Part 6 (1/2)

”No use in crying over spilt milk,” said Sam.

”Which puts me in mind of a sto--” commenced Shadow, and then suddenly stopped talking and commenced to whistle to himself.

”Say, boys, if anybody should ask you, you can tell him it is snowing some,” puffed Buster, who was struggling to keep up with those in front.

”If it wasn't that we were on the river, it would be easy to lose our way.”

”That's true,” replied Dave. ”The snow seems to be coming down heavier every minute.”

”Yes, and the wind is coming up,” added Roger. ”We'll have a hard time of it reaching the Hall. We'll never do it by supper-time.”

”Then where are we going to get something to eat?” demanded Buster. ”I'm not going without my supper just because I can't get back.”

”Perhaps we can get something at some farmhouse,” suggested Phil.

”I've got an idea!” cried Dave. ”Why can't we get some farmer to hook up a carriage or a sleigh and take us to the Hall that way?”

”Hurrah, just the cheese!” cried Ben, who did not relish walking such a distance. ”The thing is, though, to find the farmer,” he continued soberly.

”Keep your eyes open for lights,” suggested Dave, and this was done.

A quarter of a mile more was covered, the students hugging the north sh.o.r.e of the stream, as that afforded the most shelter from the rising wind. Then Roger gave a cry.

”I think I saw a light through the snow! Just look that way, fellows, and see if I am right.”

All gazed in the direction indicated, and presently three of the boys made out a glimmer, as if it came from a lantern being swung to and fro.

Then the light disappeared.

”Perhaps it's some farmer going out to care for his cattle,” said Dave.

”Let us walk over and see,” and this was done.

Dave was correct in his surmise, and soon the boys approached a big cow-shed, through a window of which they saw the faint rays of a lantern. Just as they did this they heard a voice cry out in wonder.

”What be you fellers a-doin' in my cow-shed?”

”Oh, we just came in to rest out of the storm,” was the answer, in a voice that sounded strangely familiar to Dave. ”We are not going to hurt your shed any, or the cattle either.”

”It's Mallory, of Rockville!” whispered Dave to his fellow students, naming the cadet who was the star hockey player of the military academy team.

”And Bazen and Holt are with him,” added Phil, gazing through a partly-open doorway, and naming two other Rockville cadets.

”h.e.l.lo, who's out there?” cried the owner of the cow-shed, and, lantern in hand, he turned to survey the newcomers.

”Why, it's Mr. Opper!” cried Sam. ”Don't you remember me? I called last summer, to see some of your young lady boarders.”

”Oh, yes, I remember you,” replied Homer Opper. ”You hired my dappled mare for a ride.”

”That's it, Mr. Opper. Say, that mare could go.”

”Go? Ain't no hossflesh in these parts kin beat her,” cried the farmer proudly. ”She won the prize at the last county fair, she did! But wot brung ye here, sech a night as this?” added Homer Opper curiously.