"

"I am Bert Bobbsey and this is my twin sister Nan."

"Oh, yes, I know now. You're one pair o' the Bobbsey twins, as they
call 'em over to Lakeport. I've heard Sary speak o' ye. Sary's my wife."
The farmer ran his hand through his thick beard. "You can't tramp home
in this storm."

"Oh, we must get home," said Nan. "What will mamma say? She will think
we are killed, or drowned, or something,--and she isn't over the scare
she got when Freddie was lost."

"I'll take you back to town in my sleigh," said Farmer Sandborn. "I was
going to town for some groceries to-morrow morning, but I might just as
well go now, while the roads are open. They'll be all closed up ag'in by
daylight, if this storm keeps up."

He led the way down the road to his house and they were glad enough to
follow. By Nan's side walked Tige and he licked her hand, just to show
that he wanted to make friends with her.

"I guess you are a good dog after all," said she, patting his head. "But
you did give me _such_ a scare!"

Both of the twins were very cold and glad enough to warm themselves by
the kitchen fire while the farmer hitched up his horse. The farmer's
wife wished to give them supper, but this they declined, saying they
would get supper at home. But she made each eat a big cookie, which
tasted exceedingly good.

Soon Farmer Sandborn drove around to the door with his sleigh and in
they piled, on the soft straw, with several robes to keep them warm.
Then the horse set off on a brisk trot for town.

"It's a nice enough sleigh ride for anybody," declared Bert. And yet
they did not enjoy it very much, for fear of what would happen to them
when they got home.

"Where in the world have you been?" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey as she ran to
the door to let them in. "We have been looking all over for you. Your
papa was afraid you had been drowned in the lake."

An evening dinner was in waiting for them, and sitting down to satisfy
their hunger, they told their story, to which all of the others listened
with much interest.

"You can be thankful you weren't blown clear to the other end of the
lake," said Mr. Bobbsey. "I think after this you had better leave
ice-boating alone."

"I know I shall!" declared Nan.

"Oh, I'll be more careful, papa, after this," pleaded Bert. "You know I
promised to go out again with Charley."

"Well then, don't go when the wind is strong," and Bert promised.

"I'm so glad the dog didn't bite you," said little Flossi