The lecture was as interesting as a story, and the doctor was delighted
at the attention of the scouts. The large chart made everything so
clear, and impressed firmly upon the minds of the boys the things they
had heard. It was half-past nine when they were through, and when the
door was opened, all were surprised to find such a furious storm raging
over the land. It had been snowing for some time, and drifts were
already piling up around Headquarters.

"Ye must stay with me to-night," Captain Josh told the doctor. "We kin
put ye up all right, and in the mornin' ye'll have a chance to see
Whyn. I want ye to have a look at her, anyway, fer she's not been up
to the mark of late."

Thus the doctor made up his mind to remain, and he bade good night to
the boys as they left the room, and plunged out into the storm.

"Take care of yerselves, boys," the captain shouted, "and don't git
lost."

Such a warning was needed, for no sooner had the scouts left the
building than the storm struck them in all its fury. The night was so
dark that they could not see a yard ahead of them. But the road to the
main highway was fenced in, and so they were kept from going astray.

Rod led, and with bent heads the rest followed. Step by step they
pressed onward, with the snow driving full into their faces. It was
cold, too, and the wind, piercing their clothes, chilled them. It was
fortunate that they had not far to go, else they would have found it
almost impossible to reach their homes on such a night.