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278 "In a few hours night will be coming on, and we'll be completely covered."

"The snow is coming down faster than ever, and the wind is rising. Maybe we are going to have a blizzard. If we do, Heaven help us!"

"Let us take those cases of goods off," suggested the young auctioneer after a moment of thought. "That will lighten the load for Billy somewhat."

The big packing boxes were unstrapped and let down in the snow. They were followed by every other article which could be removed from the turnout without damage.

Then Billy was once more urged to go on, Matt and Andy pushing with all their strength in the meanwhile. The wheels of the wagon and the axles creaked and then moved forward slowly.

"Hurrah! we've got it started!" shouted Matt joyfully. "Get up, Billy! get up!"

And the horse really did strain every muscle until, two minutes later, the wagon was out of the hollow and up on the ridge of a little hill.

"Thank fortune we are out of that!" exclaimed Andy. "Now what is to be done?"

"We had better strap the cases in place again and continue on our way."

"The cases are awfully heavy. I wonder if we can't hide them somewhere and come back for them