138 FOUR-FOOTED AMERICANS 



that a gun is not loaded, and never trifle with it under 

 any circumstances. It depends entirely upon Iioav you 

 behave toward this little gun whether your uncle ever 

 gives it to you for your own or not ; but for the present 

 you must be coiitent never to even liandle it except 

 when one of us is Avitli you." 



'^ Aren't you going to take any nighties ? " asked 

 Dodo, who had come down dressed in a rather confused 

 mass of the warmest clothes she could find, half hoping 

 that, in spite of everything, she might be allowed to go 

 at the last moment. 



" No, missy, the only way we could use nighties at 

 Nez' camp Avould be to put them on over our clothes. 

 A good blanket apiece Avill Ije much more useful." 



^' The stage-driver from Chestnut Ridge way allowed, 

 when he came down last night, they had a big fall er 

 snow there yesterday, that is, Ijig fer the season," 

 said Rod, as he drove up with Tom and Jerry in the 

 farm wagon, deep with straw to keep feet from chilling. 



'' Why didn't you bring the sleigh ? " called Olive 

 from the Avindow, where she stood in the dusk to watch 

 them off, Avrapped in a doAvn quilt. 



'^ Snow's too soft; be all cut up down by the daypo." 



'^ There's an old sled in the barn, may I take it Avith 

 me ? If there's thick snow at the Ridge, there may be 

 some at Xez' camp," said Nat, eagerly. 



'^ AVe have as much as we can carry now, my bo}^" 

 said the Doctor, '-and you may be A^ery sure it' there is 

 enough snow for coasting, Nez will have some sort of a 

 contrivance for you to do it Avith." 



*' Oh, look I " cried Rap, pointing toward the southeast. 

 The turnpike stretched a pure Avhite pathway between 



