The snow was firm now; she could stand without sinking, and going round in front of her father she exerted all her strength and lifted him up a little.

He was bleeding from a wound on his face, and seemed to be quite dazed.
"Can you help yourself at all ?" she asked urgently, knowing that it was quite impossible for her unaided strength to get him clear of the fork.

But his only reply was a groan, and Katherine began to grow frightened.

It was quite impossible to leave him while she went to summon aid, and equally impossible to get help without going for it.

Meanwhile the cold was so intense that every moment of waiting became a risk.