For minutes--it seemed for hours to them--the deluge of snow and rock continued.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it ceased, and a silence as of death reigned over the place.
"Arise," Cuthbert said; "the danger, methinks, is past.

It was what men call an avalanche--a torrent of snow slipping down from the higher peaks.
We have had a narrow escape indeed." By this time the knight whom they had rescued was able to speak, and raising his visor, he returned his deepest thanks to those who had come so opportunely to his aid.
"I was well nigh exhausted," he said, "and it was only my armour which saved me from being torn to pieces.

A score of them had hold of me; but, fortunately, my mail was of Milan proof, and even the jaws and teeth of these enormous beasts were unable to pierce it." "The refuge is near at hand," Cuthbert said.

"It is but a few yards round yonder point.