, as she and Freddie walked on, Flossie turned to her brother and +said: + +"Freddie, didn't we ought to do something for the poor?" + +"Maybe we ought," he agreed. "But who is poor?" + +"Anybody that has ragged clothes is poor," observed Flossie. "We could +give 'em some of our clothes, 'cause I've got so many my closet is +full." + +"I've two pair of pants," observed Freddie. "I don't need but one, I +guess. But you can't eat clothes, Flossie." + +"I know it, but you have to have clothes when it's cold. And it maybe +will snow for Thanksgiving. Oh, Freddie! we could give our two cents to +somebody poor for Thanksgiving!" Flossie's eyes were shining with +delight. + +"Yes, we could do that," said Freddie, slowly. "But you can't get much +clothes for two cents and not much to eat, I don't guess." + +Flossie thought this over for a moment, and then her face lighted up. + +"I know what we can do!" she said. "We can look for some poor ragged +people, and take them to our house for Thanksgiving. Mother or father +could give them some clothes and they could have some of our turkey. +Daddy and mother have some dressings, too, like Miss Pompret said." + +"She didn't say '_dressings_,'" objected Freddie. "It's '_blessings_,' +like you get in Sunday-school." + +"Oh," said Flossie. "Well, we could get some for the poor. Let's do it, +Freddie." + +"All right," agreed the little fellow. + +They were just going into the candy store, having stopped at the +grocer's with the message from Miss Pompret, when Flossie and Freddie +caught sight of a ragged boy and girl, about their own age, standing +with their faces close against the glass of the show window of the toy +and candy shop. + +"Freddie, look!" whispered Flossie. + +"They're poor!" whispered Freddie. "Let's take them!" + +Flossie nodded in agreement, and then they went up to the ragged +children who were eagerly gazing in the window, which was partly filled +with Christmas toys. + +"Come on with us," said Freddie, tapping the other boy on the shoulder. + +Quickly the boy turned, doubled up his fist, and, thrusting the ragged +girl behind him, he exclaimed: + +"Now you let us alone! We wasn't doin' nothin'! We was just lookin' in +the winder, an' that's what it's for! You let us alone!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV--BERT IN DANGER + + +Flossie and Freddie were so surprised at the strange action on the part +of the ragged boy that they hardly knew what to do. Flossie looked at +Freddie and Freddie looked at his sister, and then they looked at the +strange boy and girl. + +"You let her alone, an' you let me alone!" ordered the ragged boy. "I +ain't done nothin', an' she ain't done nothin'!" + +"You shouldn't say 'ain't,' 'cause it ain't--I mean it _isn't_ a good +word. Our teacher says so," Flossie quickly admonished the strange boy. + +"Well, I don't care what I say, you oughtn't to drive us away from +lookin' in this winder," objected the boy. "Nice smells comes out; and +when you ain't--I mean when you _isn't_ got any money to buy candy, you +can smell it!" + +Flossie and Freddie looked at each other in surprise. To be so poor that +one had to "smell" candy instead of eating it, was to be poor indeed! +Flossie opened her fat chubby hand and looked at the two moist pennies +clutched there. Freddie did the same. Then the small Bobbsey twins, with +one accord, held out the money to the boy and girl. + +"Here," said Freddie. "Take it!" + +"Mine too!" added Flossie. "You can buy candy with it!" + +For a moment the ragged boy and girl did not know what to say. Then a +smile came over the boy's face. His fist unclenched, and his sister +smiled too. + +"You mean this--for us?" he asked. + +"Sure!" answered Freddie. "We don't need candy, and we'll feel good for +Thanksgivin'!" + +"Oh, I'm going to buy two lollypops!" cried the ragged girl. + +"I want gum!" said the boy, and into the store they disappeared. + +Freddie drew a long breath. + +"I--I feel happy, don't you?" he asked Flossie. + +"Yes," she answered. "I--I guess I do! Anyhow, we can ask mother for +more pennies when we go home." + +"Let's take them home for Thanksgiving," suggested Freddie. + +"You mean that ragged boy and girl?" asked Flossie. + +"Yes. Miss Pompret is going to feed some poor, and we can feed some at +our house. Let's take 'em home," went on Freddie. + +"Oh, that will be fine!" Flossie agreed. "Let's!" + +When they came out of the candy store the ragged boy and his sister, who +at first thought Flossie and Freddie had wanted to drive them away from +the window, were smiling. + +"You're coming home with us!" announced Freddie, taking the boy's hand. + +"For Thanksgiving," added Flossie. "Course it isn't Thanksgiving yet, +but we want to feel good when it does come, so we're going to feed you +now." + +"Well, I'm hungry all right," sighed the ragged boy. + +"So'm I," said his sister. + +And so, hardly knowing what was going to happen, the ragged boy, who +said his name was Dick, and his sister, who was Mary Thompson, went with +the little Bobbsey twins. + +Mrs. Bobbsey was very much surprised when her little son and daughter +came up the steps, leading a strange ragged boy and girl. + +"We brought them home for Thanksgiving, like Miss Pompret's going to +do," said Freddie. + +"So's to make us be more happier," added Flossie. "And we gave them our +two cents, so please can we have more? And they're hungry, Mother!" + +Mrs. Bobbsey understood that it was the kind hearts of Flossie and +Freddie that had brought all this about. So she welcomed the two strange +children, and took them out to Dinah, who, you may be sure, fed them +enough, and almost too much. + +After that meal, which Dick said was the "best feed" he ever had eaten, +and after Flossie and Freddie had finished watching their strange, +ragged guests eat, Mrs. Bobbsey asked Dick and his sister some +questions. + +She found out that they lived on the other side of town, that their +father was dead, and that their mother did what she could for her +children. + +"Do you go to our school?" asked Freddie, during a pause in his mother's +questions. "We've a nice school, and our teacher's name is Miss Snell, +and----" + +"And Freddie locked a boy up in the tool shed 'cause he pulled my +hair--I mean the bad boy pulled my hair," broke in Flossie. + +"We don't go to school--our clothes is too ragged," said Mary, in a low +voice. + +"Never mind, my dear. Perhaps I can find some clothes for you that +aren't quite so full of holes," offered Mrs. Bobbsey kindly. "Clothes +with holes in are fine for summer," she said, with a laugh, "but not so +good for winter. I'll see what I can find." + +She found some good, half-worn garments belonging to the twins, and Dick +and Mary took the clothes home. The result was that they appeared at +school the following Monday. But neither Flossie nor Freddie spoke of +their mother having given the two fatherless children clothes to wear. + +"Now we'll be happy for Thanksgiving; won't we, Freddie?" asked Flossie, +when it was settled that Dick and Mary were to be taken care of. + +"Yes," Freddie agreed. "And I hope we have a big turkey!" + +"An' cranberry sauce!" added his sister. + +There was a fine Thanksgiving dinner at the Bobbsey home, but the mother +of the four twins did not forget the poor. She helped Miss Pompret with +that lady's Thanksgiving feast for those who were not fortunate enough +to have one of their own, and Mr. Bobbsey and some other good-hearted +men of Lakeport provided money so that the Salvation Army could feed a +number of hungry men who were out of work. + +Still there was one reason why at least Flossie and Freddie, of the +Bobbsey family, were not quite happy that Thanksgiving day. And the +reason was because there was no snow. The children had polished their +sleds, had wiped the rust off the runners, and were all ready for a +coast. But without snow there can be no sleigh riding, and though the +weather was cold, the sun shone from a cloudless sky, and Flossie and +Freddie were much disappointed. + +"Do you think it will ever snow, Mother?" asked Flossie for about the +twentieth time. + +"And will there be ice so I can skate?" Freddie wanted to know. + +"Well, my dears, there will be snow and ice, surely, in a little while," +answered Mrs. Bobbsey. "But when I can not say. You must be patient. +Think of your blessings, as Uncle William would say." + +"I want to have some fun," complained Freddie. "Oh, look!" he suddenly +cried, coming back to the window away from which he had started to go. + +"What is it?" asked Flossie. + +"It's our cat--Snoop! A big dog just came along and Snoop ran up the +tree. Now he can't get down!" + +"Oh, of course Snoop can get down out of a tree," said Nan. "He's often +climbed up and down before." + +But this time Snoop did not come down. Whether he had been too much +frightened by the dog, or whether he was afraid of falling if he started +to come down backward out of the tree, I don't know. But Snoop stayed up +on a limb, where he cried pitifully. + +"I'll get him down," offered Bert. "I can climb out on that limb from +our front porch roof. I've done it before." + +Bert went upstairs, climbed out on the porch roof, and a little later +was over in the tree where Snoop was perched. + +"Mew! Mew!" dismally cried the cat. + +"I'm coming to get you," said Bert, kindly. "Wait a minute, Snoop!" + +From the ground Flossie, Freddie and Nan watched Bert make his way out +on a limb toward Snoop. And then, all of a sudden, there was a cracking, +breaking sound and Bert cried: + +"Oh, I'm falling! I'm going to fall!" + + + + +CHAPTER V--CHRISTMAS TREES + + +Several things happened all in a moment. The cracking limb, Bert's +cries, and the swaying of the bough as it bent toward the ground with +the weight of the Bobbsey boy frightened Snoop, the cat. All this did +just what was needed, for it so frightened Snoop that down he scrambled +out of the tree, not caring whether or not he fell. + +Bert, as soon as he felt the tree branch giving way with him, reached +out his arms and grasped whatever came first to his hands. This happened +to be another branch over his head, so that there he was, his feet on +one limb that was slowly bending beneath his weight, and his hands +grasping a branch above him. + +And, to add to the excitement, Flossie and Freddie, who saw what danger +Bert was in, set up a dismal crying. + +"Oh, Bert's going to fall! Bert's going to fall!" yelled Freddie. + +"Daddy! Mother! Dinah! Somebody! Come quick!" exclaimed Flossie. "Catch +Bert before he falls!" + +Nan ran out under the tree and stood with her dress held up, as she used +to do when her father picked apples and dropped them down to her. Nan +may have thought Bert could drop down and she would catch him, as a man +jumps into a circus net from the top of the tent. But, again, perhaps +Nan was so excited that she really did not know what she was doing. + +However, daddy and mother came hurrying to the window, attracted by the +cries of the children, and Mr. Bobbsey, seeing just what was needed, +said to his wife: + +"Run and tell Sam to come here with the ladder. It stands back of the +chicken house." + +"I will," said Mrs. Bobbsey. So, instead of running out after Mr. +Bobbsey to see poor Bert dangling in the tree, she hurried to the rear +door and called to Sam, who was working over Mr. Bobbsey's automobile. + +"Sam! Sam! Bring the ladder out in front, quick!" cried Mrs. Bobbsey. + +"Ladder! De ladder?" repeated the colored husband of fat Dinah. "Am dey +a fire some place?" + +"No fire!" answered Mrs. Bobbsey. "But Bert is up a tree and he is +falling! Mr. Bobbsey wants the ladder to get him down! Hurry!" + +"Oh!" answered Sam. Then he hurried to the chicken house, got the +ladder, and hurried around to the front of the house with it. + +"Can you hold on a little longer, Bert?" asked his father anxiously, as +Sam began to raise the ladder up into the tree. + +"I--I guess so," was the answer. "Is Snoop all right?" + +"Yes, Snoop's all right. He jumped. But don't you jump!" called Nan. + +"I--I won't," Bert answered. + +Then his father and Sam raised the ladder up into the tree, and a few +minutes later they had rescued Bert, helping him so that he could put +his feet on the ladder and climb down. + +"What made you go up?" asked his mother, when the excitement was all +over. + +"I went up after Snoop," said Bert. "A strange dog chased him up the +tree." + +"Well, of course, you meant to be kind," said his father. "But you must +be careful when in a tree. Very often a branch may look sound and +strong, as though it would hold you up. But when you step on it or pull +on it, it breaks. It is always a good plan, if you climb a tree in the +woods--or anywhere else--to pull on a limb to test it before you bear +your full weight on it. If you hear a cracking sound it means that the +branch will break." + +"I heard a cracking sound," Bert said. "But that was after I got out on +the limb with my feet." + +"Then it was almost too late," his father said. "But remember always to +test a branch before you trust yourself to it." + +The Bobbsey twins and the others went back into the house, and the rest +of the Thanksgiving day passed pleasantly. Snoop and Snap had been given +especially good dinners in honor of the occasion. + +In the morning, when Flossie and Freddie awakened, which generally +happened at the same time, the little fellow ran to the window and +looked out. + +"Oh, look, Flossie! Look!" he cried. "Come and see!" + +"Is Snoop up the tree again?" asked the little girl. + +"No, but it's snowing! Snowing hard! Now we can have some fun with our +sleds! Come on, we'll go coasting!" + +Later the two smaller Bobbsey twins, having had their breakfasts, ran +out to play in the snow. Quite a little had fallen during the night, and +more was coming down. It was just about right for starting to make a +coasting hill. + +Not far from the Bobbsey home, on a side street, was a hill where the +smaller children had their fun. Bert and Nan, with some of the older +boys and girls, generally went to a longer and steeper hill some +distance away. But this time Bert and Nan had not gotten out their +sleds. + +"I'm going to wait for Charlie Mason," said Bert. "He said he'd come +over as soon as it snowed. We're going to make a bob." + +"May I have a ride on it?" asked Nan. "I'll help you get some pieces of +carpet to tack on if you'll let me ride." + +"Sure we'll let you," agreed Bert. And then he went to telephone over to +ask if Charlie were coming. + +Meanwhile Flossie and Freddie and some of their friends were having fun +on the small hill. Each of the smaller Bobbsey twins had a sled, and the +children had races to see who would get first to the bottom of the +slope. With merry shouts and laughter they played amid the swirling +flakes of white snow. + +The fun was at its liveliest, and Flossie and Freddie were among the +merriest, when along came Nick Malone, the boy whom Freddie had locked +in the tool shed at school. + +"Oh, Freddie! Look!" whispered Flossie, dropping the rope of her sled +and moving closer to her brother. + +"What is it?" asked Freddie, for he was watching Sammie Henderson go +down hill backward on a "dare." + +"It's that--that bad boy!" whispered Flossie. "He might pull my hair!" + +"If he does, I'll--I'll----" began Freddie, and then up swaggered Nick. + +"Hu! you can't do nothin' to me now," he sneered. "There ain't no +teacher or principal here! There!" and he reached over as if to pull +Flossie's hair. + +"You let my sister alone!" cried Freddie. + +"Yah! Yah! Why don't you wear girls' dresses!" taunted Nick. "You're a +girl-boy! Girl-boy!" + +"I am not!" declared Freddie, while the other coasters gathered around. +"You go on away!" + +"I'm going to have a coast! Here, I guess I'll take this sled!" cried +Nick, and before Freddie could stop him the bad boy caught Flossie's +sled from the ground and ran with it toward the top of the hill. + +"Here! You come back! You let my sister's sled alone!" shouted Freddie, +racing after Nick. + +Now Freddie was a good runner, but Nick had the start of him, and +reached the top of the hill first. However, Freddie was not far behind, +and no sooner did Nick throw himself flat on the little Bobbsey girl's +sled, face down, than Freddie made a jump, and right on top of Nick's +back he landed! + +"Hi! Get off!" cried Nick, his breath rather knocked out of him, for +Freddie was a fat, chubby little fellow. + +"You get off my sister's sled!" demanded Flossie's brother. + +But it was too late for this. It was impossible for Nick to stop now, +and down the hill he coasted on Flossie's sled, with Freddie on his +back, both boys coasting together! + +It was a trick the children often did on the hill, and there was nothing +hard about it. Only this time it happened to be an accident, and the two +boys were enemies and not friends. + +Freddie was so surprised at the sudden and unexpected coast that he just +had to hold fast to Nick and he could say nothing more. But when the +bottom of the hill was reached, Freddie, being on top, began to pound +Nick's back with his two sturdy fists. + +"Hey! Quit! Let me up!" begged the bad boy. + +"Not till you give me my sister's sled!" insisted Freddie. + +"Well, how can I give it to her when you're sittin' on me?" yelled Nick. + +With that Freddie got off the other lad's back, allowing him to get up. +The other boys gathered around, thinking there might be a fight. But +Nick had had enough. He found Freddie braver than he had thought, and +turned away, muttering: + +"Aw, I only wanted a ride an' I got it!" + +"Yes, and Freddie had one too!" laughed Sam Miller. + +Nick walked away, and then the younger Bobbsey twins again started +coasting, Freddie taking Flossie's sled back to her. + +It was still snowing when noon came, and Flossie and Freddie had to go +home to lunch. They found Bert and Charlie busy making a bobsled in the +back yard. The older boys were fastening together their sleds by a long +plank, and Nan was helping by tacking some strips of carpet on the +plank. + +"Oh, can we ride on that?" asked Freddie. + +"Maybe," said his brother. "How's the little hill?" + +"Nice," Freddie answered. + +"An' you ought to've seen Nick Malone take my sled and Freddie jump on +his back!" cried Flossie. + +"Is that fellow bothering you two again?" demanded Bert, looking up with +a hammer in his hand. "I'll get after him, that's what I will!" + +"Freddie got after him," explained Flossie. "Oh, I'm so glad it snows! +We're going coasting some more after dinner." + +"Sure!" added Freddie. + +At the dinner table Bert and Nan noticed that their father seemed +worried over something. He went to the window several times to look out +at the storm. + +"If this keeps up the shipment will never arrive," he said to his wife. + +"You mean the Christmas trees?" she asked. + +"Yes," answered Mr. Bobbsey. "They are late now, and something seems to +be wrong up there in the woods." + +"Shan't we have any Christmas tree?" asked Freddie, who did not know +just what was being talked about. + +"Oh, I guess so," his father said, and again he went to look at the +snow. + +"Are you going to sell Christmas trees?" Bert asked. He had caught the +word "shipment," and knew it had to do with some part of his father's +lumber business. + +"Yes, I am going into the Christmas tree business this year," said Mr. +Bobbsey. "That is, I have bought a large shipment of them to be sent +here to me from the North Woods. If they get here in time I can sell +them and make some money. But if this snow keeps up, the carloads of +trees, or the shipment, will be delayed, and if they don't get here at +least a week before Christmas they will be of little use to me. But +perhaps the snow will not be as heavy as I fear." + +"I didn't know you sold Christmas trees," remarked Nan. + +[Illustration: THE CHILDREN HAD GREAT FUN COASTING.] + +"I never did before," her father said. "It's a new business for me, and +I may make a failure of it." + +Then the older Bobbsey twins began to understand how it is that snow can +bring pleasure to boys and girls, but may often mean trouble for older +people in business. + +"Well, we'll hope for the best," said Mr. Bobbsey, as he started back to +the office after dinner, when the white flakes were still falling +steadily. "I may have to go up to the North Woods to see about that +shipment of trees if they don't get here soon." + +"Could we go?" asked Bert, having a joyful vision of a mid-winter trip +to one of his father's lumber camps. + +"Well, I'll see," answered Mr. Bobbsey, and Nan and Bert looked at each +other in delight. + +Some strange adventures were ahead of them, though they did not know it. + + + + +CHAPTER VI--OFF TO CEDAR CAMP + + +Bert and Charlie, with Nan's help, finished the bobsled in time to use +on the coasting hill that afternoon and early in the evening. And it is +a good thing they had hurried with it, for the next day there came a +thaw and the snow began to melt. It melted so fast that by noon there +was scarcely enough for Flossie and Freddie to have any fun on even the +small hill, and what snow there was had mostly turned to slush. + +"Oh, dear," sighed Nan, when she found that she and her brothers and +sister had to give up their pleasure, "this isn't any fun!" + +"That's right," agreed Bert. "But the winter isn't over. We always have +a lot of snow after Christmas." + +"And I suppose we ought to be glad there isn't a big storm," went on +Nan, when it had been decided to give up coasting and the older Bobbsey +twins were dragging home the new bobsled. + +"Why ought we be glad?" Bert wanted to know. + +"Because if it doesn't storm so much daddy can get his shipment of +Christmas trees here and make some money." + +"Oh, that's so--I forgot!" exclaimed Bert. "But if the trees do come we +can't make that trip with him to the North Woods to see what the matter +is. And I wanted to go on a trip like that, for we don't have much +school now, on account of the holidays." + +"It would be nice to go off somewhere in the winter," agreed Nan. +"Remember what fun we had at Snow Lodge?" + +"I should say so!" cried Bert. "But there isn't much use talking about +snow when it thaws like this," and he stepped into a puddle of slush. + +"Oh, be careful!" cried Nan. "You'll get your feet wet!" + +"I have rubbers on," said Bert. + +There was nothing to do but to leave the bobsled and the other sleds in +the shed attached to the garage. There they would stay until more snow +came. When Bert went into the house, after putting away the bobsled and +helping Flossie and Freddie store away their smaller sleds, he found his +mother waiting for him. + +"Bert," said Mrs. Bobbsey, "here is a special delivery letter that just +came for your father. It should have been delivered at the office, but +they sent it here by mistake, and Dinah took it in before I could call +to the boy to take it back with him. I called your father up about it on +the telephone and he said, if you came in, to have you bring it down." + +"I'll go," replied Bert cheerfully. + +"Oh, may we go along?" begged Flossie. + +"We'll be good!" promised Freddie. + +"Shall I take them?" asked Bert of his mother. + +"If you want to," she answered. "Does Nan want to go?" + +But Nan, as it happened, had some sewing she wanted to do on a Christmas +gift for one of her girl friends, so she said she would stay in the +house and busy herself with needle and thread. Thus it came about that +Bert took the smaller Bobbsey twins down to his father's office. + +They went in a trolley car, and, as they always did, Freddie and Flossie +became very much interested in everything that happened, from the fat +lady who could hardly get on to the scenes in the streets. + +There were many trucks and wagons in one street, as the car came nearer +that part of Lakeport in which Mr. Bobbsey's lumberyard and office were +situated. Finally the street became so crowded with wagons and +automobiles that the car had to proceed slowly. + +"Oh, Freddie, look!" suddenly called Flossie, pointing out of the +window. A big auto-truck, piled high with crates, in which were chickens +and ducks, had come to a stop alongside of the trolley car, and so close +that, had the window been open, the Bobbsey twins could have reached out +their hands and touched some of the fowls. + +"I guess they're getting in big shipments of ducks, turkeys and chickens +ready for Christmas," said Bert. "Look out there, Freddie!" he suddenly +called, and, leaping from his place beside Flossie, Bert made a grab and +pulled Freddie off the seat. + +Only just in time, too, for at that moment the auto-truck, which had +started off after being stalled, lurched to one side, and a corner of +one of the chicken crates crashed through a car window, breaking the +glass. + +Bert had seen the crate of chickens shifting around as the truck +started, and had guessed that it was going to slide over and crash +against the trolley car, just as it did. So he pulled Freddie away in +time. + +Some of the passengers in the car screamed, and there was a shout by the +conductor and motorman as the glass crashed in the electric vehicle. + +And then a funny thing happened. One of the slats of the chicken crate +on the auto-truck came loose, and in through the broken window fluttered +a hen and a rooster. Right into the trolley they flew, the hen cackling +and the rooster crowing! + +"Oh, look! Look!" cried Flossie. + +"Catch 'em!" shouted Freddie, pulling away from Bert and grabbing for +the rooster. + +But the rooster did not intend to be caught. Half running and half +flying, he "scooted," as Freddie called it, down to the end of the car, +and, as the conductor had just opened the door to look out and see what +was causing the blockade, the rooster made his escape. + +The hen, however, did not seem to know how to get out. She fluttered +around, cackling and making a great fuss. The men in the car laughed, +and the women held their hands over their hats so the chicken would not +light on them. + +"Maybe she came in here to lay an egg!" suggested Flossie, laughing. + +"I'm goin' to catch her!" shouted Freddie. + +"Get her and have a chicken dinner," said the motorman. + +By this time the car was in an uproar, most of the passengers enjoying +the queer excitement. As for the hen, I do not think she liked it at +all, though she had more room than in the crate. + +The driver of the auto-truck was talking to a policeman about whose +fault it was that the trolley window had become broken, and the motorman +and conductor now joined in. + +"I've got to get that chicken and rooster back," said the truck driver. +"I'll be blamed for letting them get away." + +"And we'll be blamed for having a window in our car broken," said the +conductor. "It was your fault." + +"It was not!" insisted the driver. + +Cackling and fluttering, the hen raced about inside the trolley car, and +Freddie tried to catch her, but could not. Several of the men made grabs +for the lively fowl, but finally she saw the same open door by which the +rooster had gotten out, and away she flew. + +"She didn't like it in here," observed Flossie. + +"I don't blame her," said a woman passenger, laughing. "Poor thing! Her +nerves must be all on an edge." + +"Let's go and see if they catch 'em," suggested Freddie. But Bert said +they had no time for that. + +The slipping crate, which had broken the window, was finally pulled back +on the truck. The slat was nailed fast so no other fowls could get out, +and then the trolley car moved along. The conductor picked up the larger +pieces of broken glass and pulled the curtain down over the window to +keep out the cold air. + +"My, you must have had some excitement," said Mr. Bobbsey, when the +children finally reached his office and told him of the accident. "I'm +glad Freddie wasn't cut by the broken glass." + +"I'm glad, too," said the little Bobbsey boy. + +Mr. Bobbsey read the letter Bert had brought him, and then the same +worried look Bert had seen before came over his father's face. + +"Do you want me to tell mother anything?" asked Bert. + +"No, except to thank her for sending me down this letter. Still, you +might say to her that I think I shall have to go to Cedar Camp in a day +or two." + +"Where's Cedar Camp?" asked Bert. + +"Where the Christmas trees grow," his father answered, with a smile. +"It's where the Christmas trees grow that I hope to have to sell. I +haven't got them yet, and I'm going there to see what the trouble is. +This letter is about the trees." + +"Oh, can't we go and see where the Christmas trees grow?" begged +Flossie. + +"We like it in the woods," said Freddie. + +"I suppose you do," his father answered, smiling. "But the woods in +winter are very different from in summer. However, we shall not have any +bad storms or severe weather for another month, I think. Perhaps I might +be able to take my Bobbsey twins to Cedar Camp," and he playfully +pinched Flossie's fat cheek. + +"It would be nifty to go!" said Bert. "Do you really think you'll take +us?" + +"We'll talk it over to-night at home," said his father. "Here, take +Flossie and Freddie to the store and get them some hot chocolate," he +added, giving Bert some money. + +The little Bobbsey twins liked the chocolate very much, but they were so +excited, thinking about a possible trip to the North Woods, that they +talked of nothing else. + +"Do you really think you will have to go?