hich the snow had
drifted. So cosy did this desolate little valley seem after the
roaring tempest without, that Dick grew quite comfortable and drowsy,
and would have gone to sleep where he fell. But this Peter would by no
means allow. "You wake up," he commanded; "even little child know
better than go sleep in snow an' cold. You wake up."

"For pity's sake, let me alone!" Dick pleaded. "Go on if you like and
leave me here. I 'm so comfortable."

[Illustration: "'FOR PITY'S SAKE, LET ME ALONE!' DICK PLEADED. 'GO ON
AND LEAVE ME.'"]

"Ugh! Yes, you very comfortable, so you stay there that your bones
scare the birds away in the spring. That how comfortable you are."

And, roused by this grisly picture, Dick fought off the weariness that
was overwhelming him. They huddled in their blankets silently, and ate
some pieces of dried and icy deer's meat--ate with despair in their
hearts, for this food was their last.

The slight refreshment following the food and rest was almost unwelcome
to Dick, bringing with it a keener realisation of the consequences of
his wilfulness, and of the desperate strait they were in. When they
started again on their hopeless tramp, his thoughts turned to the
probable fate that awaited them. Once more he seemed to hear himself
say, "Nothing, nothing to help us!" And once more he seemed to hear
Peter's solemn answer, at the time unheeded, "Nothing, except Great
Spirit." With his whole soul he felt that it was true. He was facing
death more nearly than ever in his life before, and he knew it. With
the knowledge came the old, instinctive cry, the readiest of all
prayers, "God help us!"

But had he deserved such help? He knew that he had not. He was too
much confused with bitter cold and exhaustion to feel these things
other than vaguely and uncertainly. But as he stumbled on through the
swirling haze of white, he gave full sway to those softened thoughts
which he had hitherto rejected, seeing his past conduct in a clearer
light-the light of repentance. "Before I ask for help," thought poor
Dick, "I have need to say, 'God forgive me!' But if we get through
this, I 'll do my best to be less selfish, and to think less of my own
wishes. Oh, Steenie, Steenie! Indeed, I have need to ask for
forgiveness."

Resolves made under such circumstances are not generally worth much.
But though that hour might pass, Dick would never again be quite what
he was before. Some of his careles