They could reconstruct it more strongly than ever; and put a stout door upon it to keep out any midnight intruder; and to this work did they apply themselves as soon as they had eaten dinner, and dried their garments--so thoroughly saturated by the colossal syringe of the defunct elephant.
Several days were spent in restoring the hovel--this time with considerable improvements.

The winter weather had now fairly set in; and household warmth had become an important object: so that not only did they fill up the chinks with a thick coating of clay, but a fireplace and chimney were constructed, and a strong door was added.
They knew that it would take them a long time to make the ladders--more than a dozen long ladders--each of which must be light as a reed and straight as an arrow.
During the milder days of winter they might work in the open air; indeed, the greater part of their work they must needs do outside the hut.

Still it would be necessary to have shelter not only during the nights, but in times of storm and severe weather.
Prudence therefore counselled them to providence; and before proceeding farther with their design of scaling the cliff, they made all snug within doors.
They had no fear of suffering from the winter's cold--either for want of clothing by day, or covering by night.

Some of the yak-skins were still in good preservation--with the pelts of several other animals that had fallen before the double-barrel of Caspar--and these would suffice for warm clothing by day and bed-covering by night.
About their winter's food they were a little more anxious.

The elephant had succeeded not only in destroying their means of obtaining provisions, but had also damaged the stock which was on hand, by trampling it in the mud.