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey of her +husband that evening. + +"Yes," he answered. "Those Christmas trees have been lost somewhere +between Cedar Camp and here, and I must find them, or I shall lose a lot +on them. I will go to Cedar Camp in a few days." + +"And take us?" asked Bert. + +"All of us!" cried Freddie. + +Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey looked at one another. + +"Would you like to go?" asked Mr. Bobbsey of his wife. + +"Where could we stay?" she inquired. + +"There is a large log cabin that one of my foremen used to live in," Mr. +Bobbsey answered. "The cabin is empty, and we could stay there as long +as the weather did not get too cold, and as long as there were no bad +storms. I really ought to go right to the woods, so that if I cannot get +on the track of the lost shipment of Christmas trees I can start the men +to cutting others. So we might as well all go." + +"Oh, what fun!" cried the Bobbsey twins. + +Since that first fall of snow, which did not last very long, there had +been no storms in the region of Lakeport, and Mr. Bobbsey thought he +could get to Cedar Camp and return with his family before the really +severe winter weather set in. He did not believe it would take long to +look up the matter of the delayed shipment of the Christmas trees and +straighten it out. + +So it was settled, and a few days later, when plans had been completed, +the Bobbsey family started for Cedar Camp. + + + + +CHAPTER VII--IN THE NORTH WOODS + + +"It's just lovely to take a trip like this," said Nan, as she leaned +back in the automobile. + +"Swell, I call it," declared Bert. + +Flossie and Freddie said nothing just then. They were too busy looking +from the windows. + +Mr. Bobbsey owned a large, closed automobile, which even had an +arrangement for heating, and it was just the proper vehicle for a trip +like this. It easily held all the Bobbseys and their baggage, which had +been piled in to go with them. + +It had not taken long to make preparations for the trip. Dinah and Sam +would be left in charge of the Lakeport house, and would care for Snoop +and Snap. + +"I wish we could take our cat along," sighed Flossie. + +"And Snap would be just right for the woods," said Freddie. "Everybody +has a dog in the woods." + +"We haven't time to bother with Snoop and Snap now," said Mrs. Bobbsey, +so the dog and cat had been left at home, as much to their sorrow as to +that of the Bobbsey twins. + +Cedar Camp was in what was called the "North Woods," about forty or +fifty miles from Lakeport. It was a wild, desolate region, especially in +the winter. In summer many camping parties made the place more lively. + +Mr. Bobbsey owned some timberland there, from which was cut some of the +lumber he used in his business. And it was only this year that he had +decided to go into the Christmas tree trade. He had ordered many +hundreds of the small cedars, spruce, and hemlocks cut and shipped to +him, some to Lakeport and others to a more distant and larger city. + +But something had gone wrong with the carloads of trees. They had +started from Cedar Camp all right, but that was the last heard of them. + +"I can trace them from the North Woods end better than from down here," +Mr. Bobbsey had said, as a reason for making the trip. + +The men who went into the woods to cut timber and Christmas trees had to +stay in winter camps. They lived in log or slab cabins, and there were +many of them scattered through the North Woods. It was in one of these +cabins, which had formerly been used by a foreman and his family, that +Mr. Bobbsey planned to have his wife and children stay for about a week. +It would take him that long, he thought, to locate the missing Christmas +trees. + +And so now the Bobbsey twins were on the first part of their journey in +the large, closed automobile. It was almost as comfortable as traveling +in a Pullman railroad car, and it was much more fun, the children +thought. + +They had brought with them plenty of lunch, some extra wraps, and some +blankets and bed-clothes. + +"What shall we eat when we get to the North Woods?" asked Freddie, as he +munched some cookies his mother passed to him and Flossie. "Shall we +have any--chicken?" + +"If we could 'a' brought the one in the trolley car we could," suggested +Flossie. "Wasn't she funny, an' the rooster, too?" + +"I wish we could 'a' caught them," Freddie murmured. + +"Oh, I think we'll have enough to eat without those fowls," said their +mother. + +"They will if they like baked beans," said Mr. Bobbsey. "The lumbermen +have plenty of those. They bake big pans of them." + +"I'll help mother cook," offered Nan. + +"There will be a woman at the camp to cook," Mr. Bobbsey explained. "I +wrote up and engaged the wife of one of the lumbermen," he said. "I +thought you'd like a little rest from looking after housework even in +camp," he said to his wife. + +"Thank you, I will," she said. "It will be quite nice to be in the woods +in winter; especially the Christmas tree woods, where there is so much +greenery." + +On went the automobile, driven by Mr. Bobbsey. Lakeport was left behind +and they were on a country road. The weather was fine, with hardly a +cloud in the sky, and Mr. Bobbsey was glad that he had taken his family +on this little trip. + +It looked as though they were going to have good luck all the way. Noon +came and saw them more than half over their journey, and as yet no +mishaps had befallen them. There was no tire trouble and the engine of +the big automobile seemed glad to work as hard as it could going up hill +and on the level with the Bobbsey twins. + +Mr. Bobbsey planned to get to Cedar Camp before dark, and he would have +done so but for a little accident. They had left the town of Bunkport, +which was the last village before the North Woods was reached, when the +motor began to chug in a queer manner. + +"What's that?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey. "One of the cylinders seems to be +missing." + +The Bobbsey twins knew what this meant. That one of the parts of the +automobile engine was not working properly. + +"Oh, Daddy!" exclaimed Freddie. + +"I guess the spark plug needs cleaning," said Mr. Bobbsey. "But we won't +stop for that now. I think we can reach Cedar Camp, and then I'll have +plenty of time to take it out and look at it." + +But the automobile continued to go more and more slowly, and once, on a +hill, it almost stopped. + +"If we can get over the top we can coast down and soon be in Cedar +Camp," said Mr. Bobbsey, in answer to an anxious look from his wife. + +The car did manage to climb the hill, and then it was easy to go down +the other side. But there was still a farther distance to go than Mr. +Bobbsey had thought. The night settled down, it became dark, and then, +suddenly, when the car was on a rough road in a sort of lane cut through +the evergreen trees, the engine, with a sort of cough and chug, stopped +altogether. + +"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. "We're stalled!" + +"Looks like it," said Mr. Bobbsey, preparing to get out and see what the +trouble was. + +"Where are we?" asked Bert, getting ready to follow his father and help +if he could. + +"We're in the North Woods," answered Mr. Bobbsey. "Several miles from +Cedar Camp, I'm afraid." + +"It--it's awful dark!" whispered Flossie. "Aren't they going to turn on +the lights?" + +"There aren't ever any lights in the woods 'ceptin' fireflies, are +there, Daddy?" asked Freddie. + +"Only our auto lights," answered his father. "Well, we may be able to +travel soon." + +As he was getting out of the car into the dark road, a mournful, shrill +cry that echoed all about sounded through the forest. + +"What's that?" gasped Nan, shrinking close to her mother. "Oh, what is +it?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII--A NUTTING PARTY + + +Mrs. Bobbsey was rather alarmed at what had happened to the automobile +to cause it to stop. She was also worried, thinking perhaps they all +might have to stay out in the woods all night, if they could not go on +to camp. So when Nan asked the cause of the strange noise her mother did +not at first answer. + +The sound came again, just as Bert was getting down out of the car to go +to his father, who had lifted the hood over the motor to see what was +wrong, and the strange sound so startled this Bobbsey twin lad that he +let go his hold of the side of the car and slid with a bump to the +ground. + +"Ugh!" grunted Bert, as he fell. + +He grunted in such a funny way, and he looked so odd sitting there in +the dusk, as if he did not know what had happened, that Flossie and +Freddie laughed. And this laughter seemed to make them less afraid of +the queer call of the woods. + +"Hurt yourself, Bert?" asked his father, looking up from his task of +throwing the gleams of a flashlight in among the parts of the automobile +motor. + +"No, sir," Bert answered. "I just sat down sudden, that's all. But what +was that noise, Daddy? Is it----" + +As if finding fault because the Bobbsey twins had come to Cedar Camp, +once more the warning call came. + +"There it goes again!" exclaimed Nan. + +Flossie and Freddie shrank closer to their mother, and even Nan seemed a +little afraid, but Mr. Bobbsey only laughed. + +"That's a hoot owl--or a screech owl, I don't know which," he said. +"Anyhow, it's only a bird with feathers and big, staring eyes. And, very +likely, it's looking down at us now and wondering what we're doing in +his woods." + +"Is the owl looking at us now?" asked Freddie, climbing away from his +mother and venturing to the door of the car. + +"Very likely," his father said. "But the chances are you can't see it. +Owls keep pretty well hidden when there's any daylight left." + +"Well, the light is fast fading," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "It's getting dark +very fast, Dick. And unless we get to camp soon--well, you know what may +happen," she said to her husband. "Do you think you can get the motor to +going?" + +"I think so," he answered. "Bert, please come here and hold the light +for me." + +Glad to be of help to his father, Bert arose from the ground, to which +he had slipped when the sudden noise of the owl startled him, and went +to hold the flash lamp. As he sent the beam moving about, in order to +direct it just where his father wished it, there was a whirr and a +flutter in the almost leafless branches of the trees overhead, and +Flossie cried: + +"There it is!" + +"Yes, that's Mr. Owl," laughed her father. "He came up to look at us, +but he doesn't like our bright light, because it hurts his eyes. So he +flew away. Now come on, Bert, and we'll get the motor to running again. +They'll be anxious at Cedar Camp if we don't get there soon." + +"Do they expect us?" asked Nan. + +"Oh, surely," said her father. "Hold the light steady, Bert." + +The Bobbsey twin lad did as requested, and after a little examination, +his father exclaimed: + +"I see what the trouble is--a loose wire on a spark plug! That's easily +fixed. We'll be traveling on again in a few minutes." + +And so they were. Once the wire was fastened in place, the automobile +could go again. Bert and his father got back in, there was a chugging +and throb of the motor, and off they went through the woods, the two +headlights gleaming along the dark road in the midst of the trees. + +"I wish we could have arrived by daylight," said Mr. Bobbsey, as he +carefully steered the car. "Cedar Camp looks ever so much better then." + +"I'm glad to get here at all--so we don't have to stay out in the woods +all night," said Mrs. Bobbsey. + +"It would be fun to be out in the woods all night--if owls didn't bite +you--wouldn't it, Flossie?" asked Freddie. + +"Yes, I guess maybe," answered the little girl. "But I'd rather be in +our camp an' have something to eat." + +"I guess I would, too," agreed Freddie. + +"Well, here we are, then. Cedar Camp!" suddenly cried Mr. Bobbsey, and, +almost before the twins knew it, the car had turned from the dense woods +and was in a clearing, or place where many trees were chopped down. + +Around the clearing were many log cabins, and inside some of them, and +outside others, lanterns were glowing, so the place was quite light, +compared to the darkness of the forest. + +"Cedar Camp!" cried Bert. "Is this it?" + +"Yes," his father answered. "Here we are--a little late, but better late +than never! Now to find our cabin." + +He guided the car into the midst of the clearing, and the children could +see the various cabin doors opening and men and women looking out. + +"That you, Mr. Bobbsey?" a voice called. + +"Yes, Jim Denton," was the answer. "We're here!" + +"Thought maybe you'd given up and wouldn't get here until to-morrow," +the voice went on. + +As the car stopped the Bobbsey twins saw a tall, lanky man, wearing +rough clothes, but whose face had a kind smile and whose blue eyes +looked laughingly at them. He stood at the side of the car, peering in. + +"We did have a little trouble," said Mr. Bobbsey. "And one of your owls +seemed to think we hadn't any right in the woods. But here we are!" + +"One of the owls, eh?" laughed Jim Denton, the foreman of the Christmas +tree and lumber camp. "Well, they sure are queer birds! Make an +outlandish racket, sometimes. But come on in. Your place is all ready +for you, and Mrs. Baxter has had supper ready for some time." + +"That's good!" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. "The children are half starved, I +fancy." + +"Run your car over to the shed," said the foreman to Mr. Bobbsey. "It'll +be safe there if it snows." + +"Had any snow up here yet?" asked the father of the twins. + +"Not yet, but it may come any day. I heard you had a little down your +way." + +"But it didn't last very long," Freddie chimed in. "We didn't have much +coasting at all!" + +"You didn't, eh?" laughed Jim, as he lifted out Flossie and Freddie, +Bert and Nan being too big for this attention. "Well, when we do get +snow up here we generally get a lot, and it may come any time. But the +longer it holds off the better we can get out lumber and Christmas +trees." + +"What about my Christmas trees?" asked Mr. Bobbsey. "That's what I came +up about." + +"It is queer about those trees," said the foreman, as he helped Mrs. +Bobbsey out. "We sent a lot off from here, but they must be stuck +somewhere on the railroad down below. However, if they're lost we can +cut more. There's plenty in the woods." + +Mrs. Bobbsey and the children waited until Mr. Bobbsey had put the car +under a shed, and then, when he joined them, the family, led by the +foreman, walked toward the largest cabin in the clearing. This was to be +the home of the Bobbseys while they were at Cedar Camp. + +"Well, I am glad to see you folks!" exclaimed Mrs. Baxter, who was to do +the cooking and help Mrs. Bobbsey during the stay in camp. "I began to +be afraid that something had happened." + +"A wire came loose," said Freddie. "But daddy soon fixed it. And we +heard an owl hoot. Do you like owls?" + +"Well, not specially," answered Mrs. Baxter, with a laugh. + +"I don't, either," said Flossie. + +The Bobbsey twins looked about the cabin that was to be their home for a +time. It was a large one, and had been used by a former foreman with a +large family. There were several bedrooms and it had many of the +comforts of life, even though it stood in the North Woods. + +Mrs. Baxter was the wife of one of the men employed in cutting down +trees, and she had agreed to cook for the Bobbseys during their stay. +She and her husband lived in one of the smaller cabins, and her grown +daughter would cook for Mr. Baxter while his wife was with the Bobbseys. + +"Now get your things off and sit right up to the table," cried Mrs. +Baxter. "The supper's sort of spoiled, keeping so long." + +"I fancy the twins are hungry enough to eat almost anything," said their +mother. "I know I am!" + +In spite of what Mrs. Baxter said, the supper proved to be very good +indeed, and Flossie and Freddie passed their plates back so often to be +filled again that their father said: + +"My goodness! there won't be anything left for breakfast." + +"Won't there, Mother?" asked Freddie anxiously, pausing with his fork +half way to his mouth. + +"Oh, yes! Of course! Your father's only joking!" she said, with a laugh. +"But don't eat too much." + +"I want just a little more," begged Flossie. + +"Can we go out and look at the camp after supper?" Bert wanted to know. + +"You can't see much by lantern light," his father told him. "You'll have +plenty of chances to-morrow and the next few days." + +Bert found it too dark out of doors when he took a look after leaving +the table, and decided to wait until morning. + +The cabin was warm and cosy, and the Bobbsey twins thought they had +never come to a more delightful place than Cedar Camp. They sat and +talked a little while after the meal, and then, when Flossie and Freddie +began to show signs of being sleepy, their mother said it was time for +them to go to bed. Bert and Nan soon followed. + +It seemed to be the middle of the night when Flossie, awakened from a +sound sleep, heard a great noise and loud shouting outside the log +cabin. + +"Mother! Mother! What's that?" she whispered. + +"Only the lumbermen going to work," Mrs. Bobbsey answered. + +"Do they go to work in the night?" Flossie wanted to know. + +"It's almost morning--the sun will soon be up," her mother told the +little girl. "Keep quiet and don't awaken Freddie." + +Flossie turned over and closed her eyes, thinking it strange that men +should have to get up and go to work in the night. It was dark, and the +stars were shining, as she could see by a glimpse through her window. + +"I guess maybe they're like Santa Claus," thought Flossie. "They have to +go out to cut Christmas trees in the dark, same as St. Nicholas comes to +our house in the dark on Christmas Eve." + +Content with this thought, the little girl fell asleep, not to awaken +again until it was broad daylight. She found that all were up save +Freddie and herself, but the youngest Bobbsey twins soon joined the +others at the breakfast table. + +"Oh, goodie!" cried Freddie, when he understood that Mrs. Baxter was +baking buckwheat cakes and had maple syrup to pour over them. "That's +what I like!" + +"He can't like 'em all, can he, Mother?" cried Flossie. "I can have some +pancakes, can't I?" + +"Hush! There'll be plenty for all of you!" said Mrs. Bobbsey. "What will +Mrs. Baxter think?" + +"I'll think they're good and hungry; and that is what I like to see when +I'm baking cakes," laughed the good-natured cook. She was almost as nice +as Dinah, Freddie whispered to Flossie. + +"An' if she has a birthday we--we'll give her something," whispered +Flossie. + +"Yes," agreed Freddie, holding out his plate for another cake. + +After breakfast Mrs. Bobbsey took the children for a walk in the woods +around the camp, while Mr. Bobbsey went to talk with some of his +lumbermen about the missing Christmas trees. + +"Don't go too far away," he called to his wife. + +"Why not?" she asked. + +"Because the woods here are rather wild, and you and the children might +get lost. There aren't many trails, paths, or roads. Keep close to +camp." + +"I will," she promised. + +It was wonderful and beautiful in the North Woods, even though winter +was at hand. Most of the birds had gone, and about the only trees that +had any leaves on were the oaks. An oak tree holds many of its leaves +all winter, the old ones being pushed off in the spring as the new ones +come on. But there were so many spruce, pine, hemlock, and cedar trees +growing all about--trees which remain green from one year to the +other--that the woods were not as bare and dreary as are most forests. +Cedar Camp was indeed a green Christmas camp, and a most lovely place. + +"We'll have lots of fun here!" cried Freddie, running to the edge of a +little hill. + +"Lots of fun!" agreed Flossie. "We'll----" and then she stopped +suddenly, for Freddie did a queer thing--or at least a queer thing +happened to the little fellow. His feet seemed to slide out from under +him, and down the hill he went, almost as though sliding on the ice! + +"Oh, look! Look!" cried Flossie. "What made him do that?" + +"I slid! I slid! Oh, I had a slide! I'm going to slide it again!" cried +Freddie, jumping up and scrambling to the top of the hill again. "Come +on, Flossie!" + +"What makes him slide, Mother?" asked Flossie, as she saw her little +brother go down the hill standing up, just as he and his small sister +had often done on a snowy, icy slope. + +"It's the pine needles," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "The ground is covered with +the long, brown, smooth pine needles, and they make a slippery carpet. +You may slide on them. If you fall you won't be hurt." + +Soon the two smaller Bobbsey twins were having great fun sliding down +the slippery pine-needle-covered hill, and Bert and Nan also took their +turns. + +But after two or three slides Bert found something on the ground that +made him exclaim in delight and run to his mother to show her. + +"Look!" he cried. "A chestnut! Are there chestnuts in these woods?" + +"Yes, I did hear your father say something about them," Mrs. Bobbsey +replied. + +"Oh, let's hunt for some!" cried Nan. + +"We'll help!" added Flossie and Freddie, deserting the pine-needle slide +for the joys of nutting. + +But though the twins looked in all directions they found only a few +scattered chestnuts. + +"The squirrels have picked up most of them," said Jim Denton, coming +along a little later. "But there's a chestnut grove not far away, up +Pine Brook, and there ought to be plenty left if you don't wait too +long." + +"Oh, Mother! may Nan and I go chestnutting?" asked Bert. "I want to get +a lot!" + +"Will it be safe for them?