A little farther and she reached the main stream, the distance passed being so much less than was necessary for her escorts that she knew that she was in advance of them, even if they had continued their flight without interruption.
Her club skates were securely refastened, and then she listened again.
The cries of the brutes were few and distant and could not cause alarm.
Hark! A familiar sound reached her.

She recognized it as made by skates gliding over the ice.

Rising to her feet, she remarked, with a smile: "I think I will give them a surprise." And she did.

The meeting was a happy one, and before the stroke of midnight all three were at home, where they found the mother anxiously awaiting their return and greatly relieved to learn that despite their stirring experience no harm had befallen any member of the little party..