"She's going to break with sun-up," prophesied the woodsman. "I've
been feeding the cattle and I've got the other men up. If it breaks
at all, we three'll start for the neighbors and rouse a gang to help
beat the woods."

"But hadn't we better try to find the girls at once, Jerry?" queried
Tom.

"We'll need a large party, Master Tom," said the guide. "We must
cover a deal of ground, and the more men we have who are used to the
trail, the better. If it stops snowing we can get around to the
neighbors on snowshoes easier than any other way. The drifts are
packed hard. I had to tunnel out of the kitchen door. The snow has
banked up to the second story gallery."

"They'll be buried yards under this snow," groaned Tom.

"Keep up your courage," said Long Jerry, cheerfully. "If them gals
was sharp at all they'd find some shelter and make a fire."

"If they had matches," said Mr. Cameron, doubtfully.

"Ruth had matches, I know," said Tom.

"Oh, we'll find them safe and sound," declared the guide.

One of Long Jerry's prophecies was fulfilled within the hour. The
storm broke. Tom had aroused his friends and the three boys had
enlarged the tunnel through the snow from the back porch into the