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey of the foreman. + +"Oh, yes," answered Jim. "It isn't more than a mile and the trail is +plain. I'll tell 'em how to go and show 'em the way." + +And so, the next morning, Bert and Nan started off on a chestnut party, +little dreaming of the strange things that were to happen to them and +the other Bobbsey twins. + + + + +CHAPTER IX--SAWMILL FUN + + +Flossie and Freddie had teased to be allowed to go nutting with Bert and +Nan, especially when the smaller Bobbsey twins learned that their +brother and sister were to take a lunch and perhaps stay all the rest of +the day in the woods. + +"Oh, I want to go nutting!" cried Flossie. + +"So do I!" wailed Freddie. "An' I want to eat my dinner under the +Christmas trees!" + +"We can't have any fun if they come with us," objected Bert, in a +whisper to his mother. + +"We'll take them some other time," added Nan. "They'd get tired and want +to come back before we found any nuts, Mother." + +"Yes," said Mrs. Bobbsey, "perhaps they would. You can take them some +other time, I suppose." Then, as she knew Flossie and Freddie would be +disappointed, Mrs. Bobbsey called to them: + +"Come, little twins, we'll go down to the sawmill and see the big logs +sawed up into boards. Maybe you can ride on the log carriers." + +Flossie and Freddie knew what this was, and to them there was no better +fun. Also they liked to see the big, jagged-tooth saw whizzing about and +cutting its way through the logs with such a queer, ripping, buzzing +sound. + +"Oh, if we can go to the sawmill that will be 'most as much fun as +nutting," agreed Freddie. + +"Will you bring us some nuts?" asked Flossie. + +"Yes," promised Nan. "And next time we go we'll take you." + +So the nutting party was arranged. Taking lunch was a sort of +afterthought on the part of Bert. + +"What'll we do if we get hungry?" he had asked his mother. + +"We'll take something to eat in our pockets," Nan had said. + +"I'm going to eat mine outside--sitting on a log!" laughed Bert. + +"Smarty!" laughed Nan. "I'll catch you next time!" + +Mrs. Baxter put up for the children a good lunch, more than enough for +two meals, Mrs. Bobbsey said. + +"But we'll get awful hungry in the woods," Bert remarked. "And we don't +want to have to eat the nuts we get." + +True to his promise, Jim Denton, the foreman, showed the older Bobbsey +twins where to take the path that led up along Pine Brook and deeper +into the forest about Cedar Camp, where the chestnut trees were growing. + +"Good-bye!" called Flossie and Freddie, as they stood on the porch of +the log cabin, waving to Bert and Nan, who started off with their lunch +to be gone the rest of the day on the nutting party. + +"Good-bye," echoed the older Bobbsey twins, and then they were soon lost +to sight in the turn of the path along Pine Brook, which led deeper into +the North Woods. + +"Now for some sawmill fun!" called Mrs. Bobbsey. "We'll go down and see +the little saw chew up the big logs." + +In addition to sending to market logs for telegraph poles and the masts +of ships, Mr. Bobbsey's men in the North Woods also sawed up trees into +planks and boards which were sold in the neighborhood. Besides this +there was the Christmas tree trade, but that only took place at this +time of year, around the holidays. + +Flossie and Freddie were too small to think much about the missing +Christmas trees, which their father had come to camp to see about. All +they were anxious for was to have some fun, and going to the sawmill was +part of this. + +The sawmill was farther down on Pine Brook, where that stream widened +out and was dammed up to make a waterfall. Part of the waterfall went +through a flume, or sort of wooden canal, and the water, falling down a +shaft, or wooden tunnel standing on end, turned a turbine wheel. + +A turbine wheel is quite different from the ordinary mill wheel you may +have seen. In fact you can not see the turbine wheel at all, for it is +closed in at the bottom of the water shaft. It is small, but very +powerful, and it was this kind of wheel which turned the saw machinery +in Mr. Bobbsey's Cedar Camp mill. + +Before the smaller Bobbsey twins reached the mill they could hear the +ripping, tearing sound of the saw as it cut its way through the logs, +slicing them into boards as your mother slices the loaf of bread with +the carving knife. + +"Good morning, Mrs. Bobbsey--also little twins!" called Foreman Tom +Case, who had charge of the sawmill. "Did you come to buy some lumber +this morning?" + +Flossie and Freddie knew Tom Case, for he had, at one time, worked in +the lumberyard of their father in Lakeport, so it was meeting an old +friend to see him here. + +"Do you want one or two million feet this morning, Flossie?" asked the +jolly sawman. "And will you take it with you or have it sent?" + +"I guess we'll just take some sawdust for Flossie's doll," laughed +Freddie. This was a standing joke between the sawmill man and the little +twins. Tom Case was always trying to sell a big lot of lumber to Flossie +and Freddie, and they always said all they wanted was a little sawdust. + +"Oh, shucks! you aren't any kind of customers to have around a lumber +camp," laughed Mr. Case. "Where's the rest of the family?" he asked Mrs. +Bobbsey. + +"Bert and Nan have gone nutting," their mother answered. "So we came +down here to see what was going on." + +"Well, we're sawing up a lot of logs to-day," said the head man of the +mill. "Here, you twins sit right down on this soft place, and you can +watch everything." Mr. Case spread a horse blanket on top of a pile of +soft, fragrant sawdust, and on this Mrs. Bobbsey and the smaller twins +sat down. + +They saw the lumber men float logs down into the pond at one side of the +dam and near the flume through which the water dropped to turn the +turbine wheel. Into these logs a big iron hook was driven. The hook was +fast to a chain, and the chain was wound around a drum, or big roller. + +When a man threw over a lever that started the machinery, the drum +turned, the chain was wound up and the log was pulled from the water up +on land and ready to be put on the moving carriage which fed it into the +teeth of the saw. + +"Could we ride on the logs?" cried Flossie, as she saw them pulled, or +"snaked," as it is called, out of the pond and up on shore. + +"Yes! Yes!" chimed in Freddie. + +"Oh, no," his mother answered. "You might roll off, and if the log +turned over, and got on your legs, it would break them. It wouldn't be +safe--see there!" + +One of the lumbermen had jumped on top of a log that was being pulled +along by the chain. For a time he kept his balance, and was given a +ride. But as Mrs. Bobbsey cried out, the log struck a stone and turned +over, and if the lumberman had not jumped he would have been thrown. + +He leaped to one side with a laugh, and ran into the mill. + +"That's what might have happened to you, only you might not have gotten +off so easily," said Mrs. Bobbsey. + +"I'd like to ride," sighed Flossie. + +"So would I!" added Freddie. + +"Let 'em ride on the log carriage. That's safe if they don't get too +near the saw, and you can ride with them and watch," said Tom Case. + +"All right," agreed Mrs. Bobbsey. + +The log carriage was a movable platform of framework, on which the logs +rested as they were sawed into boards. The logs were rolled up on the +carriage by men, when the machinery had been stopped and the big buzz +saw was no longer whirring around. Once a log was fastened in place, Tom +Case pulled a lever, and the turbine wheel began to turn the saw, and +also move forward the carriage. The carriage, or framework carrying the +log, moved slowly forward by means of cogwheels underneath, so that it +fed the log into the teeth of the saw which ripped off wide planks and +boards. + +Mrs. Bobbsey and the little twins sat on the far end of the carriage, +and began to ride forward with it. Of course if they had stayed on too +long they would have been carried up against the dangerous saw just as +the log was. But before this would happen they could step off, as the +carriage moved slowly, like an automobile just before it stops. + +"Oh, this is fun!" cried Flossie, as she dragged her feet through little +piles of sawdust. + +"'Most as much fun as nutting!" agreed Freddie. "I'm going to be a +lumber-saw man when I grow up." + +"Then you aren't going to be a fireman?" asked his mother, for that had +been Freddie's great ambition. + +"Nope; I'm going to have a sawmill," he decided. But as he changed his +mind about every other day concerning what he intended to do when he +grew up, his mother did not take him seriously this time. + +She and the twins rode on the log carriage until the big tree length was +almost sawed through, and then she helped Flossie and Freddie off. With +a final zip and clatter the board was sawed off the side of the log. +Then the carriage would move back its full length, the log would be +shifted over to enable the saw to cut a new place, and the work would +start over again. + +The log carriage moved backward, when no sawing was being done, much +faster than it moved forward. And the little Bobbsey twins liked this +backward ride very much, as they went fairly whizzing along. + +"All aboard!" called Tom Case, as he prepared to send the carriage on +its return trip. Mrs. Bobbsey and Flossie and Freddie took their places. + +There was a rattle and a rumble, and back they shot, the twins shouting +in glee and kicking aside the piles of sawdust. Thus they had great fun +at the sawmill, and they did not want to come away when the noon whistle +blew and it was time for lunch. For there was a steam engine in Cedar +Camp, as well as the turbine wheel, and this steam engine had a whistle +which the engineer blew to tell the men to stop for dinner. + +After dinner Mrs. Bobbsey went to lie down, and after cautioning Flossie +and Freddie not to go near the sawmill without her, she left the smaller +twins to amuse themselves near the cabin. Their father was out with some +of his men looking after Christmas trees, and as Bert and Nan had gone +nutting, Flossie and Freddie looked about to find some amusement of +their own. + +"Let's play sawmill!" proposed Freddie, as he and Flossie wandered down +near Pine Brook, where it ran over the dam, making a waterfall. + +"All right," agreed the little girl. "But what'll we have for a saw?" + +Freddie looked around and noticed a wheelbarrow not far off. + +"That'll do," he said. "We'll turn it downside up, and I'll turn the +wheel for a saw and you can hold sticks against it and make believe +they're being sawed up." + +"All right," agreed Flossie. "That'll make a fine saw." + +They went over to the wheelbarrow, and then a new idea came to Freddie. + +"Oh, Flossie!" he cried, "you sit in it and I'll wheel you down to the +edge of the brook. We'll have our sawmill there, and make believe to +snake logs out of the water like Mr. Case did." + +This suited Flossie exactly, and soon she had taken her place in the +wheelbarrow. Freddie grasped the handles, but his sister was almost more +of a load than he had bargained for. Still he was a sturdy little chap, +and he managed to stagger on, wheeling Flossie toward the brook. + +There was a smooth place on a little knoll near the brook where Freddie +intended to set up his wheelbarrow sawmill. Toward this place he wheeled +Flossie, and all might have gone well had it not been for the fact that +the ground was covered with those slippery pine needles. + +Freddie managed to wheel his sister up the slope, and he was just going +to set the barrow down and tell Flossie to get out so he could turn it +over and make a saw of it, when his feet slipped. He lurched forward, +gave the wheelbarrow a push, and, an instant later, it turned over, and +Flossie, sliding on the slippery, brown pine needles, began to go down +the slope and straight toward the brook, just back of the dam. + +Freddie, too, sat down hard and suddenly, but though the breath was +knocked out of him for a moment, he managed to pick himself up and to +cry: + +"Mother! Mother! Come quick! Flossie's fallen into the brook and she'll +be carried over the dam!" + +And, as he called, into the water at the foot of the pine needle hill +splashed poor Flossie Bobbsey! + + + + +CHAPTER X--A SUDDEN STORM + + +While Flossie and Freddie were having such fun at the real sawmill, and +before Freddie had, by accident, upset Flossie down the pine needle bank +into the brook above the mill dam, Bert and Nan were trudging along +through the woods on their way to the chestnut grove, about which Jim +Denton had told them. + +"Aren't you glad we came to Cedar Camp, Bert?" asked Nan. + +"I sure am!" answered her brother. "It's like having two vacations in +the same year. We had fun out West, and we'll have fun here." + +"We can have a party when we get back, and roast the chestnuts," +suggested Nan. + +"I hope we get a lot," went on Bert, kicking aside the pine cones and +dried leaves. "We'll want some for Flossie and Freddie." + +"Yes, and for daddy and mother," added Nan. "They like chestnuts, too." + +The day had started as a bright and sunny one, though it was colder up +here in the North Woods than down in Lakeport. But Bert and Nan were +warmly dressed, and they were so accustomed to being out of doors that a +little cold did not bother them. + +But though the sun had shone brightly when they had started on their +nutting trip, they had not gone far before the sky began to be overcast +with clouds. Not that Bert and Nan minded this. They were too busy +looking for chestnut trees and thinking what a good time they were +having to mind the weather. + +For it was fun just to walk through the woods and breathe the sweet, +spicy odors of the pine and cedar trees. The ground underfoot was +thickly carpeted with dried leaves and pine needles, so that the +footfalls of the older Bobbsey twins made scarcely any sound as they +walked along. + +It was so quiet that the children heard many sounds in the forest which +was all about them. They were following a path that led along Pine +Brook, and Jim Denton had said that if they kept to this path they would +come after about a mile's walk to a grove of chestnut trees. + +"And if you don't find any nuts there, keep on a little farther," the +lumberman had said. "The squirrels and chipmunks can't have taken all of +them." + +So interested were Bert and Nan that they paid little attention to the +weather. In fact, they could scarcely see the sky at times. This was +because the cedar and other trees were so thick overhead. + +As they were going along the path where the pine needles made a thicker +carpet than usual, Bert, who was in the lead, came to a sudden stop. + +"What's the matter?" asked Nan, shifting from one hand to the other the +bundle of lunch she carried. + +"I thought I heard something," said Bert in a low voice. + +A moment later there was no doubt of this, for both he and his sister +heard a grunting noise in the bushes, and then they heard the rustle of +dried leaves and the snapping of twigs. + +"Oh, Bert! Maybe it's a bear!" cried Nan, clinging to her brother. + +"A--a bear!" gasped Bert. He hardly knew what else to say. + +"Oh, look!" gasped Nan. She pointed toward a bush, and, coming out from +under it, was a little animal, somewhat larger than a rabbit, but with +different kind of fur, small ears, and with a tail that seemed to have +rings of fur around it. + +"It's a little bear!" gasped Nan. "Oh, Bert! we'd better run back to +camp before the big bear comes." + +Bert looked at the furry animal, whose bright eyes peered at the Bobbsey +twins, and then Nan's brother laughed. + +"I know what it is!" he said. "It's a raccoon. I can tell by the rings +on its tail." + +"A raccoon!" gasped Nan. "Will it--will it hurt us?" + +"No," answered Bert, and this was borne out a moment later, for with a +snorting grunt the raccoon turned and scurried away into the bushes. + +"There!" said Bert. "He's gone!" + +"I'm glad of it," returned Nan, with a sigh of relief. "I don't like +raccoons when I'm chestnutting." + +"They're nice!" declared Bert. "I wish I could see him again." + +But the raccoon did not show itself, probably being just as much +frightened at having seen the Bobbsey twins as Nan was at getting a +glimpse of the ring-tailed creature. + +Over this little fright, the Bobbsey twins walked on again, and soon +they had reached the grove that the foreman had told them about. + +"This must be the place--there are chestnut trees here," said Bert. His +father had taught him how to tell the more common sorts of trees by +means of their leaves and bark. + +"Well, let's look for chestnuts," proposed Nan. + +With sticks the children began poking among the leaves, turning them +over, for the little brown nuts, when the frost has popped them out of +their prickly shells, have a great trick of hiding under the leaves. + +"Oh, I've found one!" cried Nan. "Two--three! Oh, Bert, I've found +three!" + +She held out her hand with three shining brown nuts in it. + +"Ought to be a lot more than that here," said Bert, still poking away +among the leaves. "There's lots of trees and fresh burrs here. I guess +the squirrels and chipmunks have been here too." + +"Oh, I've found two more! I'm beating you!" laughed Nan, as she picked +up more nuts. + +"I've found one, anyhow, and it's a big one," cried Bert, as he picked +up his first. "But there aren't as many as I thought there would be." + +The children continued to pick up a few nuts at a time, but there were +not so many scattered over the ground as the lumberman had led them to +expect. + +"There's the chap who's been taking the nuts!" suddenly cried Bert. + +"Who?" asked Nan, looking up after stooping to pick two of the brown +prizes from a bursted burr. + +"That squirrel!" cried Bert, pointing to one of the big-tailed gray +fellows, sitting on a tree and looking down at the Bobbsey twins. "He +and the chipmunks can soon clean up a chestnut grove." + +Just then a red squirrel, one of the most noisy chatterers of the woods, +caught sight of the children and began to "scold" them. Oh, what a +racket he made, his thin tail jerking from side to side as he gave his +shrill cries! Bert and Nan laughed at him. + +"He's had his share of nuts," said Bert, "and he's mad 'cause we're +taking some, I guess. But we aren't getting as many as we'd like." + +"No," agreed Nan. "Maybe if we go on a little farther we'll find more." + +"We'll try," agreed Bert and, almost before they knew it, the two +children had wandered some distance from the place where Mr. Denton had +told them to stop. + +"Oh, look! There's a pile of nuts here!" cried Nan, reaching another +grove of chestnut trees. "The squirrels haven't been here yet! Goodie!" + +This was evident, for it did not take long, poking among the dried +leaves, to show that the chestnuts were quite thick on the ground. In a +short time Bert and Nan had half filled the salt bags they had brought +with them to hold their spoils of the woods. + +"Oh, this is great!" cried Nan, straightening up after four or five +minutes of picking nuts from the ground. + +"A little more of this and we'll have enough," said her brother. + +But just then Nan looked up at the sky, which she could see through the +overhead trees, and what she saw in the heavens made her exclaim: + +"Bert, I believe it's going to storm! Look at the clouds! And it's +getting ever so much colder, too!" + +Indeed there was a chill in the air that had not been present when the +Bobbsey twins started out that morning. + +"Well, we'll go back in a few minutes," Bert suggested. But a little +while after he had said this, there was a quick darkening of the air, +the wind began to blow, and, so suddenly as to startle the children, +they found themselves enveloped in such a blinding, driving squall of +snow that they could not see ten feet on either side! + +"Oh, Bert!" cried Nan. "It's a blizzard! Oh, shall we ever get back to +Cedar Camp and to mother?" + + + + +CHAPTER XI--OLD MRS. BIMBY + + +"Pooh!" exclaimed Bert Bobbsey, as he ran through the half-blinding +snowstorm toward Nan. "This isn't anything! It's only what they call a +squall. I s'pose they call it that because the wind howls, or squalls, +like a baby. Anyhow, I'm not afraid! It's fun, I think!" + +By this time he had reached Nan's side, the two having been separated +when the sudden storm burst. And now that Nan saw Bert near her and +noticed that he had his bag of lunch, as she had hers, she took heart +and said: + +"Well, maybe it won't be so bad if we can find a place to stay, and can +eat our dinner." + +"Of course we can!" cried Bert. "There's lots of places to stay in these +woods. We can find a hollow tree! I'll look for one!" + +"Oh, don't!" cried Nan, as Bert moved away from her. "I don't want to go +into a hollow tree. There might be owls in 'em!" + +"Well, that's so," admitted Bert. "I'm not afraid of owls," he said +quickly, "but of course their claws could get tangled in your hair. I'll +look for another place--or I can make a lean-to. That's what the +lumbermen and hunters do." + +"I think it would be just as easy to get under one of the big, green +Christmas trees," suggested Nan. "Look, hardly any snow falls under +them." + +She pointed to a large cedar tree near them, and, as you may have +noticed if you were ever in the woods where these trees grow, scarcely +any snow drifts under their low-hanging branches. + +"That would be a regular tent for us," said Nan. + +"Yes," agreed Bert, peering through the storm at the tree toward which +his sister pointed. "We could get under one of those. But I think maybe +we'd better not stand still. Let's walk on." + +"But toward home!" suggested Nan. "We oughtn't to go any farther +gathering nuts, Bert." + +"No, I guess not," he agreed. "Anyhow, we have quite a lot. We'll start +back for Cedar Camp. And when we get hungry we'll stop under a Christmas +tree and eat. I'm beginning to feel hungry now," and Bert felt in his +overcoat pocket to make sure that the lunch, which he had put there, was +still safe. It was, he was glad to find, and Nan had hers. + +"Yes, we'll eat in a little while," she said. "But we'd better start +back to camp." + +So the two older Bobbsey twins started off in the blinding snowstorm, +little realizing that they were going directly away from camp instead of +toward it. The wind whipped the snow into their faces, so that they +could see only a little way in advance. And as they were in a strange +woods, with only a small path leading back to camp, it is no wonder they +became lost. + +But we must not forget that we have left Flossie and Freddie, the +smaller Bobbsey twins, in trouble. In playing sawmill Freddie had tipped +Flossie out of the wheelbarrow, and the little girl had rolled down the +slippery pine-needle hill into the stream just above the dam. + +"Come quick! Come quick!" Freddie had cried. "Flossie'll go over the +waterfall! Oh, hurry, somebody!" + +He knew enough about waterfalls to understand that they were dangerous; +that once a boat or a person got into the current above the falls they +would be pulled along, and cast over, to drop on the rocks below. + +Poor Flossie was too frightened to cry. Besides, as she fell in her head +went under the water, and you can't call out when that happens. Flossie +could only gurgle. + +Luckily, however, there were several lumbermen on the bank of the +stream, floating the logs down to be snaked out by the hook and chain, +and sawed into boards. One of these men, Jake Peterson, was nearest to +Flossie when the little girl tumbled into the stream. + +"I'll get you out!" cried Mr. Peterson. + +He dropped the big iron-pointed pole with which he was pushing logs and +ran toward the little girl, while Freddie, trying to do all he could, +slid down the slippery hill, as it was a quicker way down than by +running. + +Into the water with his big rubber boots waded Mr. Peterson, and it was +not a quarter of a minute after Flossie had fallen in before she was +lifted out. + +"Oh! Oh!" she managed to gasp and gurgle, as she caught her breath, +after swallowing some of the ice-cold water. "Oh, am I dr-dr-drowned?" + +"I should say not!" answered Mr. Peterson. "You'll be all right. I'll +take you to mother." + +By this time Mrs. Bobbsey and Mrs. Baxter had rushed out of the log +cabin, and Tom Case came from his sawmill. Several other lumbermen, +hearing Freddie's excited cries, came running up, but there was nothing +for them to do, as Flossie was already rescued. + +"What has happened?" cried Mrs. Bobbsey, as she saw her little girl, +dripping wet, in the arms of Mr. Peterson. + +"She fell in," explained the lumberman. "She wasn't in more than a few +seconds, though. All she needs is dry clothes!" + +"I--I dumped her in!" sobbed Freddie. "But I didn't mean to. We were +playin' sawmill with the wheelbarrow, and I gave Flossie a ride, an' I +slipped on the pine needles, and she rolled down the hill." + +"Never mind, dear! You didn't mean to," answered his mother, soothingly. +"We must get Flossie to bed and keep her warm so she won't take cold." + +With Mrs. Baxter's help, this was soon done, and in a short time after +the accident Flossie was sitting up in a warm bed, sipping hot lemonade +and eating crackers, while Freddie sat near her, doing the same. + +Unless Flossie caught cold there would be no serious results from the +accident. But Mrs. Bobbsey used it as a lesson for Freddie, telling him +always to be careful when on a pine-needle-covered hill, near the water +especially. + +Flossie was enjoying her importance now, and she was begging her mother +to tell her a story, in which request Freddie joined, when Mrs. Bobbsey, +looking out of the window, was surprised to see how dark the clouds had +become all of a sudden. + +"I believe we are going to have a snowstorm," she said. And a few +minutes later the snow came down so thick and fast that the lumbermen +had to stop work, because they could not see where to drive the horses, +nor to guide the logs down the stream to the mill. + +"My, what a storm!" