CHAPTER V: THE RELIEF OF THE CITADEL.
As soon as the first gleam of daylight showed itself Hector and his companion were on their feet again.
The operation of dressing was by no means a comfortable one, for the frost had set in in earnest during the night, and their clothes, with the exception of the shirts, were as stiff as boards.

The snow had ceased and the sky was clear.
"It is going to be a fine day, master," Paolo said as they left the hut.
"That is better than battling with a snowstorm such as that of yesterday evening.

Come on, Paolo, let us trot for a bit.

The snow is four inches deep, and we shall soon get warm running through it." In a quarter of an hour they broke into a walk again, panting from their exertions.
"I am as warm as a toast now, Paolo.

There is a village half a mile ahead.