en we get to the top of the hill," said Uncle
Toby. "I ought to have done it before."

Slowly the car went up through the storm, the children almost holding
their breaths, as if that would help. But finally the summit of the hill
was reached and the danger was over for the present.

"Now we can speed up, after I put on the chains," said Uncle Toby,
bringing the car to a stop beneath some overhanging evergreen trees that
grew on one side of the road. "Ch'is'mus twees," Trouble called them.

But as Mr. Bardeen was getting out Ted uttered a cry of alarm.

"Where's Skyrocket?" he asked.

Then, for the first time, every one noticed that the dog was not in the
car.

Where was Skyrocket?

CHAPTER VIII

A STALLED TRAIN

For a few moments the children could scarcely believe that Skyrocket was
not in the automobile with them. Janet and Lola had been so busy
watching the boys kick loose the stones, and Ted and Tom had been so
occupied in this work, that none of them had paid much attention to the
dog. Uncle Toby had also watched the boys, and as for Trouble, catching
an occasional snow-flake on his tongue gave him so much to do that he
did not look after Skyrocket.

"But where is our dog?" asked Ted, when it became certain that the pet
was not in the car.

"Maybe he's under the seat asleep," suggested Lola.

They looked, but Skyrocket was not there.

"He must have jumped out when the door was open," said Tom.

"I'll go back and look for him," offered Ted. He made a move to leave
the car, but Uncle Toby stopped him.

"If any one goes back after that dog, I'm going!" said the old sailor,
for that is what Uncle Toby had once been. "The snow is too deep for
your legs," he added, looking at Ted's short ones. "And you two lads
have already done work enough in getting the stones to block the wheels.
You know how fond I am of pets, so I'll go back and get Skyrocket. I
suppose he's looking for us all this while."

"You'll be sure to get him, won't you, Uncle Toby?" asked Jan.

"Of course I will; unless he's gone full speed ahead back home, and I
don't believe he has. Now you children stay here in this car until I
come back. And don't go outside. It's snowing harder and it is getting
colder. So stay inside."

The Curlytops and their playmates promised to do this, and then Uncle
Toby stepped out into the storm. He turned up his coat collar and
tramped off through the drifts, which were, each moment, getting dee