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey, as she went to the window to +look out. "A regular blizzard!" + +"We can have fun coasting down hill!" laughed Freddie. "And Flossie can +be out to-morrow, can't she, Mother?" + +"Yes, I think so," answered Mrs. Bobbsey, hardly thinking of what she +was saying. "I hope Bert and Nan started back from the chestnut grove +before this storm broke," she said. "If they are out in this it will be +dreadful! I must see if daddy has come back," she added, for her husband +had gone to see about the missing Christmas trees. "If Bert and Nan are +out in this storm they will lose their way, I'm sure." + +And this is just what Bert and Nan did. Clutching their bundles of +lunch, and with their bags of chestnuts in their hands, the two older +Bobbsey twins were struggling onward through the storm. They were warmly +dressed, and it was not as cold as weather they had often been out in +before. But they had seldom been out in a worse storm. + +"Hadn't we--maybe we'd better stop and rest and eat something, Bert," +suggested Nan, after a while. + +"Maybe we had," he agreed, half out of breath because it was hard work +walking uphill and against the wind. And almost before they knew it the +children were going up a hill, though they did not remember having come +down one on their trip to the chestnut grove. + +They found a sheltered place under a big cedar tree, and, crawling +beneath its protecting branches, they sat on the bare ground, where +there was, as yet, no snow. The white flakes swirled and drifted all +about them, but the thick branches of the tree, growing low down, made a +place like a green tent. + +"It's nice in here," said Bert, as he opened his bundle of lunch. + +"Yes, but we ought to be at home," said Nan. + +"We'll go home as soon as we eat a little," said her brother. + +But after they had each eaten a sandwich and some cookies, and Bert had +cracked a few chestnuts between his teeth and had found them rather too +cold and raw to be good, the twins decided to go on. + +Out into the storm they went, away from the shelter of the friendly +tree. The storm was worse, if anything, and, without knowing it, Bert +and Nan had become completely turned around. Every step they took +carried them farther and farther away from their home camp. And they had +journeyed quite a distance from the cabin before finding any chestnuts. + +"Oh, Bert!" Nan exclaimed after a while, half sobbing, "I can't go a +step farther. The snow is so thick, and it's so hard to walk in. And the +wind blows it in my face, and I'm cold! I can't go another step!" + +"That's too bad!" Bert exclaimed. "Maybe we're almost back to camp, +Nan." + +"It doesn't look so," his sister answered, trying to peer about through +the swirling flakes. + +"Wait a minute!" suddenly cried Bert, as there came a lull in the blast +of wind. "I think I see something--a cabin or a house." + +"Maybe it's our cabin," suggested Nan, "though I don't remember any of +the trees around here. There aren't any cut down here as there are in +camp." + +"Well, I see something, anyhow," and Bert pointed to the left, off +through the driving flakes. "Let's go there, Nan." + +Through the storm the children struggled, hand in hand. They reached a +log cabin--a lonely log cabin it was, standing all by itself in the +midst of a little clearing in the woods. + +"This isn't our camp, Bert!" said Nan. + +"No," the boy admitted. "But somebody lives here. I see smoke coming +from the chimney. I'm going to knock." + +With chilled fingers Bert pounded on the cabin door. + +"Who's there?" asked a woman's voice above the racket of the storm. + +"Two of the Bobbsey twins!" answered Nan, not stopping to think that +everyone might not know her and her brother by this name. + +"Please let us in!" begged Bert. "We're from Cedar Camp! Who are you?" + +"I'm Mrs. Bimby," was the answer, but neither Bert nor Nan recognized +the name. A moment later the cabin door was opened, and an old woman +confronted them. She looked at the two children for a moment; then, "Did +you bring any news of Jim?" she asked. + + + + +CHAPTER XII--MR. BOBBSEY IS WORRIED + + +Bert and Nan Bobbsey stood on the step of the log cabin, while Mrs. +Bimby, the old woman, held open the door. The snow blew swirling in +around her, and a wave of grateful warmth seemed to rush out as if to +wrap itself around the cold twins. For a moment they stood there, and +Bert was just beginning to wonder if the old woman was going to shut the +door in the faces of his sister and himself. + +"Did you bring any news of Jim?" asked old Mrs. Bimby. + +"Jim?" repeated Bert. + +"Do you mean Jim Denton, the foreman at Cedar Camp?" asked Nan. + +"No, child! I mean my Jim--Jim Bimby. He went off to town just before +this awful storm. But land sakes! here I am talking and keeping you out +in the cold. Come in!" + +It was cold. Bert and Nan were beginning to feel that now, for the storm +was growing worse, and it was now late afternoon. The sun was beginning +to go down, though of course it could not be seen on account of the snow +and clouds. The Bobbsey twins had wandered farther and longer than they +had thought. But at last they had found a place of shelter. + +"It's just like me to keep you standing there while I talk," said Mrs. +Bimby. "I'm sorry. But I'm so worried about Jim that I reckon I don't +know what I'm doing. Come in and get warm, and I'll give you something +to eat." + +"We've got something to eat, thank you," said Nan. "But we would like to +get warm," and she followed Bert inside the log cabin, as Mrs. Bimby +stepped aside to make room for them to enter. + +"Got something to eat, have you?" questioned the old woman. "Well, +you're lucky, that's all I've got to say. I've only a little, but I +expect Jim back any minute with more, though a dollar don't buy an awful +lot these days." + +"Does Jim live here?" asked Bert, as he walked over to a stove, in which +a fire of wood was burning, sending out a grateful heat. + +"Of course he lives here," said Mrs. Bimby. "He's my husband. He's a +logger--a lumberman." + +"Oh, maybe he works for my father!" exclaimed Nan. "Mr. Bobbsey, you +know. He owns part of Cedar Camp." + +"No, I don't know him," said Mrs. Bimby, "though I've heard of Cedar +Camp. They got a lot of Christmas trees out of there." + +"That's what we came up about," explained Bert. "Some Christmas trees my +father bought to sell didn't come to Lakeport, and he came up here to +see about them. We came with him--and my mother and the other twins." + +"Good land! are there more of you?" asked Mrs. Bimby in surprise. "You +two are twins, for a fact. But----" + +"There's Flossie and Freddie," interrupted Nan. "We left them back in +camp while we went after chestnuts." + +"We got some, too," added Bert. "But we sort of got lost in the storm. +Do you s'pose your husband could take us back to Cedar Camp?" he asked +Mrs. Bimby. "My father will pay him," he said, quickly, as he saw Mrs. +Bimby shaking her head. + +"Maybe Mr. Bimby works at the sawmill," suggested Nan. + +"No," said the old woman, "Jim is a logger and wood cutter, but he +doesn't work at Cedar Camp. That's too far off for him to go to and get +back from." + +"Too far off!" echoed Nan, and she began to have a funny feeling, as she +told Bert afterward. + +"Yes," resumed Mrs. Bimby. "Cedar Camp is away over on the other side of +the hills. You're a long way from home. You must have taken the wrong +road in the storm." + +"I--I guess we did," admitted Bert. "But couldn't your husband take us +back?" + +Again Mrs. Bimby shook her head. + +"Jim, my husband, isn't home," she said. "He went over to town just +before the storm to get us something to eat. But now I don't see how +he's going to get back," and she went to a window to look out at the +storm. + +It was getting much worse, as Bert and Nan could see. The wind howled +around the corners of the log cabin of Jim Bimby, the logger, and the +blast whistled down the chimney, even blowing sparks out around the door +of the wood-burning stove. + +"Yes, it's a bad storm," went on the old woman. "I wish Jim was back, +and with some victuals to eat. When you twins knocked I thought it was +Jim. I wish he'd come back, but he's an old man, and he may fall down in +the snow and not be able to get up. He isn't as strong as he used to be. +I'm certainly worried about Jim!" + +"Oh, maybe he'll come along all right," said Nan, trying to be helpful +and comforting. + +"If he doesn't pretty soon it'll be night, and in all this storm he +never can find his way after dark. But you children take your things off +and sit up and have a cup of tea with me. I've got some tea and +condensed milk left, anyhow." + +"We can't take tea unless it's very weak," said Nan, remembering her +mother's rule in this respect. + +"All right, dearie, I'll make it weak for you twins, though I like it +strong myself," said Mrs. Bimby. "My, what a storm! _What_ a storm!" and +she drew her shawl more closely around her shoulders as the wind howled +down the chimney. + +Bert and Nan took off their warm things, laying their packages of lunch +and the bags of chestnuts on the table. Nan saw the old woman go to a +closet, and the glimpse the Bobbsey girl had of the shelves showed her +that they contained only a little food. + +"Bert and I have some of our lunch left," said Nan. + +"And you can have some, if you want to," went on Bert. "We put up a +pretty good lunch, and there's more'n half of it left." + +"Bless your hearts, my dears," said Mrs. Bimby. "I wouldn't take your +lunch. You'll need it yourselves. I've a little victuals left in the +house, though if my Jim doesn't get back soon there won't be much for +to-morrow. My, what a storm! What a storm!" + +The small log cabin seemed to shake and tremble in the wind, as though +it would blow away. And the snow was now coming down so thickly that +Bert and Nan could see only a short distance out of the window. There +was little to see, anyhow, save trees and bushes, and these were fast +becoming covered with snow. + +Mrs. Bimby busied herself about the stove, putting the kettle on so she +could make tea, and Bert and Nan watched her. The Bobbsey twins were +wondering what would happen, how they could get home, and whether or not +their father and mother would worry. Nan looked about the cabin. She did +not see any beds, but a steep flight of stairs, leading up to what +seemed to be a second story, might provide bedrooms, Nan thought. The +cabin was clean and neat, and she was glad of that. + +"I do hope Jim comes," murmured Mrs. Bimby, as she poured the boiling +water on the dry tea leaves in the pot. "I do hope he isn't +storm-bound!" + +Bert and Nan hoped the same thing, for, somehow, Bert thought if Mr. +Bimby came along he would take the twins back to Cedar Camp. + +"Now sit up, dearies, and have some weak tea, and I'll take mine strong. +I need it for my nerves," said the old woman. + +And while Bert and Nan had thus found shelter from what turned out to be +one of the worst storms ever remembered in the country around Cedar +Camp, the other Bobbsey twins, Flossie and Freddie, were safe at home +with their mother. Flossie was now cozy and warm after her dip into the +water. + +"There's your father!" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey, as she heard someone +stamping off the snow at the front door. "I hope he has Bert and Nan +with him." + +But when Mr. Bobbsey came in alone and heard that the older twins had +not come back from their nutting trip, a worried look came over his +face. + +"Not back yet!" he exclaimed. "Why, it's getting dark and the storm is +growing worse! I must start out after them with some of the lumbermen. +They must be lost!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII--OLD JIM + + +"Don't you think Bert and Nan will be along in a little while?" asked +Mrs. Bobbsey of her husband, as she crossed the big front room in the +log cabin to meet him. + +"Be in _soon_!" he exclaimed. "Why, they've been gone too long now, +and----" + +Mrs. Bobbsey, not letting Flossie and Freddie see her, made a motion +with her hands toward her husband. Then he understood that his wife did +not want him to frighten the smaller twins by letting it become known +how worried he was about Bert and Nan. + +"Oh--yes," said Mr. Bobbsey, as he understood his wife's idea. "Oh, yes, +Bert and Nan will be along soon now." + +"I'll be glad!" exclaimed Freddie. + +"So will I," added Flossie, from her place on one of the bunks in a +bedroom opening out of the living room. "I want some chestnuts." + +"Hello, little Fat Fairy! what's the matter with you?" asked her father, +noticing for the first time that Flossie was in bed. "Sick?" he asked. + +"I just fell in the water," Flossie explained. + +"I dumped her in, but I didn't mean to," Freddie said. + +"Oh! Up to some of your fireman tricks, were you?" laughed Mr. Bobbsey, +for he saw, by a glance at his wife, that the small twins were now in no +danger. + +"No, Daddy, I wasn't playing fireman," Freddie answered, though that was +one of his favorite pastimes. "We were going to make a sawmill." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Mr. Bobbsey. "Well, whatever you do, keep away from the +big buzz saw," he warned. "And now," he went on in a low voice to his +wife, so Freddie and Flossie would not hear, "we must do something about +Bert and Nan." + +"Yes," she agreed. "I'm worried about them, but I didn't want Flossie +and Freddie to know. Oh, to think of their being out in this storm!" + +"It is pretty bad," her husband admitted. "I was caught in it, and +hurried back. I didn't think the children would go far away." + +"Nor I," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "I suppose they didn't find chestnuts where +they expected to, and wandered on. Are there any wild animals in the +woods?" + +"Well, no, none to speak of," her husband said slowly. "You don't need +to worry about that. But I'll get Jim Denton, and some of the men, and +we'll start right out after Bert and Nan." + +"I wish I could come with you!" exclaimed his wife, as anxious and +worried as was Mr. Bobbsey. + +"You'll have to stay here with Flossie and Freddie," he said. "I'll soon +find Bert and Nan and bring them back." + +"I hope so," murmured his wife, but as she glanced out of the window and +saw how dark it was getting and how fast the snow still came down and +heard how the wind howled, it is no wonder the mother of the older +Bobbsey twins was worried. So was Mr. Bobbsey. + +"I'll go right away and get Jim and some of the men, and we'll start out +on the search," said Mr. Bobbsey, having warmed himself at the stove. +"We must not wait!" + +"No," agreed Mrs. Bobbsey. "I'll stay and amuse Flossie and Freddie." + +The smaller Bobbsey twins, of course, did not worry because Bert and Nan +had not yet come home. Flossie and Freddie were having too much fun +playing a little game on the foot of Flossie's bed. Mrs. Baxter, the +housekeeper, had started the game for the children by bringing in some +funny wooden blocks her husband had cut out on one of the long winter +evenings that were sometimes so dreary in Cedar Camp. + +The blocks could be fitted together to make a house, a bridge, a boat +and many other play objects, and Flossie and Freddie enjoyed playing +with them, for which their mother was glad. She really was so worried +that she could not very well talk to them or tell them stories. + +Telling his wife to keep up her courage and not to worry too much, Mr. +Bobbsey went out into the storm again. + +"Where is daddy going?" asked Flossie, hearing the door shut. + +"He's going to bring back Bert and Nan--and the chestnuts," said Mrs. +Bobbsey, quickly. She knew the smaller twins would think more of the +chestnuts than anything else, just at present. + +"Oh, I like chestnuts!" cried Freddie. "I'm going to boast 'em an' roil +'em!" he exclaimed. + +"Listen to him, Mother!" laughed Flossie. "He said 'boast an' roil,' an' +he meant roast an' boil 'em, didn't he?" + +"I think he did," said Mrs. Bobbsey, trying not to let the small twins +see how worried she was. + +"Oh, Freddie Bobbsey, look what you did!" suddenly cried Flossie. "You +knocked over my steamboat!" For Freddie had toppled over the pile of +blocks that Flossie had erected on the foot of her bed. + +"Never mind. He didn't mean to," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "You can make +another boat, Flossie." + +"An' I'll help," offered Freddie. + +Thus the two smaller Bobbsey twins amused themselves, with little +thought of Bert and Nan except, perhaps, to wonder when they would come +home with the chestnuts. + +Meanwhile Mr. Bobbsey hurried through the fast-gathering darkness and +the storm to the cabin of Jim Denton. Like the other men in the +Christmas tree and lumber camp, the foreman had stopped work when the +storm came with such blinding snow and a wind that turned bitter cold +toward night. + +"What's that?" cried Jim Denton, when Mr. Bobbsey called at his cabin. +"Bert and Nan not back from chestnutting yet? Why, I s'posed they were +back hours ago!" + +"So did I, and I wish they were," said Mr. Bobbsey. + +"Oh, shucks now! don't worry," said the jolly foreman. "We'll find 'em +all right. We'll start right out." + +He put on his big boots and warm coat and went with Mr. Bobbsey to the +cabins of some of the lumbermen. Soon a searching party was organized, +and away they started through the storm along the path that earlier in +the day Bert and Nan had taken to go to the chestnut grove. + +"They took their lunch with them," said Mr. Bobbsey, "so they wouldn't +be hungry until now. But they may be lost or have fallen into some hole +and be half snowed over." + +"Or they may have found some logger's or hunter's cabin, and have gone +in," said Jim Denton. "There are plenty of cabins scattered through +these woods." + +"I hope they have found shelter," said Mr. Bobbsey anxiously. + +On through the storm went the father of the Bobbsey twins and his +lumbermen searchers. They stopped now and then and shouted, but no +answers came back. + +They had been out about an hour, and had gone more than a mile along the +path that it was supposed Bert and Nan had taken, when one of the men +called: + +"Wait a minute! I think I heard someone call." + +They all stopped and listened. Above the blowing of the wind and the +swishing of the fast-falling snowflakes, a faint and far-off voice could +be heard. + +"Help! Help!" it called. + +"There they are!" shouted one of the lumbermen. + +"That doesn't sound like either Bert or Nan," said Mr. Bobbsey. "But it +may be someone who started to bring them back to camp and he, too, +became lost." + +They all listened again, and once more came the call, but still faint +and far away. + +"Help! Help!" + +"It's over here!" cried Jim Denton. "Over to the right!" + +Through the storm and darkness the rescue party hurried, sending out +calls to tell that they were on the way. Now and again they heard the +cry in answer, and it sounded nearer now. + +At last Mr. Bobbsey saw a dark figure huddled in a heap near a pile of +snow, which had drifted around a large rock. + +"Here's someone!" cried Mr. Bobbsey. + +A moment later he and the lumbermen were standing over the figure of a +man, partly buried in the snow. + +"Why, it's Jim! Old Jim Bimby!" exclaimed Jim Denton. "I know him. He +lives several miles from here. He must have been lost in the storm, too. +Jim! Jim!" he cried. "What you doing here?" + +"I--I started to town for victuals," said old Jim Bimby, in faint tones. +"The storm was too much for me. I was about giving up." + +"We heard you call," said Tom Case. + +"Did you see anything of two small children?" eagerly asked Mr. Bobbsey. +"Twins, a boy and a girl! Did you see them?" + +Anxiously he bent over to catch the old logger's answer. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV--SNOWED IN + + +Having been out in the cold and storm so long, Jim Bimby seemed to have +become half frozen. He did not appear to understand what Mr. Bobbsey +asked him. The old logger staggered to his feet, helped by some of the +men from Cedar Camp, and looked about him. + +"What's the matter?" asked Old Jim in a faint voice. "Did something +happen? I remember startin' off to get--to get something to eat for my +wife and me. Then I fell down, tired out, I guess." + +"I guess you did!" exclaimed Tom Case. "And if we hadn't found you, +you'd have been done for. We must get you to shelter." + +"Take him around behind this big pine tree a minute," suggested Jim +Denton. "He'll be out of the wind there, and we can give him a drink of +the hot tea we brought along." + +Some hot tea, mixed with milk, had been put in a thermos bottle and +taken with the party to have ready for Nan and Bert, should the Bobbsey +twins be found. Now this hot drink would do for poor old Jim Bimby. + +Some of the men managed to light lanterns they carried, though it was +hard work on account of the wind and snow, and the whole party, +including the rescued man, went to the side of the big pine tree, which +kept off some of the storm. + +"There! I feel better," said Old Jim, as he swallowed the warm drink. + +"And now can you tell us whether or not you saw my two children, Nan and +Bert--the Bobbsey twins?" again asked their father anxiously. + +Old Jim shook his head. + +"No," he answered. "I didn't see any children. I came straight from my +cabin, over the hill trail, to go to the village to get some food. The +cupboard is almost bare at my house. I didn't think it was goin' to +storm, and I was all taken aback when it did. I kept on, but I must have +lost my way." + +"Guess you did," said Mr. Peterson. "And you're not likely to get back +on it in this storm, either." + +"What!" cried Old Jim. "You mean to say I can't keep on to the store and +take some food back to my wife?" + +"Not in this storm!" said Tom Case. "You're miles from the store now, +and more miles from your cabin. You'd best come to Cedar Camp with us, +and in the morning, when the storm is over, you can go on again. Your +wife has enough food to last until morning, hasn't she?" + +"Yes, I guess so," answered Mr. Bimby. + +"But what has become of Bert and Nan?" asked Mr. Bobbsey. + +"Now look here, Mr. Bobbsey," said Tom Case, "don't go to worrying about +those children. They're all right. Bert and Nan are smart, and when they +saw this storm coming on they went to some shelter, you can depend on +that. They'd know better than to try to make their way back to camp." + +"Well, perhaps they would," admitted the father of the missing twins. +"And perhaps, when we get back to camp, we'll find them there. Some +logger or hunter may have found them and taken them to our cabin." + +"Of course," agreed Mr. Peterson. + +By this time "Old Jim," as he was called, to distinguish him from Jim +Denton, the lumber foreman, was feeling much better. He was still weak, +and he leaned on the arm of one of the lumbermen as they turned back. +The storm was still fierce, and it was now night, but lanterns gave +light enough to see the way through the forest. + +Had it not been that the lumber and Christmas tree men knew their way +through the woods, the party might never have reached Cedar Camp. As it +was they lost the trail once, and had hard work to find it again. But +finally they plunged through several drifts of snow that had formed, and +broke out into the clearing around the sawmill. + +"Did you find them?" cried Mrs. Bobbsey, when her husband came to the +cabin, knocking the snow off his feet. + +"No," he answered, and he tried to make his voice as cheerful as +possible. "We didn't find them, but they're all right. They were +probably taken in by some hunter or logger." + +Even as he said this Mr. Bobbsey was disappointed that Bert and Nan had +not been brought back to camp during his absence, for he had half hoped +that he would find them there on his own return. + +"Oh, I do hope they're all right!" said Mrs. Bobbsey. + +"Of course they are!" her husband told her. "They'll be here in the +morning." + +"With chestnuts?" asked Flossie, who, with Freddie, had been awakened +from an early evening sleep by the return of their father. + +"Yes, they'll bring chestnuts," replied Mr. Bobbsey, trying to smile, +though it was hard work, for he was really very much worried, as was his +wife. + +However, they did not let Flossie and Freddie know this. And as Mr. +Bobbsey ate the warm supper which Mrs. Baxter set out for him, he told +about the finding of Mr. Bimby, who had been taken to the cabin of Tom +Case, there to spend the night. + +"Can we see him?" cried Flossie, who did not seem any the worse for +having fallen into the water. + +"Maybe he can tell us a story about a real bear," added Freddie, for he +had been rather disappointed, since coming to Cedar Camp, because no one +could tell him where to find a bear. + +"Maybe he can," said his father. "You shall see Old Jim, as the boys +call him, in the morning." + +Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey did not pass a very happy night. They were much +worried about the missing Nan and Bert, and though he tried to sleep, +after Flossie and Freddie had gone to Slumberland, Mr. Bobbsey found it +hard work. So did his wife. + +More than once during the night, as they awakened after fitful naps and +heard the wind howling around the cabin and the snow rattling against +the windows, one or the other would say: + +"Oh, I hope Bert and Nan are all right!" + +And the other would say: + +"I hope so!" + +Morning came at last, but it was not such a morning as all in Cedar Camp +had hoped for. They had expected the storm to be over, so that a +searching party could again set out to find Bert and Nan. + +But instead of the storm being over, it was even worse than the night +before. A regular blizzard had set in, the snow coming out of the north +on the wings of a cold wind. Great drifts were piled high here and there +through the camp clearing, and when Freddie and Flossie looked from the +window they could hardly see the sawmill. + +"Oh, oh!" squealed Freddie. "Look, Flossie! Just look!" + +"We're snowed in!" cried Flossie. "Oh, what fun we'll have!" + +"It's just like Snow Lodge!" added Freddie, remembering a time spent +there, when several adventurous happenings had taken place. + +"Yes, I'm afraid we are snowed in," said Mr. Bobbsey, with an anxious +look out of the window. "But I hope it will not last long. Well, here +come Tom Case and Old Jim. I must see what they want," and he went to +the door to let them in. + +Meanwhile the snow came down steadily, and as Flossie had said, that +part of the Bobbsey family at Cedar Camp was fairly snowed in. As for +the other members of the family, Bert and Nan, we must now try to find +out what had happened to them. + + + + +CHAPTER XV--A BARE CUPBOARD + + +Having finished drinking the weak tea which Mrs. Bimby brewed for them, +eating with it some of the lunch they had brought along, Bert and Nan +sat in the lonely cabin in the woods wondering what would happen next. +There was no other cabin or house near them, and as they heard the wind +howl down the chimney and moan around the corners, and heard the rattle +of hard snow against the window, the older Bobbsey twins were glad they +had found this shelter. + +"Do you think we'll be able to start back soon, Mrs. Bimby?" asked Nan, +as she helped the old woman clear the tea things off the table. + +"Back where, dearie?" + +"Back to our camp." + +"Oh, not to-night, surely," said Mrs. Bimby. "You won't dare venture out +in this storm. It's getting worse, and black night is coming on. You +just stay here with me. I can make up beds for you, and I'll be glad to +have you, since my Jim isn't coming back, I reckon." + +"What do you think has become of him?" asked Bert, who was interested in +looking at a gun that hung over the mantel. + +"Well, I reckon he got to the village, but found the storm so bad he +didn't dare to