They knew that the outlook commanded a wide
view to the south and north, and that if Burt were cowering somewhere in
that region, it would be a good point from which to attract his attention.
"I move that we make a fire here," said Leonard. "Abram is half-frozen,
we are all chilled to the bone, and the horses need rest. I think, too,
that a fire can be seen further than any sound can be heard."
The instinct of self-preservation caused them all to accede, and,
moreover, they must keep up themselves in order to accomplish anything.
They soon had a roaring blaze under the partial shield of a rock, while
at the same time the flames rose so high as to be seen on both sides of
the ridge as far as the storm permitted. The horses were sheltered as
well as possible, and heavily blanketed. As the men thawed out their
benumbed forms, Webb exclaimed, "Great God! what chance has Burt in such
a storm? and what chance have we of finding him?"
The others shook their heads gloomily, but answered nothing.
"It will kill mother," he muttered.
"There is no use in disguising the truth," said the doctor, slowly. "If
Burt's alive, he must have a fire. Our best chance is to see that. But
how can one see anything through this swirl of snow, that is almost as
thick in the air as on the ground?"
To their great joy the storm soon began to abate, and the wind to blow in
gusts. They clambered to the highest point near them, and peered eagerly
for some glimmer of light; but only a dim, wild scene, that quickly
shaded off into utter obscurity, was around them.
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