The construction of the fort was well under way. Long, erratic paths in the snow showed where the three big balls had been rolled which formed the most exposed wall. They were almost as tall as the boys, themselves, and even now Sid and Red Brown and Perry Alford were digging their heels into the slippery footing as they moved a fourth to its proper place. Mosher, bent almost double, was rolling a new and rapidly increasing sphere over the soft snow. The walls completed, the gang devoted themselves to filling in the crevices, smoothing the surface, and to testing the weak places in the fortress. A few busy minutes were spent in making ammunition, then Sid, his longing for leadership gratified at last, led his army behind the "U" shaped protection. Bill beckoned his followers out of range, and missiles began to fly. John laid the glasses down wistfully. Shucks! watching only made him want to join worse than ever. The book was better than that! Dusk came at last, and liberation. As he was returning from the newspaper route, the sight of a familiar figure, in the lighted circle of a street lamp, made him cross over. It was Louise. "'Lo." "'Lo." John paused. It was a difficult thing to lead up to her faithlessness tactfully. She broke the silence. "Those dishes were dear. But, oh, John, I liked the powder puff jar the best of all!" Which was the truth, for the fact that he thought her old enough for such feminine weapons was a soul-satisfying compliment. He murmured a perfunctory acknowledgment. "Louise, what's this I've been hearing about you and Sid drinking sodas together at the drug store?" She stood speechless, thinking of a defense. "It's got to quit. Do you hear?" "Why shouldn't I have sodas with him?" his lady broke out vindictively. "You never take me anywhere." Didn't she understand that all of his playtime was taken up with earning money for her? "But we can go skating tonight," he concluded pacifically. "That isn't spending money on me. And Sid does, lots and lots of times." The words hurt. He'd show her that two could play at that game, even if the funds were to be drawn from the pig bank. "I'll tell you," he shot back recklessly. "We'll go to the theater a week from Saturday. Isn't that better than sodas?" He watched her anxiously for she was most dear to his suddenly constant heart. She assented eagerly. Nevertheless, it was plain that she still thirsted after the drug store flesh pots. He must interview Sid in the morning, for that catch in her voice was far from reassuring. CHAPTER XIII HE CRUSHES AND HUMILIATES A RIVAL Sid, with new skates glistening at his side, was bound for the park lagoon when John ran across the street and stopped him. "Come along?" asked Sid amicably. John shook his head. "I want to talk to you," said he. "Bill says you're trying to cut me out with Louise. It's got to stop." "What's he know about it?" asked the culprit defiantly.