When about one-quarter of the distance had been covered, they rested, and then Chet and Andy exchanged loads. They had now some rough ground to cover, and of a sudden Andy went down in a hollow, taking the man he was carrying with him. "Be careful!" cried Chet, in alarm. Andy and Mr. Dawson rolled over and over, and landed in snow up to their necks. Fortunately the fall was a soft one, or both might have been seriously injured. Chet threw down his load, and aided the pair to get out of the hollow. Andy came out with a neck full of snow, and his coat half off his back. "Say, I don't want any more of that!" he panted, digging the snow from one ear. In a few minutes they went on again, Chet with the outfit taking the lead. Progress was slow, and all were glad to rest when the top of a small rise was gained. "There is the Jeffer cabin," said Chet, pointing it out. "I don't see any smoke," added Andy. "What shall we do if Professor Jeffer isn't at home?" "Oh, I don't think he's away," answered his chum. "But even so, I guess he'll let us use the place--in such a snow as this." "We can pay him for the accommodations," put in Barwell Dawson. "I'll take care of that." It was nearly noon when they gained the cabin, rather a large structure, set in a grove of pines, and on the edge of a brook that was now covered with snow and ice. Chet, who was in advance, knocked loudly on the door. At first there was no answer. Then a low voice asked who was there. "It is I, Chet Greene, Professor." "Oh! Come in--if you can get the door open." Chet tried the door--to find it bolted. Then he heard a movement within, and the barrier was opened. "Oh, I thought you were alone," said the man within. He was tall and thin, and wore a heavy beard and big spectacles. "No, Professor Jeffer. This is my friend, Andy Graham, and this is a gentleman who fell over Moose Ridge cliff and got hurt. Can we bring him in?" "Why, yes, certainly, of course!" cried Upham Jeffer. "Hurt, eh? Where?" "He has a bruised ankle, and some cuts on his head." "I see. Well, bring him in, and what remedies I have on hand shall be at his service. I'm a bit sick myself--been making some experiments with nitrogen that didn't agree with me. You see, I reasoned out that if nitrogen could be dissolved by means of----" "Where can I place the gentleman?" broke in Chet, who knew Upham Jeffer's weakness for going off into scientific discussions. "Oh, yes, of course, I forgot. Why, place him anywhere. Make yourselves at home." The old scientist looked around rather helplessly. "There is my medicine closet. Use whatever you can find there."