A yell of assent came from nearly all of the young soldiers.

"Very well, then; the battle may begin."

Some of the boys had brought horns along, and now a rousing blast came
from behind the barn and then from the snow fort.

"Come on and capture the fort!" cried Bert, and led the way, with his
arms full of snowballs.

There was a grand cheer and up the hill rushed the young soldiers, ready
to capture the snow fort no matter what the cost.




CHAPTER VIII

FUN ON THE ICE


"Oh, the fight is going to start!" cried Nan, in high excitement. "See
them coming up the hill!"

"Will they shoot?" asked Flossie, just a bit nervously.

"Course they won't shoot," answered Freddie. "Can't shoot snowballs.
Ain't got no powder in."

The attacking party was still a good distance from the fort when those