But he crouched down lower against the cliff, drew his blanket closer and spread both hands over the fire, which had now died down into a glowing mass of coals.  He was wondering what they would do on the morrow, when their food was exhausted.  They had not only the storm to fight, but possible starvation in the days to come.  He foresaw that instead of discovering all the plans of the enemy they would have a struggle merely to live.

“Areskoui must truly be against us, Tayoga,” he said.  “Who would have predicted such a storm so early in the season?”

“We are several thousand feet above the sea level,” said Willet, “and that will account for the violent change.  I think the wind and snow will last all tonight, and probably all tomorrow.”

“Then,” said Robert, “we’d better gather more wood, build our wall higher and save ample fuel for the fire.”

The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities.  Robert’s blood began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose.  Now the snow, as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped his blood.  He was the most energetic of the three, and went the farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber.

One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the pistol in his belt.  A figure, tall and menacing, emerged from the darkness, and he retreated two or three steps.

It was his first thought that a warrior stood before him, but reason told him quickly no Indian was likely to be there, and, then, through the thick dusk and falling snow, he saw a huge black bear, erect on his hind legs, and looking at him with little red eyes.  The animal was so near that the lad could see his expression, and it was not anger but surprise and inquiry.  He divined at once that this particular bear had never seen a human being before, and, having been roused from some warm den by Robert’s advance, he was asking what manner of creature the stranger and intruder might be.

Robert’s first impulse was one of friendliness.  It did not occur to him to shoot the bear, although the big fellow, fine and fat, would furnish all the meat they needed for a long time.  Instead his large blue eyes gave back the curious gaze of the little red ones, and, for a little space, the two stood there, face to face, with no thought of danger or attack on the part of either.

“If you’ll let me alone I’ll let you alone,” said the lad.

The bear growled, but it was a kindly, reassuring growl.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you.  I was looking for wood, not for bear.”

Another growl, but of a thoroughly placid nature.