Over their heads the wind wailed and moaned in the spruce tops, but even above that sound came the roar of the fire.

Against his breast Philip heard a sobbing cry, and suddenly he held the girl closer, and crushed his face down against hers, fighting to keep back the horror that was gripping at his heart.

Even as he felt her arms creeping up out of the bearskin and clinging about his neck he felt upon him like a weight of lead the hopelessness of a despair as black as the night itself.

The cabin was now a pillar of flame, and in it was everything that had made life possible for them.

Food, shelter, clothing--all were gone.