for some time, and many snowballs were thrown back and forth.

The battle lasted for some time.

"Come on, now! Charge on the enemy!" cried Frank, when he thought he saw a good chance to take the fort.

He led the charge, and with such good effect that the fort was captured, and he and his chums left in possession. Then[Pg 37] the battle turned about, and the snowball fight began all over again.

[Pg 37]

Several days of winter fun passed. The boys and girls went coasting before and after school, made snow-men and rolled large snowballs. The weather was pleasant, and just warm enough so that the snow would pack well.

One day Mrs. Blake called on Mrs. Brown, to thank her for the way in which Sammy and his chums had helped her.

"Your son and his chums are very bright and good boys," said Mrs. Blake, who had gotten over her fall in the snow. "I have written to my brother, Peter Jessup, about them, and he says anytime they want to visit his end of Pine Island he'll be glad to look after them."

"That is very kind of him," said Mrs. Brown, "but Sammy and his two friends go off now on more strange trips than I think is good for them."

"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Mrs. Blake. "Boys will be boys! Let 'em roam, I say, as long as you know where they are, and that they are safe."

"Well, I guess if they get the chance they'll go," laughed Mrs. Brown. "They generally get what they're after. I'll tell them of your kindness."

When Sammy and his chums heard of what Mrs. Blake had said, and of the invitation of Mr. Jessup, the hunter, they grew excited at once, and wanted to start for Pine Island the next day.

But there was school to be thought of, and they, as well as the other pupils, had missed considerable on account of the delay caused by the fire.

"Besides, it's Winter now—not Summer," said Mrs. Brown. "It would not do to go to the island in Winter."

"Oh, yes, it would," cried Sammy. "We could dress warm."

[Pg 38]

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