start back," answered Mrs. Bimby. + +Of course she did not know what had happened to Old Jim any more than +Jim knew that the older Bobbsey twins were in his own cabin. + +"But Jim'll be here in the morning," said his wife. "And I do hope he'll +bring in something to eat. If he doesn't----" + +She did not finish what she started to say, and Nan asked: + +"Will you starve, Mrs. Bimby?" + +"Well, not exactly _starve_, for I s'pose a body could keep alive on tea +and condensed milk for a while. But we'll be pretty hungry. There'll be +three to feed instead of just one," the old woman went on. + +"We've some food left," said Bert. "And we can cook our chestnuts. We +got quite a few before the storm came." + +"Bless your hearts, dearies!" exclaimed Mrs. Bimby. "You may be able to +eat chestnuts, but _my_ old teeth are too poor for that. But I dare say +we'll get along somehow, even if the cupboard is almost bare. Don't you +want to go to bed?" + +"Oh, it's too early," objected Bert. + +"Have you any games we could play?" asked Nan. + +She and her brother were in the habit of playing simple games at home +before going to bed, and it seemed natural to do it now. After the first +shock of feeling that they were lost in the snow storm had passed, the +Bobbsey twins were quite content. They felt that their father and mother +must realize that they were safe. + +"Games, dearie?" asked Mrs. Bimby. "Well, seems to me there's some +dominoes around somewhere, and I did see a checker board the other day. +Jim used to play 'em when the loggers came in. I'll see if I can dig 'em +out." + +She rummaged through an old chest and brought to light a box of battered +dominoes. But as several were missing it was hard to play a good game +with them. As for the checkers, the board was there but the pieces, or +men, were not to be found. + +"But you can take kernels of corn," said Mrs. Bimby. "I've often seen my +Jim do that." + +"Checker men have to be of different color," said Nan, "and corn is all +one color, isn't it?" + +"There are red ears," suggested Bert. "Don't you remember we saw some +when we were in the country?" + +"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Nan. + +"That's what I was going to say," remarked Mrs. Bimby. "I can give you +some yellow kernels and some red ones, and you can play checkers if you +like." + +This suited Nan and Bert, and though it was hard to make "kings" by +placing one grain of corn on top of another, they managed to go on with +the game, using pins to fasten two red or two yellow kernels one on top +of the other when the king row was reached. + +Grains of corn or some other cereal, or perhaps colored stones, were, +very likely, the first sort of "men" used in the ancient game of +checkers, and Bert and Nan got along very well in this way. Mrs. Bimby +kept stoking the fire, putting on stick after stick of wood as it burned +away, and the cabin was kept warm and cozy. + +Outside the storm raged, the wind blew, and the snow came pelting down. +But at times the older Bobbsey twins were so interested in their checker +game that they hardly heard the sounds outside the log cabin. + +At last Mrs. Bimby, with a look at the clock, said: + +"It's after nine, dearies; hadn't you better go to bed? My Jim won't +come to-night, that's sure, and I don't believe any of your folks will +come for you." + +"They don't know where we are," said Nan. + +"No more they do, dearie. Well, I'll show you where you're to sleep. I'm +glad I've got covers enough for two extra beds." + +There were three rooms in the second story of the log cabin. Two of the +rooms were small, each one containing a little single cot. The other +room was larger, and had a bed in it. Mrs. Bimby slept there, and she +gave Bert and Nan each one of the smaller rooms. There was a window in +each of the bedrooms, and being above the warm downstairs room, where a +hot fire had been blazing all evening, the sleeping chambers were more +comfortable than one would have supposed. + +Bert and Nan were so sleepy that they did not lie awake long after +getting to bed. As there were no pajamas for Bert and no night-gown for +Nan, the children slept in their underclothes, taking off only their +shoes and outer garments. + +In spite of the fact that he fell asleep soon after going to bed, +because he was tired from the day's tramp after chestnuts, Bert was +awakened in the middle of the night by hearing Nan call: + +"Mother, please give me a drink!" + +It was a request Bert had often heard his sister make before, and now he +realized that she was either half awake, and did not remember where she +was, or else she was talking in her sleep. He raised up on his elbow and +listened. Again Nan said: + +"I want a drink!" + +Bert knew how hard it was to try to go to sleep when thirsty, so he got +up and, having noticed on coming to bed the evening before a pail of +water on a chair in the upper hall, he brought Nan a dipper full. Mrs. +Bimby had left a lantern burning, so it was not dark in the cabin. + +"Oh, Bert! I dreamed I was back home," said Nan, as she took the drink +her brother handed her. "Thank you!" + +"Welcome," he said, struggling to keep his sleepy eyes open. + +"Is it still snowing?" asked Nan. + +"Hard," answered Bert, looking out of the window, though, truth to tell, +he could see nothing, it was so pitch dark outside. But he could hear +the rattle of snow against the glass. + +"I hope it stops by morning," sighed Nan. + +"So do I--long enough for us to get back to camp, anyhow," added Bert. + +He got himself a drink and went back to bed, there to sleep soundly +until morning, when Mrs. Bimby called him and Nan to get up. + +"Come, dearies," said the kind old woman. "We'll have breakfast, such as +it is." + +For a few moments after awakening Bert and Nan could not quite remember +where they were. Bert afterward said that he hoped there would be hot +buckwheat cakes for breakfast, with maple syrup, such as they had had in +the cabin where Mrs. Baxter acted as cook. But there was no such +appetizing smell as that of pancakes coming up from Mrs. Bimby's +kitchen. + +"I'm sorry I haven't any more to offer you," she said to the children, +as she set before them some more weak tea and a few pieces of bread and +butter. "If my Jim had come back we'd have had enough to eat. But as it +is, I'm afraid you'll go hungry soon." + +"We'll eat what's left of our lunch," said Bert. + +"And cook some chestnuts," added Nan. "We'll pretend we've been +shipwrecked. Were you ever shipwrecked, Mrs. Bimby?" Nan asked, as +cheerfully as she could. + +"No, dearie, but I've had the rheumatiz, and I reckon that's 'most as +bad. But let's eat what we've got and we'll hope for more before the day +is over." + +"It's still snowing, isn't it?" remarked Nan, as she hungrily ate some +of the dry food and swallowed some of the weak, but warm, tea. + +"Yes, and it's likely to keep up all day," said Mrs. Bimby. "It'll be +hip-deep by night, and we'll be completely snowed in. I declare, I don't +know what we'll do!" + +"Maybe it'll stop," suggested Bert, trying to look on the bright side. + +"Or maybe it won't be so bad but what we can go out," added Nan. "And if +we get back to camp we can send you something to eat by one of the men +in a sleigh, Mrs. Bimby." + +"I wouldn't let you go out in this storm--not for anything!" declared +the kind old woman. "The only safe place is this cabin when it snows +this way. You can't starve to death as quickly as you can freeze to +death, that's a comfort. And we've got enough for one more meal, +anyhow." + +But when noon came, after a long morning, during which the Bobbsey twins +played more checker games with grains of corn, and when almost all there +was in the cupboard had been eaten, Mrs. Bimby opened the doors, looked +at the bare shelves and said: + +"I declare, I don't know what we're going to do! Almost everything is +gone!" + +The cupboard, indeed, was nearly bare. + +For some reason or other, Bert's eyes rested on the gun on the wall over +the mantel. + +"Is that gun loaded, Mrs. Bimby?" he asked. + +"Yes, I reckon 'tis," she answered. "Jim always keeps it loaded, for he +goes hunting sometimes." + +"What after?" asked Bert. + +"Oh, squirrels and rabbits." + +"That's what I'm going to do, then!" cried Bert. "If I could shoot some +squirrels or rabbits we'd have a potpie and we wouldn't be hungry. Will +you please get that gun down for me, Mrs. Bimby?" + +She looked at Bert and smiled. + +"You're pretty small to handle a gun," she said. "But maybe you could +fire it if I showed you how. I've shot it more 'n once, and I brought +down a cawing crow last winter. Sometimes the rabbits come close up to +our cabin here. Wait till I take a look." + +She went to the window to peer out into the storm, and Nan did likewise, +while Bert continued to gaze at the gun on the wall. It was a shotgun, +not very heavy, and he felt certain he could aim it at a rabbit and pull +the trigger. + +Mrs. Bimby shook her head as she turned away from her window. + +"There's no game here," she said. "Guess we'll have to go without a +potpie." + +But Nan suddenly uttered an exclamation. + +"Oh, I see one!" she cried. "I see a big rabbit! Two of 'em! Oh, Bert, +it's a shame to shoot the bunnies, but we can't starve! Get the gun!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI--BERT STARTS OUT + + +Just about the time that Bert was getting ready to try for a rabbit +potpie by firing the gun from the door of Mrs. Bimby's cabin, in the +other and larger cabin at Cedar Camp the smaller Bobbsey twins were +having a good time. There was no danger there of starving, for the +cupboard was far from being bare. + +But of course Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey were worried because, after their +long night of worry, neither Bert nor Nan had come back, and there was +no news of them. + +"But we'll surely hear from them to-day," said Tom Case, as he came over +through the storm after breakfast to learn if Mr. Bobbsey had any +special plans. + +"How's Old Jim?" asked Mr. Bobbsey, as the head of the sawmill workers +came in out of the storm, for it was still snowing. + +"Oh, Jim's all right," was the answer. "But he's worrying about his wife +not having any food. I came over to say that if the storm lets up a +little maybe we'd better try to take something to eat to the old lady. +She's all alone in her cabin." + +Of course neither he nor Old Jim knew that the two older Bobbsey twins +were at that very moment with Mrs. Bimby. + +"All right, it would be a good idea," said Mr. Bobbsey. "And we must +make another search for Bert and Nan." + +"I have a sort of feeling that they're safe," said Mr. Case. "And, +really, it wouldn't be wise for you to start out in this storm to look +for them. I think it may moderate a little by to-morrow." + +"Let us hope so!" sighed Mrs. Bobbsey. + +"Can't Old Jim come over and play with us?" asked Flossie. + +"We want to have some fun," added Freddie. + +The two smaller twins had been as good as possible, but they were not +used to being cooped up in the house, and there really was not much to +do in the cabin. No toys had been brought along, for Mr. Bobbsey had not +expected to stay very long in looking after his Christmas trees. And he +certainly never counted on being snowed in. + +"Yes, I'll bring Old Jim over," said Mr. Case. "He's pretty good at +making things with his pocket knife. Shouldn't wonder but what he could +cut you out a doll, Flossie." + +"Can he make boats?" asked Freddie. + +"Sure he can!" said the sawmill foreman. + +"Where you going to sail a boat in the snow, Freddie Bobbsey?" asked +Flossie. + +"I--I'll have him make me a snow-boat!" the little fellow said. + +"Pooh!" laughed Flossie. "There are ice-boats, 'cause we rode in one +once, but there aren't any snow-boats, are there, Daddy?" + +"Well, perhaps Old Jim can make one," her father said. "Bring him over, +Tom. I want to talk to him and find out where would be the most likely +place for Nan and Bert to have found shelter." + +The old logger, who seemed to have gotten over his exposure to the +storm, came to the Bobbsey cabin, and he somewhat relieved the worries +of Bert's father and mother by saying there were a number of cabins of +loggers and trappers scattered through the woods, and he had an idea +that Bert and his sister might have reached one of these. + +"Well, we'll start out and look for them as soon as the storm lets up a +little," said Mr. Bobbsey. + +Freddie and Flossie made great friends with Old Jim. They took to him at +once, and when he cut out of a piece of wood a queer doll for Flossie, +and made for Freddie a thin wooden wheel, which would turn around in the +waves of heat arising from the hot stove, the children were delighted. + +They climbed all over Old Jim, and laughed and shouted as though they +had no cares in the world. And, as a matter of fact, they were not old +enough to worry about Bert and Nan. They thought their older brother and +sister would come along sooner or later. + +Slowly the day of storm passed, but with no let-up in the falling snow. +The wind, while it did not blow as violently as at first, was high and +cold, so that the little Bobbsey twins could not go out. + +And it was about the time that Flossie and Freddie were having such fun +with Old Jim that, back in this same logger's lonely cabin, Bert and Nan +were wondering whether they would have anything to eat for supper. + +As Nan had said, she did see two large rabbits when she looked from the +window. And she called to her brother to get the gun from its place over +the mantel. + +"Land sakes!" exclaimed Mrs. Bimby, "there _are_ two right in plain +sight. Now Bert, if you're any kind of a shot, maybe we'll have rabbit +stew for supper. Here, take the gun, but be careful!" + +Bert knew a little about firearms, and he was not at all afraid as Mrs. +Bimby put the shotgun into his hands. Then she opened the door for him, +very carefully, so as not to frighten the rabbits. + +"They're still there, right on top of the snow!" called Nan, as she +peered from the window on her side of the cabin. "I'm not going to watch +you shoot them, Bert, though I am terribly hungry. And I'm going to hold +my hands over my ears so I won't hear the gun." + +Bert was quite excited, and did not pay much attention to what his +sister was saying, but he was not so excited that he could not hold the +gun fairly steady. + +"Hold it close against your shoulder, then it won't kick so hard," Mrs. +Bimby whispered in his ear, as she helped him get the shotgun in place, +and pointed it for him out of the open door. + +The rabbits were in plain sight now, two wild, gray bunnies, fat and +plump. Bert took sight over the little point on the end of the gun. He +held this sight as steadily as he could in line with one of the rabbits. + +"Better shoot quick!" whispered Mrs. Bimby. "I think they see us and +they'll scoot away in a minute!" + +Bert gave a steady pull on the trigger, not a sudden pull, which is not +the right way to shoot. A sudden pull spoils your aim. + +"Bang!" went the shotgun. + +"Oh!" screamed Nan, who, in spite of having held her hands over her +ears, heard the report. + +"I got one! I got one!" excitedly cried Bert, as he saw one of the +bunnies lying on the snow. The other had scampered off. + +"Yes, you did get one, child!" said Mrs. Bimby, as she ran out into the +storm and came back with the game. "Now we shan't starve. I'll make a +potpie." + +This she did, stewing the rabbit with some dumplings she made from a +little flour she had left in the bottom of the barrel. Bert and Nan +thought nothing had ever tasted so good as that rabbit potpie. + +"You'll be quite a hunter when you grow up," said Mrs. Bimby, when the +meal was over. "You shot straight and true, Bert!" + +"But you helped me," said the Bobbsey boy. "I couldn't have aimed the +gun straight if you hadn't helped me." + +"But I saw the rabbits, didn't I?" asked Nan. + +"Yes, dearie, you surely did," said the kind old woman. "Now we shan't +starve for a couple of days, anyhow." + +"And then I can shoot more rabbits, or maybe some squirrels," Bert +declared. + +"I hope by that time the storm'll be over," remarked Mrs. Bimby, "and +that my Jim will come back." + +"Will he take us home, or bring our father here?" Nan questioned. + +"I guess so," Mrs. Bimby answered. + +But as the snow kept up all the remainder of that day, and as it was +still storming hard when night came, there did not seem much chance of +the two older Bobbsey twins being rescued. + +Again Bert and Nan spent the night in the little rooms of the cabin, but +they slept better this time, Nan not even awakening for a drink of +water. And in the morning Bert looked from a window and cried: + +"Hurray! The snow's stopping! I'm going to start out and go back to +camp!" + +"You are?" asked Nan. "Are you going to take me?" + +"No," said Bert. "You'd better stay here. I'll go to camp and send daddy +back in a sled for you. He can hitch a horse to one of the lumber sleds +now that the snow is stopping, and he can ride you home. And if I find +your husband I'll send him back with a lot of things to eat," he told +Mrs. Bimby. + +"I wish you would, dearie," said the old woman. "But are you really +going to start out, Bert?" + +"Yes'm! My father and mother will be worried about us. I can get to camp +now, I'm sure, as the storm is almost over." + +Mrs. Bimby, who, though not very wise, was kind, made him take a little +lunch with him, packing up some cold boiled chestnuts and part of the +cold rabbit meat. It was all there was. + +"But maybe I'll get to camp before I have to eat," said Bert. "And I'll +send back help to you." + +So Bert started out, Mrs. Bimby showing him the direction he was to +take. It was still snowing a little, but he hoped it would soon stop. + +[Illustration: OLD JIM DELIGHTED THE TWINS.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVII--TRYING AGAIN + + +Though Flossie and Freddie had what they called "good times" in the log +cabin at Cedar Camp, and though Old Jim played with them, making boats +and dolls of wood, still the small Bobbsey twins wished for the time to +come when they might go out of doors. They also began to wish for the +return of Bert and Nan. + +"When _will_ they come, Mother?" Flossie asked over and over again. + +"And bring us chestnuts!" teased Freddie. + +"Oh, they'll come soon now," Mrs. Bobbsey said, as she looked out of the +window at the flakes of snow, still falling, and listened to the whistle +of the cold wind around the cabin. + +And in her heart how very much Mrs. Bobbsey wished that Bert and Nan +would come back soon! Mr. Bobbsey wished the same thing, and the only +comfort the father and mother had in those worrisome days was the +thought that their older twins _must_ have found shelter somewhere in +the woods. + +Old Jim declared that this was so, as, likewise, did Tom Case and Jim +Denton. But it was still storming too much for another searching party +to set out and look for Nan and Bert. Those who searched might +themselves become lost in the blizzard. For that is what the storm now +was--a regular blizzard. + +Mr. Bobbsey could do nothing toward searching for the lost shipment of +Christmas trees. The lumbermen could not work at cutting down trees, +floating or sledding them to the mill or carting them to the railroad. +Even the sawmill was shut down, and all there was to do was to wait. + +Flossie and Freddie were not used to staying in the house so long at a +time. They wanted to go out and play even if there was snow, but their +mother would not let them in such an unusual storm. + +"It's like when we were at Snow Lodge," sighed Flossie, as she stood +with her little nose pressed flat against the window, thereby making her +face cold. + +"We could go out a little there," sighed Freddie. + +"I think you children are very lucky," said their mother. "You have a +warm place to stay. Think of poor Nan and Bert. They may----" + +She stopped suddenly. She dared not think of what her older son and +daughter might be suffering. She glanced quickly at Flossie and Freddie. +She was afraid lest she should make them worry, too. + +But, fortunately, Flossie and Freddie were not that sort. They did not +believe in worrying, unless it was over not having fun enough. However, +the log cabin was of good size, and with Old Jim to come over now and +then to amuse them with cutting out wooden toys, the two Bobbsey twins +did not have such a sad time as might be imagined. + +To-day, however, when the storm had kept up so long, and when they had +not had a chance to go out, they felt rather lonesome and as if they +wanted to "do something." So, presently, when Flossie had grown tired of +pressing her nose against the glass, making it cold, and then holding it +on Freddie's cheek to hear him exclaim in surprise, the little girl +wandered about looking for something to do. Freddie joined her, and +while their mother was in another room, talking to Mr. Bobbsey, and +saying he ought, soon, to make another trip and search for Bert and Nan, +Flossie and Freddie went up in the top story of the log cabin. + +The log cabin was the largest in that part of the woods, and was higher +than most, so that in addition to the bedrooms on the second floor, +there was, above them, an open attic, reached by a short flight of +steps, and in it were stored all sorts of odds and ends. + +"Maybe we can find something here to play with," suggested Flossie. + +"Maybe," agreed Freddie. + +They rummaged around in the half-dark place, back in corners where the +roof came down slanting and making little "cubby-holes," and it was +after a glance into one of these places that Flossie drew back and +whispered to Freddie: + +"There's a bear in here!" + +"A bear! Where?" and Freddie moved over closer to Flossie and looked +where she pointed. + +"There," said the little girl, and, glancing along the line of her +outstretched finger, Freddie saw a big, furry heap in a dark corner. "I +touched it first with my foot," said Flossie, "and it was soft, just +like the bear I touched that the Italian had once, leading around by a +string in his nose. And then I put out my hand and I felt his fur!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Freddie. "Did he--did he bite you?" He had been looking +for something to play with on the other side of the attic, and, +therefore, had not seen all that Flossie had. + +"Course he didn't bite me!" the little girl answered. "You didn't hear +me holler, did you?" + +"No," said Freddie, "I didn't. I'm going to touch him!" + +"Come over here," advised Flossie, moving to one side so Freddie could +thrust his hand forward and touch that mysterious heap of fur. "I--I +guess maybe he's asleep, that's why he didn't growl or nothin'!" + +"I guess maybe," agreed Freddie. Neither of the Bobbsey twins felt +surprised because they had an idea a bear might be in the attic with +them. Nor were they afraid. A sleeping bear is not dangerous, of course. +Any little boy or girl knows that! + +Freddie crawled a little way farther under the sloping roof and, by +stretching out his hand, managed to touch the fur. It felt warm and soft +to his fingers. + +"Oh, it _is_ a bear!" he whispered, and he was delighted. "Let's go and +tell mother, and we can bring it downstairs and play with it. I guess +it's a little bear!" + +"Yes, we'd better tell mother," agreed Flossie. Somehow, the more she +thought of a bear being up in the attic the more she thought it better +to have some of the older folks know about it. + +Down the stairs went the two Bobbsey twins, walking softly so as not to +awaken the bear. They didn't want him suddenly aroused from his sleep +and made cross. Who would? + +"Where have you children been?" cried Mrs. Bobbsey, as she saw the two +twins. They were covered with dust and cobwebs from having crawled so +far under the sloping roof in the attic. The floor was dirty, too, not +having been swept in many months, and they had sat right down in the +worst of the dust. + +"Oh, Mother!" gasped Flossie, "we've been up in the attic, and what do +you think's up there? It's a----" + +"_Bear!_" burst out Freddie, not wanting his sister to tell all the +wonderful news. "He's asleep, an' I touched him!" + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey. "A bear? It can't be!" + +And yet she knew there were bears in the North Woods, and it might be +possible that one had crawled into the cabin before they had come, and +had gone to the attic to have his long winter sleep. + +"Yes, it is a bear!" insisted Flossie, and both children were so certain +about the heap of fur that Mrs. Bobbsey called her husband, who was out +in the woodshed with Tom Case and Jim Bimby. + +"A bear!" cried the mill foreman. "Well, there are some around these +woods, but I never knew of one coming into a cabin. I'll take a look." + +"Hadn't you better take a gun?" asked Mr. Bobbsey, as he and Old Jim +followed the foreman upstairs. "There's one here." + +"Well, you might hand it to me," said Mr. Case. "But I reckon if it is a +bear that's crawled in to go to sleep, he'll be so lazy I can take him +by the back of the neck and throw him out." + +Freddie and Flossie waited with their mother while their father and the +two men went to the attic. They could hear the three moving around up +overhead, and soon there was a shout of laughter. + +"Maybe it's a circus bear, and he's doing tricks!" exclaimed Flossie. + +"Oh, I hope it is!" added Freddie, feeling quite excited. + +Their father and the two men came downstairs. Tom Case carried +something--something brown and shaggy, just like the fur of some animal. + +"There's your 'bear!'" he said, laughing, as he tossed the furry object +over a chair. "A bear skin! Ha! Ha!" + +And that is what it was. The skin of a big bear, made into a lap robe +for use in cold weather. The fur was warm, thick and soft, and when the +skin was huddled up in a heap in a corner no wonder the Bobbsey twins +mistook it for a real bear, especially in the dark. + +"That's a good warm fur robe," said Old Jim. "If it was made into a fur +coat it would keep out the cold." + +"Maybe that's what the man who used to live here was going to use it +for," said Mr. Bobbsey. "He moved away and forgot it. Well, you children +can play with it," he said to Flossie and Freddie. "It was a bear once." + +And the Bobbsey twins had fun taking turns wrapping the bear skin about +them and pretending to be different kinds of wild animals. + +It was when the storm began to grow less severe, the wind not blowing so +hard and the snow not coming down so thickly, that Mr. Bobbsey, looking +from the window when Flossie and Freddie were playing "bear," said: + +"I think I'll start out again." + +"Where?" asked his wife. + +"To find Bert and Nan," he answered. "I think the blizzard is about +over, and they will probably be starting for home. I'll go to meet +them." + +"Oh, take us!" cried Flossie and Freddie. "We want to see Bert and Nan." + +"Oh, no, I couldn't take you," said their father. "The snow is piled +deep in drifts, and you'd sink away down in--over your heads. I'll take +some of the men and start," he said to his wife. + +And so, a little later, another searching party started away from Cedar +Camp to find the missing Bobbsey twins. + +"I'll go along," said Old Jim, who was now able to travel. "I must take +some food to my wife. She'll be 'most starved." + +"Yes, come with us," said Mr. Bobbsey. "We'll take some food to Mrs. +Bimby." