But the Overall Boys liked being snow-bound. They built a fine snow fort, with snow soldiers in it, and piles of snow cannon balls to keep enemies away from the little hotel.
The St. Bernard dog had a jolly time, too. Once he jumped against one of the snow soldiers, and over they went together. After that he seemed to be afraid of the soldiers and would not go near the fort, but ran around it, barking loudly.
The Overall Boys and the dog enjoying the snow
Next morning the boys were out early to take a look at things.
"Oh, Jack," shouted Joe, "it froze in the night! There is a hard crust over everything!"
"So there is!" said Jack. "We don't need snowshoes now. We can go down the mountain on the crust."
And that is what they did. With the St. Bernard dog to show them the way, the party hurried down over the snow before the warm sun had time to soften the crust.
As they went lower, the snow rapidly grew less. Soon the boys saw lovely bluebells and alpine roses and other flowers holding their heads bravely up through the thin, white blanket.