The fire, thus confined, burned fiercely and rapidly within its narrow limits, and a fine bed of coals soon formed.

It was time! The night had come on cold, and the chill returned to Paul's veins.

Before the fire was lighted he had begun to shiver, but when the deep bed of coals was formed, he sat before it and basked in the grateful and glowing heat.
"I think we'd better take off our clothing and dry it," said Henry, and both promptly did so.

They hung part of their garments before the fire, on a stick thrust in the ground, until they were dry, and then, putting them on again, replaced them with the remainder, to dry in their turn.
Meanwhile they ate of the venison that Henry carried in his knapsack, and felt very happy.

It was a wonderful experience for Paul.