CHAPTER VII.

Something of A surprise.

Despite the stirring events which had just passed the Rovers managed to pass a pleasant evening at the Stanhope cottage.  This was in a large measure due to Dora, who did all she could to entertain them and make them forget their troubles.  All played games, and Dora played the piano and sang for them, while Dick and Tom also took a hand at the singing.  Sam could not sing, and declared that he was certainly getting a cold, whether from being in the storeroom or not.

At ten o’clock the boys retired, to a large bed chamber containing a double bed and a good-sized cot.  They were soon undressed, and after saying their prayers dropped asleep and slept soundly until seven in the morning.

When they arose a surprise awaited them.  On the ground outside the snow lay to the depth of a foot or more, and it was still showing as heavily as ever.

“Hullo! we are snowed in!” exclaimed Sam, as he gazed out on the whitened landscape.

“Sure enough,” returned Dick, and added: 

“This looks as if Captain Putnam might not come back to-day,”

“If that’s the case, I vote we stay here,” put in Tom.  “I’m sure Mrs. Stanhope will keep us.”

It was found that Sam’s cold had attacked him in earnest.  He was very hoarse, and complained of a severe pain in the chest.

“You’ll have to do something for that cold,” said Dick.  “Better stay in bed this morning, and let Mrs. Stanhope put a plaster on your chest.”

Going below, he told the lady of the cottage of his brother’s condition.  A mustard draught was at once prepared and placed upon Sam, and he was also given some pine tar cough mixture.  These things relieved him somewhat, but Mrs. Stanhope insisted upon it that he remain in bed, and brought him his breakfast with her own hands.

“Of course you must stay here, especially since Sam is sick,” said Dora, while they were eating a breakfast of buckwheat cakes, honey, chops, and coffee.  “He may not get worse, but if he does, one of you will have to take the horse and go for the doctor.”

“Yes, we’ll have to watch Sam,” answered Dick.  “But don’t put yourselves to too much trouble on our account.”

“As if we could take too much trouble for you!” exclaimed Dora, and blushed sweetly.  It was not likely that she would ever forget all the Rovers had done for her and her mother.

Tom was anxious to learn about the Lanings, and was told that they were all at home and doing finely.

“Nellie and Grace are going on a visit to an aunt at Timber Run after the holidays,” said Dora.  “They wanted me to go along, but I didn’t care to leave mamma, and we didn’t wish to lock up the house for fear some tramps might break in and rob us.”

After breakfast Sam said he felt like sitting up, but toward noon his chest began to hurt him again, and Mrs. Stanhope said it would be best that somebody go for a doctor.  Dick and Tom both volunteered, but it was finally decided that Dick should go alone, on horseback.