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII--A LITTLE SEARCHING PARTY + + +Flossie and Freddie Bobbsey were two of the kindest children in the +world. They were fond of fun and of having a good time, but whenever +their mother did work for the church at home, helping poor families, +taking food to people who had but little, Freddie and Flossie always +wanted to do their share. So did Bert and Nan; but as the older twins +had to spend more time in school than did Flossie and Freddie, the two +latter had more chances to help their mother. + +More than once they had gone with her when she carried a basket of food +or a bundle of clothing to some poor family in Lakeport. And now, in +Cedar Camp, having heard their father say he was going to take food to +Mrs. Bimby, Flossie and Freddie at once had an idea. + +While Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey were out of the room, talking over the coming +trip through the woods to look for Bert and Nan, as well as to take food +to Mrs. Bimby, Freddie said to Flossie: + +"Let's go, too!" + +"Daddy won't let us," Flossie answered. + +"We--we'll tag after him," said Freddie in a whisper. "We can put on our +rubber boots and our coats and mittens, and we can go behind him. He +can't hear us, 'cause there's so much snow our boots won't make any +noise." + +"That's so," agreed Flossie. "And, oh, Freddie! I know what we can do." + +"What?" + +"We can take Mrs. Bimby that bear robe. It'll keep her warm, 'cause it's +so nice and soft!" + +"So 'tis!" agreed Freddie. "We'll take it, and something to eat, too." + +"We'll not have to do that, Daddy and the other men are going to take +her something to eat." + +"I meant something to eat for us," Freddie said. "We ought to take a +lunch with us, 'cause maybe we'll get hungry in the woods." + +The younger Bobbsey twins had a feeling that if they were seen packing +up a lunch for themselves, putting on their boots and outdoor garments, +and taking the bear skin, they would be stopped. They felt sure they +would not be allowed to go in search of Nan and Bert. And they were +probably right. + +So, as they had done more than once before, they said nothing of their +plans, but went about them secretly and quietly. While their mother and +Mrs. Baxter were packing two large baskets with food for Old Jim's wife, +and while Daddy Bobbsey was talking to the men about the coming trip +through the snow-filled woods, Flossie and Freddie took their boots, +coats, caps and mittens to the back door of the log cabin. + +"We can slip out and put 'em on there when nobody is looking," said +Freddie. + +"We've got to take the bear skin out, too," Flossie remarked. + +But when they tried to bundle the skin of the bear up so they could +carry it, they found it so heavy and slippery to lift that they had to +give it up. + +"What'll we do?" asked Flossie, as, after several trials she had to +admit that the skin could not be carried. "Mrs. Bimby'll be so +disappointed!" + +"We can tell her it's here, and Mr. Jim can come and get it," suggested +Freddie. + +"Oh, that'll be nice!" his sister agreed. "We'll leave the skin." + +How to pack up a lunch for themselves was also a hard matter. But, as it +happened, Mrs. Bobbsey was so busy getting things ready for her husband +and the other men that she did not pay much attention to what Flossie +and Freddie did. She saw them moving about, now in the pantry and now in +the kitchen and again stepping to the back door, but she did not dream +they were getting ready to set off on a search by themselves. + +However, this is just what Flossie and Freddie were going to do, and, +after a while, they managed to pack into a pasteboard box what they +thought would be lunch enough for them until they came back with Bert +and Nan. + +"Put in lots of cake," whispered Freddie to Flossie, on one of the +little girl's trips to the pantry. "Cake tastes awful good in the +woods." + +"I will," Flossie whispered back. "And I got some pie, too!" + +"Oh, that's fine!" Freddie exclaimed. "Now we must slip out when they +don't see us." + +This the small Bobbsey twins managed to do. While Mr. Bobbsey, with Old +Jim and Tom Case, was making ready to start on his searching expedition, +to find and bring back Bert and Nan, as well as to take food to lonely +Mrs. Bimby, Flossie and Freddie slipped quietly to the back door with +their queer package of lunch. + +They soon donned their boots, coats and caps, and with their little +hands covered with warm, red mittens, they started off, keeping behind +the cabin so they would not be seen by those in front who were getting +ready to start on the main searching trip. It was snowing a little, but +not nearly so hard as at first, and the wind was not so strong or cold. + +"It'll be fun!" said Flossie to Freddie. + +"Lots of fun!" agreed her twin. "We'll wait until daddy and Mr. Jim and +Mr. Case get in the woods, and then we'll follow 'em. They won't send us +back!" + +"No," agreed Flossie, "I don't guess they will." + +The plan of the little Bobbsey twins was to follow their father on the +search. They did not want to go through the woods alone, even though it +was now daylight, though the sun did not shine because of the snow +clouds. + +And so, a little while after Mr. Bobbsey and the two men started away +from the log cabin, Flossie and Freddie set out on their own little +searching party. Mrs. Bobbsey and Mrs. Baxter were so busy "cleaning up" +after the men left that they gave no thought to the children for a time. + +"There they go!" whispered Flossie to Freddie, as, hiding behind a +woodpile, they saw their father, Mr. Bimby and Tom Case start off. + +"Wait a little, and then we'll go after 'em," advised Freddie. + +As soon as the main party had marched off along the trail that led +through the woods toward the chestnut grove that Bert and Nan had set +out to visit two days before, the small Bobbsey twins set forth. They +went around behind a clump of trees so they would not be seen from the +cabin. + +Flossie and Freddie expected soon to catch up to their father, but the +snow was so deep and the men traveled so fast that, after trudging along +for half an hour, Freddie and his sister had not yet come within sight +of the others. + +"Do you s'pose they ran away from us?" asked Flossie, as she stopped a +moment to rest. + +"Course not," answered Freddie. "They don't even know we're comin' after +'em." + +"That's so," Flossie said. "Well, anyhow, I hope we don't get lost." + +"I do, too," agreed Freddie. "But we have something to eat, anyhow," and +he patted the box of lunch he carried. + +The children looked around them. They were in a lonely part of the +woods, a place they had never been before, but they felt sure they would +soon catch up to their father. They had been following the tracks in the +snow left by the men who had gone to find Bert and Nan and take food to +Mrs. Bimby. + +Suddenly, however, there came a harder flurry of snow, and for a time +Flossie and Freddie could not see very well. And when the little squall, +as sudden storms are called, had passed, the two Bobbsey twins found +they had wandered off to one side of the trail. + +No longer could they see the footprints of their father and the others +in the snow. They had nothing to guide them! + +"Freddie! Look!" cried Flossie, "Where's the path?" She called her +father's snow-track a "path." + +"Why, it--it's gone!" Freddie had to admit. + +And then, as the two little children stood in the lonely snow-filled +woods, they heard, near a bush, a noise that made them suddenly afraid. + +It was a growl that they heard! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX--THE WILDCAT + + +Bert Bobbsey started off bravely enough from the cabin of Mrs. Bimby to +go for help for the old woman, so that food might be taken to her bare +cupboard. + +"And I'll have daddy bring a sled or something so Nan can ride home to +camp on it," thought Bert, as he trudged along through the snow. "It's +hard walking. I wish I had a pair of snowshoes." + +He had started away from the lonely cabin, as I told you two chapters +back. With him he took a little package of lunch, not very much, for he +felt sure he would soon reach Cedar Camp by following the line of the +brook, nor was there much to be got from Mrs. Bimby's bare cupboard. +Even though much snow had fallen, Bert hoped the bed of the brook could +be made out once he came to it. It lay some distance from the cabin, he +thought. + +The Bobbsey twin boy turned, after trudging a little way from the cabin, +and waved his hand at Mrs. Bimby and Nan, who stood near a window +watching him. + +"Your brother is a brave little chap," said Mrs. Bimby. "I do hope he +finds help and brings it back to us." + +"I hope so, too; 'specially something for you to eat," said Nan. + +"Oh, well, we've a little of the rabbit left yet," said the old woman. +"But my tea is 'most gone, and I need it strong on account of my nerves. +If it wasn't for my rheumatiz I'd put on my things and go with Bert. I'd +take you along, though I fear it's going to snow more." + +"I hope it doesn't before Bert gets back to camp," Nan said. "I +shouldn't want him lost all alone." + +"Nor I, dearie," crooned Mrs. Bimby. "But he's a brave lad, and I trust +he gets along all right. Though it has been a bad storm--a bad storm!" +she muttered. + +She put more wood on the fire, for, though the wind had gone down a +little and the snow was not falling so rapidly, it was still cold. But +the blazing wood threw out a grateful heat, and Nan and Mrs. Bimby sat +about the stove, waiting for the help Bert was to send. + +Bert felt a little lonely as he plunged into the woods and lost sight of +the cabin. Though it was daylight, and the woods were not dark because +of the white snow, still Bert felt a little lonesome. He wished Nan had +come with him. + +"But I guess a girl couldn't get along," he said to himself, as he +plunged through drift after drift. Indeed it was hard work for Bert, +sturdy as he was, to wade along, especially as he had on no boots, not +having expected a storm when he and Nan started after chestnuts. + +"Now let me see," said Bert Bobbsey, talking to himself half aloud, to +make his trip seem less lonesome. "The first thing I want to do is to +find the brook. I can follow that back to camp, I'm pretty sure. But +it's a good way from here, I guess." + +He remembered having seen the brook just before he and Nan reached the +first chestnut grove, where they found the squirrels and chipmunks had +taken most of the supply, making the children go farther on. And then +the Bobbsey twins had rather lost sight of the stream of water. + +Bert knew it might be almost hidden from sight under overhanging banks +of snow, but he knew if he could come upon the water course it would be +the surest thing to follow to get back to camp. So as he trudged along, +into and out of drifts, he looked eagerly about for a sign of the brook, +which, as it went on, widened and ran into the mill pond near Cedar +Camp. + +Bert was all by himself in the snowy woods. The cabin, where his sister +and Mrs. Bimby waited for him to bring help, was lost to sight amid the +trees. For the first time since leaving Cedar Camp Bert began to feel +lonesome and afraid. + +It was so still and quiet in the woods! Not a sound! No birds fluttered +through the trees or called aloud. The birds that had not flown south +were, doubtless, keeping under shelter until they dared venture out to +look for food, which some of them would never find. + +"There isn't even a crow!" said Bert aloud, and his voice, in that white +stillness, almost startled him by its loudness. + +He reached the top of a little hill, where there was not quite so much +snow, the wind having blown it off, and there Bert stopped for a moment, +looking about. It was a lonesome and dreary scene that lay before him. +Not a house in sight, only a stretch of snow and trees, and the wind +howled mournfully through the bare, leafless branches. + +"Well, there's no use standing here," murmured Bert to himself. "I've +got to travel on and bring help to Nan and the old lady. I'm glad Nan +has some shelter, anyhow. And I s'pose mother will be worrying about us. +But we couldn't help it. Nobody would guess a storm would come up so +quickly." + +Throwing back his shoulders as he had seen men do when they had some +hard task before them, Bert started off again. Through the snow he +trudged, tossing the white flakes aside with his small but sturdy legs. + +All at once, on the white expanse in front of him, Bert saw a movement. +At first he thought it was just some loose snow, blown about by the +wind, which came in fitful gusts. But as he looked a second time he saw +that it was not the wind. + +"It's some animal!" exclaimed the boy, speaking aloud, for he wanted +company, and, like the men of the desert or wilderness, he fell +naturally into the habit of talking to himself. "It's some animal." + +Having said this Bert came to a stop, for he knew there might be many +sorts of animals in the woods. + +"I wonder what it is," he whispered. Somehow or other a whisper seemed +more the sort of voice to use in that lonesome place. + +A moment later he saw a patch of brown, and then two big ears appeared +to be thrust out of a hole in the snow. + +"It's a rabbit--a bunny!" cried Bert, and he did not whisper this time. + +As he shouted Bert sprang forward through the snow and toward the brown +rabbit that had so unexpectedly appeared. Whether it was the boy's shout +or his quick movement, or both, was not certain, but the rabbit was +frightened and dashed away over the snow, sometimes sinking down almost +out of sight, and again, by some means, keeping on the surface of the +snow, which was packed harder in some places than in others. + +"If I can only get you!" gasped Bert, for his speed through the snow was +making him pant and his breath come short. "I'll get you and take you +back to Nan and Mrs. Bimby! They won't have enough to eat unless I do, +maybe, for it may take me a long while to get back to camp." + +Bert had no weapon--he could not even pick up a stone, for they were all +covered from sight by the mass of white. But the boy had an idea that he +could catch the rabbit alive. + +Bert was not a cruel boy, and under other circumstances he never would +have dreamed of trying to hurt or catch a bunny. But now he felt that +the lives of his sister and Mrs. Bimby might depend on this game. + +"I'll get you! I'll run you down!" muttered Bert. + +Now a rabbit is a very fast-moving animal. Out West there is a kind +called jackrabbits, and they can go faster than the average dog. Only a +greyhound or other long-legged dog can beat a jackrabbit running. But +though this bunny was not a jackrabbit, being the common wild rabbit of +the woods and fields, still it could go faster than could Bert--and in +the snow at that. + +Every now and again Bert would get so near the bunny that he felt sure +that the next moment he would be able to get hold of the long ears. But +every time the rabbit would give a desperate jump and get beyond the +boy's reach. + +"Whew!" exclaimed Bert, as he was forced to stop, because his legs were +so tired and because his breath was so short. "I don't wonder hunters +have to use guns! They never could get much game just by chasing after +it. It wouldn't be any use to set a trap, for I haven't time and I +haven't anything to bait it with. Besides, I guess you're so smart you'd +never be caught in it." + +As Bert came to a stop on top of another little hill where the snow was +partly blown away, the rabbit also halted. It looked back at the boy. +Probably the bunny was as tired as was Bert. + +"If I only had something to throw at you!" murmured the boy. "I can't +find any stones, but I can take a stick." + +There were trees near at hand, and from the low branches of one of these +Bert broke off a number of pieces of dead wood. They cracked like pistol +shots, and, turning around to look at the rabbit, Bert saw it scooting +away over the snow. Probably the little furry creature thought some +hunter was shooting at it. + +"Well, I guess I'll have to give up," said the boy, half aloud. "I'll +only get lost chasing after you. As it is, I guess I've come 'most a +mile out of my way." + +He threw the sticks he had broken off, but he did not come anywhere near +hitting the brown bunny. + +"Oh, well, you're safe! I won't chase you any farther," said Bert. "And +I wouldn't have chased you now, and scared you 'most to death, if the +folks back in the shack weren't so low on food. Maybe I can find +something else." + +Bert floundered about in the snow, following his tracks back before they +should be filled and so hidden from sight. He was about half way to the +place where he had surprised the rabbit when he heard a chattering in a +tree over his head. + +"A squirrel!" exclaimed the boy. "And a grey one, too, or I miss my +guess." + +He kept very still, listening. Again, above the noise of the storm was +heard the sharp, squealing chatter of a squirrel, and, looking up over +his head, Bert saw the animal. It was a large, grey squirrel, with a +tail almost as big as its whole body. + +The squirrel sat up on a limb and looked down at the boy. It may have +been angry or frightened, and it seemed to be scolding Bert as it +chattered at him. Grey squirrels are not such excited scolders as the +little red chaps are, but this one did very well. + +"If you know what's good for you, you'll go back into your nest and stay +there," Bert said. "I can't get you, and you ought to know it, for I +haven't a gun and I never could throw up a stick and knock you down. +You'd be good eating if I could," Bert went on, for he had often heard +his father tell of broiled squirrels. + +Bert could see a hole in the tree half way up the trunk, and he guessed +that here the squirrel had his winter nest. It would be well lined with +dried leaves, soft grass, and perhaps some cotton from the milkweed +pods. Thus the squirrels keep warm, wrapping their big bushy tails about +them. + +"Well, I guess I'll say good-bye to you," went on Bert, as he turned +aside from the squirrel in the tree and resumed his trudging through the +snow. The weather was cold, and Bert was cold likewise. Also he was +tired. His legs ached and his shoulders pained him, for walking through +the snow is not easy work, as you who have tried it know. + +However, he knew that he must keep bravely on, and so, after turning +once or twice, making sure he could not see the cabin, he went along +faster. + +It was because of his speed that an accident happened to Bert which +might have been a very serious one. He was traveling with his head held +down, to keep the falling snow out of his face, when he suddenly felt +himself falling. + +Down, down he went, as though he had stepped into some big hole, or off +some high cliff. He gave a cry of alarm, and threw out both hands to +grasp something to save himself, but there was nothing to grasp. Down, +down went poor Bert! + +It was a good thing there was so much snow on the ground. The piles and +drifts of white flakes were like so many heaps of feathers, and Bert was +thankful when at last, after sliding, slipping, falling and tumbling, he +came to a stop, half buried in a deep drift. He was somewhat shaken up, +and he had dropped his package of lunch, but at first he did not think +he was much hurt until he tried to move his left leg. + +Then such a pain shot through the boy that he had to cry aloud. He shut +his eyes and leaned back against the pile of snow into which he had +fallen. The first flash of pain passed, and he began to feel a little +better. But a terrible thought came to him. + +"What if my leg is broken?" said Bert, half aloud. "I can't walk, I +can't go for help, and I'll have to stay here. Daddy or nobody will know +where to find me--not even Nan or Mrs. Bimby! Oh, this is terrible!" + +But he knew he must be brave, for he had to help not only himself but +his sister and the old woman in the cabin. Clenching his teeth to keep +back the cry of pain which he felt would come when he moved his leg +again, Bert shifted it a little to one side. The spasm of pain came, but +not so bad as at first. + +"Maybe it's only broken a little," thought the boy. "And I can crawl, if +I can't walk." He had read of hunters and trappers who, with a broken or +badly cut leg, had crawled miles over the snow to get help. Bert wanted +to be as brave as these heroes. + +But when he moved his leg for the third time and found the pain not +quite so bad, he began to take heart. He brushed away the snow from both +legs and looked at them. They appeared to be all right, but the left one +felt a little queer. And it was not until he had managed to pull himself +up, by means of a stunted bush showing through the snow, that Bert knew +his leg was not broken. + +It was strained a little, and it hurt some when he bore his weight on +it, but he found that he could at least walk, if he could not run, and +he was thankful for this. He looked up toward the place from where he +had fallen, and saw that, without knowing it, he had stepped over the +edge of a steep hill. The snow had hidden the edge from Bert, and he had +plunged right over it. + +"Where's my lunch?" he asked aloud, and then he saw the package, which +had fallen to one side of the place where he had plunged into the drift. +Bert picked it up, and then, thankful that his accident was no worse, he +went on again. + +"I guess maybe the brook is here," he said, for he noticed that he was +down in a valley, and he knew that water always sought low levels. "I'll +walk along here," said Bert. + +He was so frightened, thinking of what might have happened if he had +been crippled and unable to walk, that he did not feel hungry, though it +was some time since breakfast. On he trudged through the snow, looking +for signs of the brook, which he hoped would lead him to Cedar Camp. + +It was while he was passing through a clump of woods that Bert received +another fright--one that caused him to run on as fast as he could, in +spite of his aching leg. + +He had gone half way through the clump of trees, and he was wondering if +he would ever come to the brook, when suddenly he heard a noise in a +clump of bushes. The noise sounded louder than usual, because it was all +so still and quiet near him. + +Before Bert could guess what caused the sound, he saw, pushing its way +through the underbrush, a tawny animal, with black spots underneath and +with little tufts of hair on its ears. At once Bert knew what this +was--a wildcat, or lynx! + +For a moment Bert was so frightened that he just stood still, looking at +the wildcat. And then, as the animal gave a sort of snarl and growl, the +boy turned with a yell of fright and ran off through the snow as fast as +he could go! + + + + +CHAPTER XX--SNOWBALL BULLETS + + +About the time that Bert Bobbsey was running through the snow, to get +away from the wildcat, Flossie and Freddie were having a scare of their +own, some miles distant from him, though in the same woods around Cedar +Camp. + +The two smaller Bobbsey twins had gone off without letting their father +or mother know, taking with them a lunch. They tramped through the +forest until they came to a lonely place and had not yet caught sight of +their father, who had started off ahead with Old Jim Bimby and Tom Case. +Right here the small twins heard a growl and saw a movement in the +bushes. + +"What's that?" asked Flossie, shrinking closer to Freddie. + +"I--I don't know," Freddie answered, trying to think of something to +make him brave. "Maybe it's a bear!" + +"A bear?" questioned his sister. + +"Yep!" Freddie went on, his eyes never moving from the bush that seemed +to hide some animal. "Maybe it's a bear like the one we found the skin +of in the attic." + +"It--it can't be the _same one_ coming back for his skin, can it?" asked +Flossie. + +"Course not!" declared Freddie. "How could a bear go 'round without his +skin on?" + +"Well, a bear's skin is just the same to him as our clothes are to us," +Flossie went on. "An' sometimes, when we go swimming, we don't have very +many clothes on." + +"Well, a bear is different," said Freddie. + +"Oh, look!" suddenly cried the little girl, and, pointing to the bush +with one hand, she clung to Freddie's arm with the other. "He's coming +out! He's coming out!" she exclaimed. + +A shaggy head could be seen thrusting itself from the bushes, and the +children were wondering what sort of animal it could be, for it did not +look like a bear, when, with a joyful bark, there burst out in front of +them--the shaggy dog belonging to Tom Case! + +Rover--Rover was the name of the dog--rushed toward Flossie and Freddie, +leaping joyfully and wagging his tail. He had made friends with the +children as soon as they came to Cedar Camp, and they loved Rover. + +"Oh, hello!" cried Flossie, as if greeting an old friend. + +"He's glad to see us and we're glad to see him," said Freddie. + +This seemed to be true, though I think Flossie and Freddie were more +pleased to see Rover than he was to see them, for the dog knew how to +find his way home, and even trace and