But the warm sun was very pleasant, the eight little boys were very lively, and the sleigh-bells jingled gayly as they went on.

It was so late when they reached the wood-road that Hiram decided they had better not go up the hill to their grandfather’s, but turn off into the woods.

“Your grandfather will be there by this time,” he declared.

Elizabeth Eliza was afraid the carry-all would miss them, and thought they had better wait.  Hiram did not like to wait longer, and proposed that one or two of the little boys should stop to show the way.  But it was so difficult to decide which little boys should stay that he gave it up.  Even to draw lots would take time.  So he explained that there was a lunch hidden somewhere in the straw; and the little boys thought it an admirable time to look it up, and it was decided to stop in the sun at the corner of the road.  Elizabeth Eliza felt a little jounced in the armchair, and was glad of a rest; and the little boys soon discovered an ample lunch,—­just what might have been expected from Grandfather’s,—­apple-pie and doughnuts, and plenty of them!  “Lucky we brought so many little boys!” they exclaimed.

Hiram, however, began to grow impatient.  “There ’ll be no snow left,” he exclaimed, “and no afternoon for the syrup!”

But far in the distance the Peterkin carry-all was seen slowly approaching through the snow, Solomon John waving a red handkerchief.  The little boys waved back, and Hiram ventured to enter upon the wood-road, but at a slow pace, as Elizabeth Eliza still feared that by some accident the family might miss them.

It was with difficulty that the carry-all followed in the deep but soft snow, in among the trunks of the trees and over piles of leaves hidden in the snow.  They reached at last the edge of a meadow; and on the high bank above it stood a row of maples, a little shanty by the side, a slow smoke proceeding from its chimney.  The little boys screamed with delight, but there was no reply.  Nobody there!

“The folks all gone!” exclaimed Hiram; “then we must be late.”  And he proceeded to pull out a large silver watch from a side pocket.  It was so large that he seldom was at the pains to pull it out, as it took time; but when he had succeeded at last, and looked at it, he started.

“Late, indeed!  It is four o’clock, and we were to have been here by eleven; they have given you up.”

The little boys wanted to force in the door; but Hiram said it was no use,—­they wouldn’t understand what to do, and he should have to see to the horses,—­and it was too late, and it was likely they had carried off all the syrup.  But he thought a minute, as they all stood in silence and gloom; and then he guessed they might find some sugar at Deacon Spear’s, close by, on the back road, and that would be better than nothing.  Mrs. Peterkin was pretty cold, and glad not to wait in the darkening wood; so the eight little boys walked through the wood-path, Hiram leading the way; and slowly the carry-all followed.