Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/266

244 Buster Beggs. "We built a big snow fort and half the school defended it, while the other half tried to capture the place. The fight lasted all of Saturday afternoon, and the fort fell just as the bell rang for supper."

"Of course you weren't hit with snowballs," said Dave, with a smile.

"Not at all, only about 'steen times, and when they captured the fort I was buried under one of the falling walls and had to be hauled out by the heels. Some of the snow got down my back. I can feel the cold yet!" And Buster gave a shiver.

"I like winter sports," came from Roger. "Best of all, I love skating."

"And so do I," cried Dave. "I like to skate good long distances, too. I don't care so much for fancy skating."

"When skating is good you can go up and down the river for miles," said Phil. "We can take the trip some Saturday."

"Does Gus Plum skate?" asked another boy.

"Yes, he's a fine skater, and last year he won the prize for long-distance skating. My, but wasn't he stuck on himself after that," returned Shadow.

"He is keeping very mum just now," remarked Roger.

"That talking from the doctor has tamed him," said Phil. "But just wait, he'll break out again before long," and the big youth was right.