The heaven-sent gulls had, after all, saved but half a crop.

Drought and early frost had diminished this; and those who came in from the East came all too trustingly with empty meal-sacks.
By the beginning of winter there were five thousand people in the valley to be fed with miraculous loaves and fishes.

Half of these were without decent shelter, dwelling under wagon-covers or in flimsy tents, and forced much of the time to be without fuel; for wood had to be hauled through the snow from the distant canons, and so was precious stuff.

For three months the cutting winds came down from the north, and the pitiless winter snows raged about them.

An inventory was early taken of the food-stuffs, and thereafter rations were issued alike to all, whether rich or poor.