"Who would have predicted such a storm so early in the season ?" "We are several thousand feet above the sea level," said Willet, "and that will account for the violent change.

I think the wind and snow will last all tonight, and probably all tomorrow." "Then," said Robert, "we'd better gather more wood, build our wall higher and save ample fuel for the fire." The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities.

Robert's blood began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose.

Now the snow, as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped his blood.

He was the most energetic of the three, and went the farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber.
One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the pistol in his belt.