When appealed to, the burly sleigh driver merely shrugged his shoulders. Then he looked up the mountain side speculatively.
"He says he thinks we can get through if the wind doesn't blow too strongly," said Granbury Lapham, presently.
"But the wind is blowing strong enough now," answered Roger.
"And it is gradually getting worse," added Dave.
Once again they went forward, but now with added caution. Ahead of them was a point where the firs stood in a large patch with the road cut through the center. As they entered the forest the wind whistled shrilly through the tree branches.
"I'd give a good bit to be safe in that village," remarked Roger, after listening to the wind.
"After we leave this patch of timber we are going to have our own troubles on the road."
They looked at the sleigh driver and saw that he, too, was disturbed. He stopped the team and gazed upward between the firs to the dull and heavy sky. Then he shook his head slowly.
"He says another storm is coming," said Granbury Lapham. "It is a great pity that it can't keep off until we reach Bojowak."
They were in the very center of the patch of firs when the wind increased as if by magic. It caught up the loose snow and sent it whirling this way and that, almost blinding the travelers. The horses, too, could not see, and they stopped short, refusing to go another step. The driver looked around again, and now his face showed that he was frightened.