find his master if need be, while, +to tell you the truth, Flossie and Freddie were lost, though they did +not yet know it. But they were soon to find this out. + +"Did you come looking for us?" asked Flossie, as she patted the shaggy +animal. + +"I guess he did," Freddie said. "I guess he'd rather come with us than +with daddy and the others. Though we'll take Rover to 'em, won't we?" + +"Yes," agreed Flossie. "But we must hurry up and catch 'em, Freddie. We +want to see Mrs. Bimby and tell her about the nice warm bear robe." + +"Sush! Don't speak so loud," cautioned Freddie, looking over his +shoulder. + +"Why not?" Flossie wanted to know. + +"I mean about the bear robe," her brother went on. "There might be some +bears in the woods, and if they heard there was the skin of one of 'em +at the cabin, maybe they wouldn't like it." + +"Maybe that's so," agreed Flossie, also looking around. "But, anyhow, +Rover'd drive the bears away; wouldn't you, Rover?" + +The dog barked and wagged his tail, which was the only answer he could +give. It satisfied the children, and soon they started off again, making +their way through the snow, hoping they would soon catch up with their +father, Mr. Case and Mr. Bimby. Rover accompanied Flossie and Freddie, +sometimes ahead of them and sometimes behind. + +The dog had started out, as he often did, to follow his master, but had +lagged behind, perhaps to run after a rabbit or squirrel. Then he had +come across the tracks of the children and had gone to them, knowing +they were friends of his. + +"I'm hungry," said Flossie, after a while. "Let's sit under a Christmas +tree and eat, Freddie." + +"All right," agreed her brother, always willing to do this. + +They were, just then, in a clump of evergreen trees, and under some the +snow was not as deep as it was in the open. In fact the children found +one tree with no snow under it at all, so thick were the branches, and +so close to the ground did they come. Crawling into this little nest, +where the ground was covered with the dry needles from the pines and +other trees, Flossie and Freddie opened the packages of lunch they had +brought with them. + +Rover, smelling the food, crawled into the shelter after them, and +Flossie and Freddie shared their lunch with the dog, who even ate the +crumbs off the ground. + +"But we mustn't eat everything," said Freddie, when part of the lunch +had been disposed of, Rover getting his share. + +"Why not?" asked Flossie. "Can't you eat all you want to when you're +hungry?" + +"It's best to save some," Freddie answered. "Maybe we'll get stuck in +the snow and can't get anything more to eat for a while, and then we'll +be glad to have this." + +"That's so," agreed Flossie, after thinking it over. "I guess I'm not so +very hungry. But Rover is. He's terrible hungry, Freddie. See him look +at the lunch." + +Indeed the dog seemed to be following, with hungry eyes, every motion of +the little boy who was wrapping up again that part of the lunch not +eaten by him and his sister. They saved about half of it. + +Rover sniffed and snuffed as only a dog can, but he made no effort to +take the lunch that Freddie placed in a crotch of the evergreen tree +which made such a nice shelter for him and his sister. + +"Don't you take it, Rover!" cautioned Flossie, shaking her finger at +him. + +Rover thumped his tail on the ground, perhaps to show that he would be +good and mind. + +"It's nice and warm in here," Freddie remarked, after a while. "I wish +we could stay here longer, Flossie." + +"Can't we?" + +"Not if we want to go to Mrs. Bimby's," Freddie answered. "We have to +get out and walk some more. And it's snowing again, too." + +Whether it was or not, the children could not be quite certain, for the +wind was blowing, and if the flakes were not falling from the sky they +were blowing up off the ground. + +It was almost the same, anyhow, for there was a fine shower of the cold, +white flakes in the air, and it was much more cosy and warm under the +tree than out in the open. + +"Let's stay here a little longer," begged Flossie. "Rover likes it here, +don't you?" she asked, as she reached out her hand and patted the shaggy +back of the dog. + +And from the manner in which Rover thumped his tail on the ground you +could tell that he did, indeed, like to be with the little Bobbsey twins +under the shelter of the tree. + +"I know what we can do," said Freddie, after thinking a moment. "I know +what we can do to have some fun!" + +"What?" asked Flossie, always ready for anything of this sort. + +"We'll throw a lot of these pine cones outside, and Rover will chase +after 'em and bring 'em back," went on Freddie. "He likes to run out in +the snow. And after we play that awhile maybe it will be nicer outside." + +"All right," agreed Flossie. "We'll throw pine cones." + +There were many of these on the pine-needle covered ground beneath the +sheltering tree. The cones were really the clusters of seeds from the +tree, and they had become hard and dry so they made excellent things to +throw for a dog to bring back. + +Rover liked to race after sticks when thrown by the children, and the +pine cones were ever so much better than sticks. There were so many of +them, too. + +"I'll throw first, and then it will be your turn, Flossie," Freddie +said. "Here, Rover!" he called to the dog, as he picked up several of +the cones. + +Always ready for a lark of this sort, Rover leaped to his feet and stood +at "attention." Freddie bent aside some of the branches and tossed a +pine cone out of the opening. + +It fell in a bank of snow some distance away, for Freddie was a good +thrower for a little boy. And the pine cone, being light, did not sink +down in the snow as a stone would have done. + +"Bow-wow!" barked Rover, as he dashed out after the pine cone. + +That was his way of saying he would bring it back as quickly as he +could. And as Rover rushed from under the little green tent of the pine +tree Flossie gave a cry of surprise. + +"What's the matter?" asked Freddie, turning around to look at his +sister. + +"Rover knocked me down!" she answered with a laugh, and, surely enough, +there she was sprawling on the brown pine needles which covered the +ground under the tree. "He just bunked into me and knocked me over!" + +Rover was not used to playing with children, you see, and he was a bit +rough. But he didn't mean to be. + +Flossie sat up, still laughing, for she was not in the least hurt, and +by this time Rover had brought back the pine cone that Freddie had +tossed out. + +"Good dog, Rover!" cried Freddie, patting the animal as he laid down the +cone and wagged his tail. "Now it's your turn to throw one, Flossie," +Freddie said. + +"All right," Flossie answered. "But look out he doesn't knock you down, +Freddie." + +"I'm looking out!" Freddie said, and he quickly moved over to one side +of the space under the tree, while Flossie threw out her cone. + +Flossie was not quite so good a thrower of sticks, stones, or pine cones +as was her brother. But she did pretty well. Though her cone did not go +as far as Freddie's had, it sank farther down into the snow. Maybe the +cone was a heavier one, or it may have fallen in a softer place in the +snow. Anyhow it went quite deep into a drift and Rover had to dig with +his forepaws to get it so he could take it in his mouth. + +"Oh, look at him!" cried Flossie, as the dog, digging away, made the +snow fly in a shower back of him. "He's like a snowplow on the +railroad!" + +Once, in a big storm, Flossie and Freddie had seen the railroad +snowplow, pushed by two locomotives, cut through a high drift. And the +way Rover scattered the snow made the little girl think of the plow. + +"Bring it here, Rover!" cried Freddie, for it would be his turn next to +throw a cone. + +"Bow-wow!" barked the dog, and then, with a final dive into the drift, +he got the brown cone in his mouth and came racing back with it. Covered +with snow as he was, he crawled under the shelter to be petted and +talked kindly to by Freddie and Flossie. + +Then, just as he probably did when he came out of the water in the +summer time, Rover gave himself a shake, to get rid of the snowflakes. + +"Oh! Oh!" laughed Flossie, holding her hands over her face. "Stop it, +Rover! You're getting me all snow!" + +But Rover kept it up until he had got off all the snow, and then he +raced out again after more cones as the children threw them. + +If Bert Bobbsey could have known where his little sister and brother +were, with brave old Rover beside them, I am sure he would have wished +to join them. For Bert, about this time, was running away from the +wildcat that had suddenly burst through the bushes. + +"You're not going to get me!" said Bert to himself, as he clutched his +package of lunch and raced on as well as he could. + +The pain in his leg bothered him, but he was not going to stop for a +thing like that and let a wildcat maul him. On he ran through the snow, +taking the easiest path he could find. He looked back over his shoulder +once or twice, to find the wildcat bounding lightly along after him. + +And after he had looked back and had seen the size of the animal and +noticed that there was only one, somehow or other Bert became braver, +and he had an idea that perhaps he might drive this beast away. + +Wildcats, or bobcats as they are sometimes called, being also known as +the bay lynx, are not as large as a good-sized dog. They weigh about +thirty pounds, and though they have sharp teeth and claws they very +seldom attack persons. Only when they are disturbed, or fear that +someone is going to harm their little ones or take away their food, do +bobcats run after persons. + +And this one must have thought Bert was going to do it some harm, for +the animal certainly chased the lad. + +"Ho!" said Bert to himself, as he looked back, "you're not so big! Maybe +you have got sharp teeth and claws, but if you don't get near me you +can't hurt me! I'm going to make you go back!" + +Bert had a sudden idea of how he might do this--with snowball bullets. +All about him was snow--piles of it--and Bert had often taken part in +snowball fights at home. He was a good thrower, and once he had +snowballed a savage dog that had run at Flossie and Freddie and had +caused the animal to run yelping away. + +"I'm going to snowball this wildcat!" decided Bert. + +He ran on a little farther until he came to a small clearing where the +trees stood in an irregular ring around an open place. There Bert +decided to make a stand and see if he could not drive the chasing +wildcat away. + +"And if he won't go, and comes after me," thought Bert, "I can climb a +tree." + +He did not know, or else had forgotten, that wildcats themselves are +very good tree-climbers. + +Reaching the other side of the clearing, Bert laid his package of lunch +down on a firm place in the snow, and then rapidly began to make some +hard, round balls. He packed them with all his might between his +mittened hands, for he knew a soft snowball would not be of much use +against a wildcat. + +He had been some distance ahead of the animal, and when it ran up to the +edge of the clearing Bert had several snowballs ready. + +"Come on now! See how you like that!" cried the boy. He threw one +snowball "bullet," but he was so excited that it went high over the head +of the bobcat. The next one struck in the snow at the feet of the +animal. But the third one hit it right on the nose! + +"Good shot!" cried Bert. + +The wildcat uttered a snarl and a growl, and stopped for a moment. +Perhaps it had never before chased anyone who threw snowballs. + +"Have another!" cried Bert, and the next white bullet struck it on the +side. The bobcat leaped up in the air, and then Bert threw another ball +which hit it on the head. + +This was too much for the creature. With a loud howl it turned and ran +back into the woods, and Bert breathed easier. + +"Well, I guess as long as I can throw snowballs you won't get me," he +said to himself, as he picked up the package of lunch and hurried on. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI--ON THE ROCK + + +Bert Bobbsey felt very proud of himself after he had driven away the +wildcat with snowballs. And I think he had a right to be proud. Not many +boys of his age would have dared to stand and await the oncoming of a +beast that is quite dangerous once it starts to claw and bite. But Bert +had spent so much time in the woods and out in the open that he was very +self-reliant. + +And so, after looking back once or twice as he left the clearing, and +finding that the bobcat did not follow, Bert began to feel much better. + +"I'll soon be at Cedar Camp," he said to himself, "and then I'll be all +right. I'll send 'em back to get Nan and take something to eat to Mrs. +Bimby. I'll be glad to see Flossie and Freddie again." + +Had Bert only known it, Flossie and Freddie were nearer to him than if +they had been in Cedar Camp, though the small Bobbsey twins were still +some distance from their brother. + +And while Mr. Bobbsey was forging ahead through the snow with Old Jim +Bimby and Tom Case, knowing nothing, of course, about his little boy and +girl having followed him, Mrs. Bobbsey was having worries of her own +about the absence of the small children from the cabin. + +She and Mrs. Baxter had missed Flossie and Freddie soon after the men +had started on the searching trip, but, for a time, the mother of the +two small twins was not at all worried. She thought Flossie and Freddie +had merely run out to play a little, as it was the first chance they had +had since the big storm began. + +But when, after a while, they had not come back to the cabin, and she +could see nothing of them, Mrs. Bobbsey said: + +"Mrs. Baxter, have you seen Flossie and Freddie?" + +"No, Mrs. Bobbsey, I haven't," answered the cook. "But it looks as if +they had been in the pantry, for things there are all upset." + +Mrs. Bobbsey looked around the kitchen and pantry, and she at once +guessed part of what had happened. + +"They've packed up lunch for themselves," she said to the housekeeper, +"and they've gone out to play. Well, they'll be all right as long as +they stay around here and it doesn't storm again. I'll go and look for +them in a few minutes." + +But when she did look and call Flossie and Freddie, they were not to be +found. Indeed, they were more than a mile away by this time, and they +had just met Rover, as I have told you. + +"I'm glad Rover's with us, aren't you, Freddie?" asked Flossie, as they +made ready to set off again, after having eaten their lunch. + +"Lots glad," answered the little boy. "Mrs. Bimby will be glad to see +him, I guess." + +Indeed Mrs. Bimby, left alone with Nan after Bert had gone out, would +have been glad to see almost anyone. For she was worried because her +husband was away and because there was so little left in the house to +eat, only she did not want to tell Nan so. And she did not think she +could shoot another rabbit, as Bert had done. + +"I do hope that boy will find my Jim or someone and bring help," thought +Mrs. Bimby. + +And of course Mr. Bobbsey with Old Jim and Tom Case were on their way to +the cabin, but they had to go slowly on account of so much snow. + +The snow was worse for Flossie and Freddie than for any of the others in +the woods, because the legs of the small twins were so short. It was +hard work for them to wade through the drifts. But they felt a little +better after their rest under the "Christmas tree," as Flossie called +it, and after they had eaten some of their lunch. So on they trudged +again. + +"Maybe we can find daddy's lost Christmas trees," suggested Freddie, +after a while. + +"Wouldn't he be glad if we did?" cried Flossie. "Here, Rover! Come +back!" she called, for the dog was running too far ahead to please her +and Freddie. + +The dog came racing back, scattering the snow about as he plunged +through it, and Flossie patted his shaggy head. + +"Don't you think we'll find daddy pretty soon?" asked Flossie, after she +and Freddie had trudged on for perhaps half an hour longer. "I'm getting +tired in my legs." + +"So'm I," her brother admitted. "I wish we could find 'em. But if we +don't, pretty soon, we'll go back, 'cause I think it's going to snow +some more." + +Indeed, the sky seemed to be getting darker behind the veil of snow +clouds that hung over it, and some swirling flakes of white began +sifting down. + +Freddie came to a stop and looked about him. He was tired, and so was +Flossie. The only one of the party who seemed to enjoy racing about in +the drifts was Rover. He never appeared to get tired. + +"I guess maybe we'd better go back," said Freddie, after thinking it +over. "We haven't much left to eat, and I guess daddy can tell Mrs. +Bimby about the bear skin to keep her warm." + +"I guess so," agreed Flossie. "It's going to be night pretty soon." + +It would be some hours until night, however, and the darkness was caused +by gathering storm clouds, but Flossie and Freddie did not know that. +They turned about, and began to go back along the way they had come. At +least they thought they were doing that, but they had not gone far +before Flossie said: + +"Freddie, we've come the wrong way." + +"How do you know?" he asked. + +"'Cause we aren't stepping in our own tracks like we would be if we went +back straight." + +Freddie looked at the snow. It was true. There was no sign of the tracks +they must have made in walking along. Before this they had known which +way they were going. Now they didn't. + +"We--we're lost!" faltered Flossie. + +"Oh, maybe not," said Freddie as cheerfully as he could. But still, when +he realized that they had not walked along their back track, he knew +they must be going farther into the woods, or at least away from Cedar +Camp. + +"Oh, I don't like to be lost!" wailed Flossie. "I want to go home!" + +Freddie did too, but he hoped he wouldn't cry about it. Boys must be +brave and not cry, he thought. + +But as the little Bobbsey twins stood there, not knowing what to do, it +suddenly became colder, the wind sprang up, and down came a blinding +storm of snow, so thick that they could not see Rover, who, a moment +before, had been tumbling about in the drifts near them. + +"Oh! Oh!" cried Flossie. "Let's go home, Freddie!" + +But where was "home" or camp? How were they to get there? + +And so, soon after Bert had driven off the wildcat and had run on, this +Bobbsey lad, too, was caught in the same snow storm that had frightened +Flossie and Freddie. But of course Bert did not know that. + +"Say, we've had enough snow for a winter and a half already," thought +Bert, as he saw more white flakes coming down. "And it isn't Christmas +yet! I hope I'm not going to be snowed in out here all alone! I'd better +hurry!" + +As Bert trudged along through the storm he found himself becoming +thirsty. If you have ever walked a long distance, even in a snowstorm, +you may have felt the same way yourself. And perhaps you have tried to +quench your thirst and cool your mouth by eating snow. If you have, you +doubtless remember that instead of getting less thirsty you were only +made more so. This is what always happens when a person eats snow. Ice +is different, if you hold pieces of it in your mouth until it melts. + +"My! I wish I had a drink," exclaimed Bert, speaking aloud, as he had +done a number of times since setting out alone to bring help to Nan and +Mrs. Bimby. "I wish I had a drink of water!" + +Now Bert Bobbsey knew better than to eat dry snow. Once when he was a +small boy, smaller even than Freddie, he had been playing out in the +snow and had eaten it whenever he felt thirsty. As a result he had been +made ill. + +"Never eat snow again, Bert," his father had told him at the time. And +to make Bert remember Mr. Bobbsey had read the boy a story of travelers +in the Arctic regions searching for the North Pole. The story told how, +no matter how tired or cold these travelers were, they always stopped to +melt the snow and make water or tea of it when they were thirsty. They +never ate dry snow. + +"I've either got to find a spring to get a drink, or melt some of this +snow," said Bert to himself, as he walked on, limping a little, though +his leg was feeling better than at first. "But I guess if I did find a +spring it would be frozen over. Now how can I melt some snow?" + +Bert had been on camping trips with his father, and he had often seen +Mr. Bobbsey make use of things he found beside the road or in the woods +to help out in a time of some little trouble. With this in mind, the boy +began to look around for something that would help him get a drink of +water, or to melt some snow into water which he could drink after it had +cooled. + +But to melt snow needed a fire, he knew, and also something that would +hold the snow before and after it was melted. + +"I need a pan or a can and a fire," decided Bert. "I wonder if I have +any matches?" + +He felt in his pockets and found some, though he did not usually carry +them, for they are rather dangerous for children. But Bert felt that he +was now getting to be quite a boy. + +"Well, here's a start," he said to himself as he felt the matches in his +pocket. But he did not take them out, for the snow was blowing about, +and Bert knew that a wet match was as bad as none at all. He must keep +his matches dry as the old settlers were advised to "keep their powder +dry." + +"If I could only make a fire," thought Bert, coming to a stop and +looking about him at a spot that looked as if it might once have been a +camp. All he could see was a waste of snow and some trees. But wood for +fires, he knew, grew on trees, though any wood which could be made to +burn must be dry. + +"Maybe I could scrape away some snow and make a fire," thought Bert. +"The thing I need most, though, is a tin can to hold snow and water. +Ouch! My leg hurts!" he exclaimed. + +His leg, just then, seemed to get a "kink" in it, as he said afterward. +He kicked out, as football players do sometimes when their legs get +twisted. + +As it happened, Bert kicked his foot into a little pile of snow, and +next he was surprised to find that he had kicked something out. At first +it seemed to be a lump of ice, but as it rolled a few feet and the snow +fell away, the boy found that he had kicked into view an empty tin +tomato can! + +"Here's luck!" cried Bert, as he sprang after the can before it could be +covered from sight in the snow again. "This sure is luck! I can melt +some snow in this now!" + +Taking the can in his hand he knocked it against his shoe, thus getting +rid of the snow that filled it. The can was opened half way, and the tin +top was bent back, making a sort of handle to it, which Bert was glad to +see. It would enable him without burning his fingers to lift the can off +the fire he intended to build. + +"All I need now is some dry wood, and I can make a fire and melt snow to +make water," he said aloud. "If I had some tea I could make a regular +hot drink, like they have up at the North Pole. But I guess water will +be all right. Now for some wood!" + +He made his way over to a clump of trees and, by kicking away the snow, +he managed to find some dead sticks. As the snow was dry they were not +very wet, but Bert feared they were not dry enough to kindle quickly. +And he had only a few matches. + +"I've got some paper, though," he told himself, as lie felt in his +pockets. "A little soft, dry wood, and that, will start a fire and the +other wood will burn, even if it is a little damp." + +One of the lessons Bert's father had taught him was to make a campfire, +and Bert put some of this instruction to use now. He hunted about until +he found a fallen log, and by clearing away the snow at one end he +revealed a rotten end. This soft wood made very good tinder, to start a +fire. + +The outer end of the rotten log was rather damp. But by kicking away +this latter, Bert got at some wood that was quite dry--just what he +wanted. + +He swung his foot that was not lame from side to side, clearing a place +on the ground at one side of the log, and there he laid his paper and +the wood to start his fire. + +You may be sure Bert was very anxious as he struck one of his few +matches and held it to the paper. He hardly breathed as he watched the +tiny flame. And then, all at once, the blaze flickered out after it had +caught one edge of the paper! + +"This is bad luck!" murmured Bert. "I've got a few more chances, +though." + +He crumpled up the paper in a different shape, arranged it carefully +under the pile of splinters and rotten wood, and struck another match. +This time he made sure to hold in his breath completely, for it was his +breath before, he feared, that had blown out the match. + +This time the paper caught and blazed up merrily. Bert wanted to shout +and cry "hurrah!" but he did not. The fire was not really going yet, and +he was getting more and more thirsty all the while. It was all he could +do not to scoop up some of the dry snow and cram it into his mouth. But +he held back. + +"I'll have some water melted in a little while," he told himself. "My +fire is going now." + +And, indeed, the tiny flame had caught the soft wood and was beginning +to ignite the twigs. From them the larger and heavier pieces of wood +would catch, and then he could set the can of snow on to melt into +water. + +Still hardly daring to breathe, Bert fed his fire in the shelter of the +half snow-covered log. It was beginning to melt the snow all around it +now, but of course this melted snow ran away and was lost. Bert could +not drink that. + +When the fire was going well, Bert kicked around on the ground under the +log until he found some stones. With these he made a little fireplace, +enclosing the blaze, and when he had some embers there, with more wood +at hand to pile on, he brought the can to the fire and scooped the tin +full of snow. + +"This is going to be my teakettle," said Bert, with a little smile. +"Mother and Nan would laugh if they could see me now." + +If you have ever melted a pan of snow on even so good a fire as is in +your mother's kitchen range, you know that snow melts very slowly. It +was this way with Bert. He thought the snow in the can would never melt +down into water, and when it did, and was fairly boiling, he took hold +of the top and threw all the water out! + +Why did he do that? you ask. Well, because he wanted to be sure the can +was clean, and his mother had told him that boiling water would destroy +almost any kind of germ. The can might have had germs in it, having lain +outdoors a long time. + +"But now I guess it's clean," Bert said, as he again filled it with snow +after he had rinsed it out. Then he waited for the second quantity of +snow to melt, and when this had cooled, which did not take very long, +Bert took a drink. The snow water did not taste very good--boiled water +very seldom does--but it was safer than eating dry snow. + +"Well, now I must travel on," said Bert, as he scattered snow over the +fire to put it out. "I'll carry a little water with me in the can, for I +may get thirsty again. It won't freeze for a while." + +He walked along as fast as he could, with the pain in his leg, but the +snow came down harder and faster and the wind blew colder. Bert looked +about for some place of shelter and saw where one tree had blown over +against another, making a sort of little den, or cave, near the side of +a high rock, which was so steep that the snow had not clung to it, +leaving the big stone bare. + +"I'll go in there and stay awhile," thought Bert, as he caught sight of +this shelter. "Maybe the storm won't last long." + +But as he started to enter the place he heard a growl! There was a +scurrying in the dried leaves that formed a carpet for the den, and +then, in the half-darkness, Bert saw two green eyes staring at him! He +smelled a wild odor, too, that told him some beast of the forest dwelt +in this den. + +"Oh! A wildcat!" cried Bert, as, a moment later, there sprang out at him +the same animal, or one very like it, that he had snowballed a little +while before. Probably it was another lynx, but Bert did not stop to +think of this. + +[Illustration: "OH, BERT!" CRIED FREDDIE, "WE'RE LOST!"] + +Forgetting his plan of using snowball bullets, Bert dropped his little +bundle of lunch, part of which he had eaten, and began to climb the +nearest tree. + +He learned then, if he did not know it before, that a wildcat, which was +the animal he had surprised in its den, is a good tree-climber; as good +as your house cat, or even better. + +When half way up the tree, Bert looked down and saw the yellow wildcat +coming after him. Probably the animal thought that Bert had no right +near its den. + +"This is bad!" thought Bert, as he climbed higher and higher. Then, as +he saw the beast still coming, he realized that he must, somehow, get +away. He saw the big rock not far from the tree. The rock had a small +flat top, covered with snow, but the sides were smooth and almost +straight up and down, and had no snow on them. + +"If I could get there the wildcat couldn't get me," thought Bert. "And +if it tries to jump after me I can snowball it. I'm going to get on the +rock!" + +It was the best plan he could think of, and a moment later, having got +in good position, he gave a jump, left the tree, and landed in the soft +snow on top of the big rock. + +With a snarl and a growl the wildcat stopped climbing up as it saw what +the boy had done. Then it began climbing down the tree while Bert, from +his place of safety, watched. He wondered what the bobcat would do. + +The animal walked over to where Bert had dropped his package of lunch +and began tearing at the paper. + +"Maybe if he eats that he won't want to get me," thought Bert. "But how +long shall I have to stay here?" + +The wildcat, having eaten Bert's lunch, which did not take long, looked +up at the boy on the rock. It sniffed at the base of the big stone, and +reared up with its forepaws against it. + +"You can't climb here!" called Bert aloud. "If you do I'll hit you on +the nose with snowballs!" + +And then, as though to add to the boy's troubles, it began to snow hard, +a wall of white flakes falling around the lone laddie on the big rock. