They decided to kindle a fire and remain at the camp till the next morning.

Each began at once to collect dry branches and bark from the white birch-trees that grew along the stream.
It was not until then that Billy made a bad discovery.

In those days there were no matches; for kindling a fire pioneers depended on igniting a little powder and tow in the pans of their flintlocks.

But when Billy unslung his pack of martens from the stock of the gun he found that the thong had somehow loosened the flint in the lock and that it had dropped out and was lost.

Both boys were discouraged, for the night was chilly.
They crept inside the camp, which was barely large enough to hold two persons.