CHAPTER XXII 

SNOWBOUND IN THE MOUNTAINS 

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

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

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

"Yes, I know such a spot," he said, in his native tongue. "Come, we will try to reach it before it is too late." 

Amid the howling of the wind and the swirling of the snow, the horses and sleigh were turned partly around, and they struck off on a side trail, leading up the mountain. On and on they toiled, a distance of perhaps five hundred feet, although to the boys it seemed a mile or more. The wind was so strong it fairly took their breath away, and the snow all but blinded them. They had to walk, for it was all the double team could do to drag the turnout over the rough rocks and through the snow. Once Dave slipped, bumped against the Englishman, and both rolled downward a distance of several yards. 

"Excuse me!" panted the young American. "My feet went up before I was aware." 

"Don't mention it, my lad," was the gasped-out answer. "I fancy we're all doing the best we can." 
How long did it feel to them?
On and on they toiled, a distance of perhaps five hundred feet, although to the boys it seemed a mile or more.