“Oh, do forgive me, Dexie; to think I would say such things while we are in such danger!  I do not know what is the matter with me.”

“It is my fault,” cried Dexie, unable to keep up the quarrel under such contrite circumstances.  “I have been provoking you on purpose to make you scold me; but I didn’t mean a word of the unkind things I said to you.  I only wanted to keep you awake;” and thus confessing to one another, they calmed down into a state that was almost too angelic for safety, but before they had time to drop asleep again shouts were heard in the distance, telling of relief close at hand.

CHAPTER VII.

Lancy had a hard struggle to break through the drifts, and began to fear he would sink down with exhaustion before he had secured help, but he reached the farmhouse at last, having walked back much faster than the horse had travelled in going the same distance.

A few words of explanation were enough to arouse the family, and even while Lancy spoke, the two men in the room began to pull on their boots and get into their outer garments in a way that showed that they “meant business.”

Mr. Taylor and his big son would gladly have gone alone to rescue the girls, thinking Lancy was not in a fit state to return, but the possible fate of those dear to him filled Lancy with dread; he must return and see to their safety.  He eagerly drank the hot mixture that Mrs. Taylor placed in his hand, and when the men declared themselves ready, he felt able to accompany them.

“This is a terrible night to be out-of-doors,” said Mr. Taylor, as he pulled his coat collar around his ears.  “This is the worst storm we have had for years, and it will be a mercy if your sisters are not badly frost-bitten, before we can get them to the house.  Push on after Tom, and I will be with you in a minute,” and he turned toward the stables.

Lancy found it easier to retrace his steps than when he struggled alone through the blinding snow, and presently Mr. Taylor passed them on the back of a horse, carrying a coil of rope and a bundle of rugs, and he was the first to reach the snow-covered sleigh.

“Are you all right?” he called in a cheery voice.

“We are alive, and that’s about all,” Dexie answered.

“Well, cheer up; your brother is just behind,” and as he spoke Lancy joined him.

“Now, young man,” said Mr. Taylor, “Tom and I will see after your horse, while you pilot your sisters to the house.  They can both ride back on my horse; he will carry them through the drifts better than they can walk.  Here are some rugs.  Now, shall I help you to mount?” turning to Dexie.

“We are so cold I fear we can’t hold on,” she replied, her teeth chattering an accompaniment to her words.  “I feel as if I had no feet at all,” she added, as they lifted her up and brushed the snow from her garments.

“Oh, Lancy!  I can’t ride a horse,” said Elsie, who was being brushed and rubbed back to life.  “I never could sit on a rocking-horse itself.  I’ll be sure to fall.”