CHAPTER XVI

LOST IN THE WOODS


"Quick!" cried Bert, as he looked at the swiftly-sliding snow, "get
close to the tree--on the downward side of it, and maybe the drift
will go around us. Harry, you look after Freddie, and I'll take care
of Flossie!"

As he spoke Bert grabbed up his little sister and hurried closer to
the tree. It was a big pine, and they had been sitting under its
branches, on some big rocks, as the slide started.

"What shall we do?" cried Nan. "Can't Dorothy and I help?"

"Take care of yourselves," answered Bert. "I guess it will split at
the tree and not hurt us."

The snow slide had started at the top of the hill, whether from some
snowball a boy had made, and rolled down, or from some other cause,
Bert did not stop to consider. He was too anxious to get his little
brother and sister to safety.

The snow was rather soft, and just right for the making of big balls,
of the kind that had been put on the school steps. And, as it
continued to slide down the hill, the mass of snow got larger and