"Perhaps we can snowball him—" began Sam, when Dick set up another cry.
"It's Laning's dog, boys. What fools we are! This is Mr. Laning's place."
"Laning's place," burst out Tom. "Why, to be sure it is. And that is Leo! Leo! Leo! old boy, don't you know us?" he cried.
On bounded the dog, and then began to bark again, but this time joyously. He came up to Tom and leaped all around him, wagging his brush as he did so. Then he came to Sam and to Dick, for he knew them all very well.
"It's a good thing the old barn blew down," said Tom, for he could not help but think of the greeting the Laning girls would give him.
They were soon at the back door of the farmer's cottage. It was opened by Mrs. Laning, who stared at them in astonishment.
"Can we come in?" asked Dick. "We are nearly frozen."
"Well, I never! Out in all this storm! It's a wonder the captain would allow it. Why, come in of course, and get thawed out by the fire." And then they went in to meet Mr. Laning, and also the two girls.
Their story was soon told, and meanwhile the lady of the house prepared a hot supper for them. As they sat eating they discussed the question of whether it would be better to return to Putnam Hall that night or wait until morning.
"I would say stay here," said Mr. Laning, "but Captain Putnam will be worried about you and start out in search of you."