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII--FOUND AT LAST + + +Bert Bobbsey was really frightened and alarmed, caught as he was in the +storm on the big rock, with a wildcat sniffing around at the bottom. He +could not even see well enough to throw snowballs at the creature, and, +even if he could have driven it away, he felt that it would not be safe +for him to come down off the big stone. + +"He can't get me while I'm up here, I don't believe," said Bert to +himself. "But I can't stay here very long, or I'll be snowed under. What +shall I do?" + +Indeed he was in what he said afterward was a "regular pickle." And then +Bert thought of calling for help. He wondered why he had not done that +before. + +Standing up on the high rock Bert sent his voice shouting out into the +storm. + +"Help! Help! Help!" he shouted. + +Bert did not know just whom he expected to help him. He did not know how +far he was from Mrs. Bimby's cabin, nor how far he was away from Cedar +Camp. All he knew was that he was in trouble and needed help. The only +way was to shout as loudly as he could. + +At his first call the wildcat at the foot of the rock snarled, growled, +and tried to leap up. But the sides were too steep and smooth. Bert +could catch glimpses of the animal when the snow came down a little less +heavily now and again, making a sort of opening in the white curtain. + +"Help! Help! Help!" cried Bert again and again. + +Curiously enough it was Flossie and Freddie, who in the blizzard had +wandered near to the rock, who heard Bert's cry. Through the storm the +voice came to them, though of course they did not know it was their +brother calling. + +"Hark!" exclaimed Freddie, who, with his sister, had been floundering +about in the drifts, the small Bobbsey twins trying to find their former +tracks in the snow so they could work their way back. But the flakes had +fallen into their footprints, and had been blown over them so deeply +that the prints were blotted out. + +"Do you hear that?" asked Freddie of Flossie. + +"Yes," she answered, as the voice came to her ears. "It's somebody +saying he'll help us." + +That is what she thought it was--someone wanting to help her and +Freddie, not someone in need of help. + +Again came the call, and it sounded so close that the two small Bobbsey +twins knew which way to go to reach it. + +"We're coming! We're coming!" shouted Freddie. "Come on, Rover! I guess +that's daddy coming to help us! We're coming!" + +With a bark the dog bounded through the storm after the two children, +and you can imagine how surprised Bert Bobbsey on the rock was when he +heard shouts in answer to his own. He did not know, of course, that +Freddie and Flossie were anywhere near him. He thought it was his father +and some of the men from Cedar Camp. + +A little later the small Bobbsey twins came within sight of the big +rock. They could not see Bert on it on account of the blinding snow. But +Rover caught the smell of the wildcat, and with a savage bark he sprang +to drive the creature away. + +"Good old Rover! Good dog!" cried Bert, as the snow stopped for a moment +and he caught sight of the dog that he knew. "Sic him, Rover!" + +And Rover rushed at the wildcat with such fierceness that the beast +scuttled back to its den under the half-fallen tree. And then Bert +looked and saw Flossie and Freddie. + +At the same time the small Bobbsey twins looked up and caught a glimpse +of their brother on the rock. + +"Oh, Bert!" cried Freddie, "did you come out to look for us? We're +lost!" + +"So am I, I guess," Bert answered, as he jumped down, landing in a bank +of soft snow and beginning to pet Rover. "Where in the world did you +children come from?" + +"We came out after daddy and Mr. Jim and Mr. Case," Freddie went on. +"They're going to take some things to Mrs. Bimby." + +"Mrs. Bimby!" cried Bert "Why, I left her and Nan this morning. They +haven't got hardly anything left to eat. But where is the camp?" + +"Don't you know?" asked Freddie. "We don't know. We're lost." + +"That's bad," said Bert, looking at the swirling snow all about. "And +the wildcat ate my lunch." + +"We've a little left," Flossie said. "Did you save any chestnuts, Bert?" + +"I brought some, but I ate 'em. But Nan's got some, back at Mrs. Bimby's +cabin, if we can find it. You say daddy started out after us?" + +"Yes, to find you and Nan and take something to Mrs. Bimby," explained +Freddie. "Her husband was at our camp. He got lost in the snow, and he +said his wife didn't have anything in the cupboard." + +"She didn't--not very much," Bert said. "I shot a rabbit, but I guess +that's all eaten now. But say, you two oughtn't to be out here alone!" + +"We're not alone now," Flossie said. "We got you with us!" + +"Well, I'm glad you met me," Bert said. "And I'm glad Rover drove that +wildcat away. I scared one with snowballs, but I couldn't hit this one +very well. Now we'd better try to get back to camp. I guess there's +going to be another storm." + +"Will it snow a whole lot and cover us all up?" asked Flossie, +anxiously. + +The poor little girl had had quite enough of snow, cold wind, blizzards, +and bad weather of all sorts. + +"Oh, I guess maybe it won't snow so very hard," answered Bert. He did +not want to confess to Flossie and Freddie that he was a bit frightened. + +"Maybe Rover could show us which way to go to find Cedar Camp," +suggested Freddie. "Dogs are smart, and Rover is a good dog." + +"He was nice to us when we sat under the pine tree," went on Flossie. +"And he ran out and brought in pine cones and he shook himself and made +snow fly all over me." + +"You didn't try to eat pine cones, did you?" asked Bert. + +"Oh, no," Flossie answered. "We just threw them for Rover to play with. +But I'm too tired to play now. I want to go to bed." + +"Oh, Flossie, you don't want to go to bed now, do you?" asked Bert. +"Why, if you were to lie down in the snow you'd freeze." + +"I don't want to go to sleep in the snow," Flossie said, and she was +beginning to whine a little. No wonder, for it had been a hard day for +her and Freddie. + +"No, I don't want to sleep in the snow," the little girl said. "I want +my own little bunk at the camp." + +"Well, we'll be there pretty soon," Bert said, as kindly as he could. + +"Carry me!" begged Flossie, when she had stumbled on a little farther, +walking between her two brothers. + +"All right. I guess I can carry you," said Bert, but he was worrying +about his leg a little. It was not so bad when he bore his own weight on +it. But could he carry Flossie? + +However, he was not going to give up without trying, and so, when they +came to a little sheltered place, where the snow was not quite so deep, +Bert stooped down. + +"I'll take you pickaback, Flossie," he said. + +"Oh, I like that!" laughed his sister, as she climbed up on her +brother's back. + +Bert was not sure whether or not he was going to like it, but he said +nothing. He had to shut his teeth tight to keep from crying out with +pain as he straightened up with Flossie on his back, for her weight, +small as she was, put too much weight on his injured leg. Flossie was +quite "chunky" for her size, as Dinah was wont to say. + +"Hold steady now, Flossie," directed Bert, as he straightened up. "Put +your arms around my neck." + +"I guess I know how to ride piggy-back!" laughed Flossie. She was not so +tired now, when something like this happened to change her thoughts. + +Bert staggered along through the snow with his sister on his back. +Though he did not want to say so, his leg hurt him very much. But he +tried not to limp, though Freddie at last noticed it, and asked: + +"Have you got a stone in your shoe, Bert?" + +"Oh, no, I--I just sprained it a little," Bert answered in a low voice, +so Flossie would not hear. For of course if she had known it hurt her +brother to carry her she would not ask him to. But just then Flossie was +reaching up to take hold of a branch of a tree as Bert passed beneath +it. And, catching hold of it, Flossie, with a merry laugh, showered +herself and Bert with snow that clung to the branch. + +"Don't, Flossie, dear!" Bert had to say. "There's snow enough without +pulling down any more. And we'll get plenty if the clouds spill more +flakes." + +"Do you think it will storm some more?" Freddie wanted to know. + +Bert did not answer right away. He was thinking what he could do about +Flossie. If she could not walk then she must be carried, but he felt +that he could not hold her on his back much longer, his leg was paining +too much. + +Just then the sight of Rover, the big, strong dog, floundering about in +the snow, gave Bert an idea. Rover did not seem to care how much breath +or strength he wasted, for he ran everywhere, barking and trying to dig +things out from under the drifts. + +"Oh, Flossie! wouldn't you like to ride on Rover's back?" asked poor, +tired Bert. + +"Oh, that will be lovely!" cried the little girl. + +"Here, Rover!" cried Freddie. + +The dog came leaping through the snow, very likely hoping to have some +sticks thrown that he might race after them. But he did not seem +surprised when Flossie was placed on his back and held there by Freddie +on one side and Bert on the other. + +"Now I'm having a ride on a make-believe elephant!" laughed Flossie. +Rover could not run with the little girl on his back, and I must say he +behaved very nicely, carrying her along through the drifts. Her legs +hung "dangling down-o," but that did not matter. + +"I guess I'm rested now," said Flossie, after a bit. "I'm cold, and it +will make me warmer to walk. I'll walk and hold your hand, Bert." + +If Rover was glad to have the load taken from his back he did not say +so, but by the way he raced on ahead when Flossie got off I think he +was. + +"I guess there's more snow coming," suddenly cried Bert. + +There was, the flakes coming down almost as thick and fast as when the +blizzard first swirled about Cedar Camp. Bert took the hands of Flossie +and Freddie and led them on through the storm. It was hard work, and the +smaller children were crying with the cold and from fear at the coming +darkness when Rover suddenly barked. + +"Hark!" cried Bert. "I guess someone is coming!" + +"Maybe it's daddy!" half sobbed Flossie. + +Shouts were coming through the storm--the shouts of men. Rover barked +louder and rushed forward. Bert held to the hands of his brother and +sister and peered anxiously through the falling flakes and the +fast-gathering darkness. + +Suddenly a man rushed forward, and, a moment later, had Flossie and +Freddie in his arms, hugging and kissing them. Then he clasped Bert +around the shoulders. + +"Daddy! Daddy!" cried Flossie and Freddie together. "You found us, +didn't you?" + +"Yes. But I didn't know you were away from camp," said Mr. Bobbsey, for +it was he. "Where's Nan?" he asked Bert quickly, while Rover leaped +about his master, Mr. Case, and Old Jim. + +"She's at Mrs. Bimby's cabin," Bert answered. + +"My wife!" exclaimed Old Jim. "Is she--is she all right?" + +"She was when I came away this morning to get help," said Bert. "I shot +a rabbit for her and Nan. It was good, too. But I guess she'll need food +now." + +"We have a lot for her," said Tom Case. "Rover, you rascal!" he went on, +patting his dog, "I wondered where you ran away to, but it's a good +thing you found the children." + +"And he drove away the wildcat," Bert announced. + +It was a happy, joyful party in spite of the storm, which was getting +worse. Mr. Bobbsey and the two men with him had gotten off the road that +led to Old Jim's cabin, and it was because of that fact that they had +found the lost children. + +"What had we better do?" asked Mr. Bobbsey, when it was learned that +Bert, Freddie and Flossie had really suffered no harm from being lost. +"Should we go back to Cedar Camp or to your cabin, Mr. Bimby?" + +"The cabin is nearer," said Tom Case. "If you folks go there, with Jim +to guide you, I'll back track to Cedar Camp and fetch a sled. You can +ride the Bobbsey twins home in that." + +"Yes, we'd better go to my cabin," said Old Jim. "We can make room for +you, and we'll take the food with us." + +So this plan was decided on, Tom Case and Rover going to Cedar Camp for +the sled, while Mr. Bobbsey, Mr. Bimby and the three children trudged +back to Mrs. Bimby's cabin. + +You can imagine how glad Nan and the old woman were to see not only Bert +but the others. + +"Oh, I was afraid when it began to storm again," said Nan, as she hugged +Flossie and Freddie. "But I never dreamed you two would be out in it." + +"Nor I," said their father. + +"You ought to see the bear skin we found!" exclaimed Freddie, to change +the subject. "It's going to be for Mrs. Bimby, to keep her warm." + +"Bless their hearts!" murmured Old Jim's wife. "I can keep warm all +right, but it's hard to get food in a storm." + +However, there was plenty of that now, and they all soon gathered about +the table and had a hot meal. The second storm was not as bad as the +first had been, and later that evening up came a big sled, filled with +straw and drawn by powerful horses, and in it was Mrs. Bobbsey and some +of the men from Cedar Camp. + +After a joyful reunion, in piled the Bobbsey twins with their father and +mother, and good-byes were called to the Bimby family, who now had food +enough to last through many storms. + +There was not much trouble getting to Cedar Camp, though the road was so +blocked with snow that once the sled almost upset. But before midnight +the Bobbsey twins were back in the cabin, all safe together once again. + +"We've had a lot of adventures since we came here," said Bert, as they +sat about the cozy fire. + +"Too many," remarked his mother. "I don't know when I've been so +worried, and it was worse after Flossie and Freddie went away." + +"We won't run away again," promised the small twins. + +"Did you find your Christmas trees, Daddy?" asked Nan. + +"No, not yet," he replied. "I guess they're lost, and we'll have to cut +more." + +But the next day, when the storm ceased and the sun shone, a man came to +camp with word about the missing trees. The railroad cars on which they +were loaded had been switched off on a wrong track and had been held at +a distant station awaiting someone to claim them. This Mr. Bobbsey did, +and soon the shipment of Christmas trees was on its way to Lakeport. + +"And as long as they are found there is no excuse for staying in Cedar +Camp any longer," said Mr. Bobbsey. + +But the children like it so that they prevailed on their father and +mother to remain a few days longer. And then the Bobbsey twins had many +good times, playing in the woods and about the sawmill. For there came a +thaw after the big storms, and most of the snow melted. Bert and Nan got +more chestnuts, too. + +"But I hope we'll have some snow for Christmas," said Nan. + +"So we can make a snow fort!" added Freddie. + +"And a snowman and knock his hat off!" laughed Flossie. + +"I should think you'd had enough snow," remarked their mother. + +But the Bobbsey twins seldom had enough of anything when there was fun +and excitement going, and you may be sure this was not the last of their +adventures. But now let us say good-bye. + + THE END + + + + +This Isn't All! + +Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in +this book? + +Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and +experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? + +On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you +will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same +store where you got this book. + +Don't Throw Away the Wrapper + +Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in +case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog. + + + + +The Bobbsey Twins Books + +For Little Men and Women + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc. + +Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. + +These books for boys and girls between the ages of three and ten stand +among children and their parents of this generation where the books of +Louisa May Alcott stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this +inimitable pair of twins, their many adventures and experiences are a +source of keen delight to imaginative children. + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOWBROOK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR + THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CHERRY CORNERS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THEIR SCHOOLMATES + THE BOBBSEY TWINS TREASURE HUNTING + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SPRUCE LAKE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS' WONDERFUL SECRET + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE CIRCUS + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +The Bunny Brown Series + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books, Etc. + +Illustrated. Each Volume Complete in Itself + +These stories are eagerly welcomed by the little folks from about five +to ten years of age. Their eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively +doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful +Sister Sue. + + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on Grandpa's Farm + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Playing Circus + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Camp Rest-A-While + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Aunt Lu's City Home + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue in the Big Woods + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on an Auto Tour + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue and their Shetland Pony + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Giving a Show + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Christmas Tree Cove + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue in the Sunny South + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Keeping Store + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue and Their Trick Dog + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at a Sugar Camp + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on the Rolling Ocean + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue on Jack Frost Island + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Shore Acres + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Berry Hill + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Skytop + Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at the Summer Carnival + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +The Honey Bunch Books + +By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE + +Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations + +Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to +take her to your heart at once. + +Little girls everywhere will want to discover what interesting +experiences she is having wherever she goes. + + HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP WEST + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST SUMMER ON AN ISLAND + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP TO THE GREAT LAKES + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP IN AN AIRPLANE + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE ZOO + HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST BIG ADVENTURE + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +The Sunny Boy Series + +By RAMY ALLISON WHITE + +Children! Meet Sunny Boy, a little fellow with big eyes and an inquiring +disposition who finds the world at large a wonderful place to live in. +There is always something doing when Sonny Boy is around. + +In the first book of the series he visits his grandfather in the country +and learns of many marvelous things on a farm, and in the other books +listed below he has many exciting adventures which every child will +enjoy reading about. + + SUNNY BOY IN THE COUNTRY + SUNNY BOY AT THE SEASHORE + SUNNY BOY IN THE BIG CITY + SUNNY BOY IN SCHOOL AND OUT + SUNNY BOY AND HIS SCHOOLMATES + SONNY BOY AND HIS GAMES + SUNNY BOY IN THE FAR WEST + SUNNY BOY ON THE OCEAN + SUNNY BOY WITH THE CIRCUS + SUNNY BOY AND HIS BIG DOG + SUNNY BOY IN THE SNOW + SUNNY BOY AT WILLOW FARM + SUNNY BOY AND HIS CAVE + SUNNY BOY AT RAINBOW LAKE + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +Children of All Lands + +By MADELINE BRANDEIS + +Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. + +Fact and fancy are so blended in these charming stories and the manners +and customs of other lands are so interwoven with the plots that reading +and learning becomes a joy. + + Mitz and Fritz of Germany + + A little German boy and his sister travel in a gypsy wagon through the + beautiful Rhine country and have the most glorious adventure of their + lives. + + Little Anne of Canada + + A fascinating story of a little girl who had many adventures in the + lumber camps of the great Canadian Northwoods. + + The Little Mexican Donkey Boy + + A charming story of a Mexican boy hero named Dodo, or Sleepy-head, and + his funny little Mexican burro, Amigo. + + Little Philippe of Belgium + + How little Philippe wandered all over Belgium looking for the + mysterious pair, Tom and Zelie, makes a thrilling story. + + Shaun O'day of Ireland + + A very beautiful story of Irish children and through which run many + legends of Old Ireland. + + Little Jeanne of France + + Every child will love this story of French children, laid in the most + marvelous city in the world, Paris. + + The Little Dutch Tulip Girl + + Tom, a little American boy, dreamed about going to Holland. In his + dreams he met Katrina, the little Dutch Tulip Girl, who turned out to + be a real honest-to-goodness girl. + + The Little Swiss Wood Carver + + This is the absorbing tale of how Seppi, the ambitious Swiss lad, made + his dream of becoming a skillful wood carver come true. + + The Wee Scotch Piper + + The story of how the music-loving Ian, the young son of a Scotch + shepherd, earned his longed-for bag pipes and his musical education. + + The Little Indian Weaver + + This is an appealing story of a little Navajo girl, Bah, and a little + freckle-faced white boy, Billie. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp, by Laura Lee Hope + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 37554.txt or 37554.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/5/37554/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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