“Off we go!” shouted Larry, and with a crack of the whip the sleigh started.  It was drawn by a heavy pair of horses, who looked well able to get through any snowdrift that might present itself.

Ithaca was soon left behind, and they sped swiftly along a road running northward, a half mile more from the west shore of the lake.  The road was level, and somewhat worn by travel, and for the first three miles good time was made.

“If we can continue this gait we’ll reach Putnam Hall by three or four o’clock this afternoon, allowing an hour’s rest at noon,” said the driver in reply to a question put by Frank.  “But we have still a number of small hills to climb, and it’s not going to stay as clear as it was early this morning.”

The latter remark was caused by the sun disappearing under heavy clouds.  Soon it began to snow, at first lightly, and then heavier and heavier.

“We’re going to catch it!” said Tom, after the noon stop had been taken at a wayside hotel, where they had taken dinner, keeping the boxed lunch for later on.  “The snow is four inches deeper than it was.”

On they went again, the snow becoming so thick at last that they could scarcely see a yard before them.  It was very cold, and the cadets were glad enough to huddle in the straw, with the robes over them, leaving the driver to pick his way as best he could.

An hour had gone by, and they were wondering if they were anywhere near Cedarville, when a wild shout rang out, and the next instant came a crash, as their sleigh collided with another coming from the opposite direction.  A runner of each turnout was smashed, and the occupants of the other sleigh came tumbling in upon the lads in great confusion.

“Great Caesar! what’s this?” groaned Tom as he shifted a weight from his shoulders, and then he stared in amazement as he found himself confronted by Nellie Laning!

“Tom Rover!” burst from the girl’s lips soon as she could recover her breath.  “Did you ever!”

“Well, hardly!” murmured Tom, as he helped her to, a sitting position.  “You’re coming in on us fast.  What’s the trouble?  Oh, and there is Grace and your father! "

“The sleighs ran into each other,” answered Nellie.  “Can you stop the horses, father?” she called out.

“Yes, but the sleigh is a goner,” answered Mr. Laning, and then some sharp words passed between himself and the livery-stable driver.  There was no doubt, however, but that the blinding storm was largely responsible for the accident.

An examination proved that both sleighs would have to be abandoned, and then the two parties sought shelter at a near-by farmhouse, while Mr. Laning went off on one horse, and the livery-stable driver on another, each to borrow a sleigh elsewhere.

This left the boys in the company of the girls for over an hour, and during that time Dick, Tom and Sam asked a great many questions, especially about Mrs. Stanhope and Dora.