washing those dishes?" remarked Fred, with a significant
look at the two bullies.

"That's right, Glutts and Werner!" cried Jack. "You ought to be willing
to do your share of the dish-washing."

"Me wash dishes!" roared Bill Glutts. "I never did anything like that in
my life!"

"You washed your own dishes at the encampment," answered Spouter
sharply.

"Oh, well, that was different."

"Oh, don't gas," grumbled Werner. "We'll wash our own dishes, anyway,"
and he went to work without another word, although with very bad grace,
and presently Glutts followed him.

Gif and the other boys also took hold, so the dish-washing and the pot
cleaning did not take very long.

The majority of the boys felt sleepy, so the rest of the day was spent
in taking it easy or in reading. Then, toward night, they had a light
supper, and Fred and the twins started to make some home-made candy.

By this time the storm had cleared away; no more snow was coming down
and the wind had also ceased. Overhead the stars glittered like so many
diamonds.

"It will be a great day to-morrow," announced Gif.

"Perhaps we can get out and get on the track of a deer!" cried Fred.

"Say, Fred, you must think the deer in this vicinity are standing around
just waiting to be shot," came from Jack, with a smile.

"I don't care, Jack. I'm going to get a crack at something worth while
before I go home," announced the youngest Rover.

Declining to partake of the taffy and the nut candy the twins and Fred
had made, Glutts and Werner retired early.

"We'll be going in the morning if the storm will permit it," said Werner
to Gif. And then he added curtly: "Much obliged for taking us in."

"Don't mention it, Werner," answered Gif, just as briefly.

"Remember, we'll pay you if you'll tell us how much it is," added
Glutts.

"You can't pay me anything, Glutts."

"Just as you say."

Then the door to the bedroom was closed as before, and Gif and his chums
were left to themselves.

"Some New Year's Day, believe me," was Fred's whispered comment. "The
presence of those fellows is about as cheering as a funeral."

Randy and Andy had their heads close together and were whispering.
Presently Randy got up and stretched himself.

"Now that it has stopped snowing I am going to go out and get a little
fresh air in my lungs," he remarked.

"And I'm going along," responded his twin quickly.

"So am I," broke in Fred.

"And that means we can wash the dishes,