He paused and listened for an answer.
None came save his own cry, which clattered up the dreary silent ravines, and was borne back to his ears in countless repetitions.

Again he shouted, even louder than before, and again no whisper came back from the friends whom he had left such a short time ago.

A vague, nameless dread came over him, and he hurried onwards frantically, dropping the precious food in his agitation.
When he turned the corner, he came full in sight of the spot where the fire had been lit.

There was still a glowing pile of wood ashes there, but it had evidently not been tended since his departure.

The same dead silence still reigned all round.