He could hear their voices without as they talked with those in the next cottage.

They might at any moment return, and it was improbable that they would again go out, for the cold was bitter, and they would most likely wait indoors for the return of the men.
This then was his last opportunity.

He rolled himself to the fire, and with his teeth seized the end of one of the burning sticks.

He raised himself into a sitting position, and with the greatest difficulty laid the burning end of the stick across the cords which bound his wrists.

It seemed to him that they would never catch fire.