They reached the top, and stood for a time looking over the broad snow-covered expanse of lake and woods. Then they started down. But it was not easy work, especially for Flossie and Freddie, so the whole party stopped for a rest about half way.
They were sitting under a sheltering tree, looking at some flitting snow-birds, when from behind them came a curious sound. Bert looked back, and leaping to his feet, cried: "It's a snow slide! A snow slide! It's coming right toward us!"
Indeed a great drift of white snow was sliding down the side of the hill toward the children. A great white ball seemed to have started it, and as Harry looked up he gave a cry of surprise.
"I saw a boy up there!" he said. "He pushed that snowball on us!"
CHAPTER XVI
LOST IN THE WOODS
"Quick!" cried Bert, as he looked at the swiftly-sliding snow, "get close to the tree—on the downward side of it, and maybe the drift will go around us. Harry, you look after Freddie, and I'll take care of Flossie!"
As he spoke Bert grabbed up his little sister and hurried closer to the tree. It was a big pine, and they had been sitting under its branches, on some big rocks, as the slide started.
"What shall we do?" cried Nan. "Can't Dorothy and I help?"
"Take care of yourselves," answered Bert. "I guess it will split at the tree and not hurt us."