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sounded out, and the great snowball battle began.

      It was certainly a hot contest, and the snowballs flew in all directions, and many a "soldier" received one in the body or in the head. Sam had placed his followers with care, and try their best the Army of Red could not dislodge them.

      "I have a scheme," said Phil, after the battle had lasted for fully half an hour, and while the boys were pausing to manufacture fresh "ammunition" in the shape of snowballs. "Let us rush up and then pretend to retreat. They'll think they have us on the run, and as soon as they leave the woods and that snowbank, we can turn on 'em again, and wallop 'em."

      "If you try that, be sure of one thing," said Dave. "Have plenty of snowballs on hand. Otherwise that fake retreat may become a real one."

      "We'll make a lot of snowballs," said Roger. "Pitch in, everybody!"

      In a little while, the Army of Red was ready for the movement Phil had suggested. Then Roger explained just how it was to be carried out. They were to advance on the left wing of the Blues and then retreat in the direction of the road. As soon as the Blues came from cover, they were to drive them--if they could be driven--to the upper edge of the woods and across the field beyond.

      "Now then, all together!" cried the senator's son. "And make them think you are really retreating, at first."

      Forward went the Army of Red, throwing snowballs wildly. Then came a shower of balls in return, and several of the Reds were seen to fall, as if knocked down. Then came a pause, and several lads started to go back.

      "Stop! Don't run!" yelled Roger. "Don't run!" But as this was part of the deception, those in retreat kept on backing away.

      "Hurrah! we've got 'em on the run!" came from the woods, and in a trice several of the Army of Blue appeared on the top of the snowbank. "Come on, let us chase 'em!"

      Over the snowbank came the Army of Blue, carrying all the snowballs it could manage. The Army of Red continued to retreat, each boy loaded down with ammunition. Then, just as the edge of the woods was cleared, a loud whistle sounded out.

      It was the signal to turn, and like one man the Army of Red faced about, and let fly a heavy volley of snowballs, directly in the face of the enemy. The Blues were taken completely by surprise, and almost dazed. Then came another volley of snowballs, and a dozen lads were struck, in the head and elsewhere.

      "Wow!" yelled one boy. "Say, what are we up against?"

      "Let 'em have it!" came the rallying yell of the Reds. "Down with 'em! Drive 'em to cover!" And on they came with a rush, throwing their snowballs with all the accuracy possible. The severe onslaught demoralized the other army for the time being, and two boys broke and ran--then half a dozen more--and then the whole army.

      "Stop! Turn and face 'em!" yelled Sam. "Give it to 'em hot!" But this was not to be, for the reason that the Blues were out of ammunition. They ran close to the woods, but were driven from that cover by a flank movement, and then took to the field, trying to manufacture snowballs as they ran.

      "We've got 'em going--don't let up!" cried Dave, and, having stopped to make a few more snowballs, he pushed on, with Roger and half a dozen others beside him. Phil carried the flag, and all made for where the enemy had its flag of blue. Then came an exchange of snowballs at close range, and poor Phil was hit in the face. He dropped the flag, and Dave picked it up.

      "Much hurt, Phil?" asked Roger, anxiously.

      "I guess not," was the plucky reply. "Go on and wax 'em!" And then Phil turned back for a moment to catch his breath.

      At the edge of the field was a ridge, and back of this a deep hollow. Sam decided to take a stand behind the ridge, and so directed his followers.

      "But look out for the holes," said one of the boys. "Some nasty ones around here."

      The battle soon waged as fiercely as ever. On came the Army of Red with a fresh supply of ammunition, and snowballs flew in all directions. Poor Sam was struck in the ear, and the carrier of the flag was hit in the arm and in the mouth. Down went the flag, and before the carrier could pick it up, three of the enemy pounced upon him, and while two held him, the third captured the all-important trophy.

      "Hurrah! We've got their flag! Now drive 'em along!" was the cry.

      "We must get the flag back!" called out Sam. "Now then, all together!" And again the battle went on.

      "Now, for a final rush!" said Roger, after the blue flag had been taken to the rear. "We are going to win! Come on!" And he led the way.

      Near the top of the ridge, the Red and the Blue fought fiercely, for all the boys were now thoroughly warmed up. Back and forth surged the long lines, and for several minutes it looked as if the Blues might succeed in driving the Reds back. Once Dave came close to losing the flag, and only saved it by sending two of the enemy sprawling headlong in the snow.

      At last the Reds managed to reach the top of the ridge, and from that point send down a fierce shower of snowballs. The Blues could not withstand this fire, and broke and ran.

      "Hurrah! the victory is ours!" yelled several of the Reds.

      "Let us clinch it, and make 'em cry for mercy!" shouted one of the victorious army, and forward he went, and nearly all of the others after him.

      "Be careful!" cried Dave. "There are a lot of holes around here! Somebody may break a leg."

      His voice was drowned by the shouts of those who had won, and over the ridge and towards the hollow poured the victors and vanquished--the latter trying to dodge the fresh shower of snowballs.

      "It's all over--let up!" yelled one boy of the Army of Blue. "Let up, can't you?"

      "One last shower, fellows!" cried Roger. "Now then, all together!"

      The snowballs were delivered, and then came a pause, as all realized that the battle was at an end. Then, from the far end of the hollow, came an unexpected yell:

      "Help! help! I am down in a hole and can't get out! Help!"

      CHAPTER XXII

      IN WHICH THE SHOES COME BACK

      "Somebody is in trouble!"

      "Who is it?"

      "Where is he?"

      "It is Tom Hally!" cried Roger, mentioning one of the new boys at Oak Hall. "He must have fallen into one of the holes near the big hollow."

      "Come on and see what is the matter," said Dave, and dropping the flag, he sped in the direction of the cries, and a dozen others followed.

      When they reached the spot from which the cries for help had proceeded they could see nothing of Tom Hally.

      "He was here a minute ago--I saw him!" declared a student named Messmer. "He must have gone down out of sight!"

      "Be careful that somebody doesn't go down on top of him," cautioned Roger.

      He had hardly spoken when there came a cry from Messmer, and, looking in his direction, the other boys were horrified to see him sink into the snow up to his waist.

      "Hi! hi! help me!" yelled Messmer. "Quick, something has me by the foot!"

      "Maybe it's Hally, at the bottom of the hole!" burst out Dave.

      "Let us make a chain and haul him out," suggested Phil.

      This suggestion was considered a good one, and in a twinkling a long line was formed, the boys taking hold of each other's hands. Dave was at one end of the line, and he approached Messmer with caution.

      "Help me!" gasped Messmer. "Something is dragging me down!"

      "Take

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