We cannot risk being smothered in this ant-hill." "We have only one night to spend here," replied old Tom.
"Well, let us try and make it recover us from our fatigue.

This is the first time in ten days that we have not to sleep in the open air." "Ten days!" repeated Tom.
"Besides," added Dick Sand, "as this cone forms a solid shelter, perhaps we had better stay here twenty-four hours.

During that time, I will go in search of the stream that we are in need of; it cannot be very distant.

I think that until we have constructed our raft, it will be better not to quit this shelter.

The storm cannot reach us here.
Let us make the floor stronger and dryer." Dick Sand's orders were executed at once.