Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/70

Rh load of skins down to sell to the trading-merchants in the distant settlement.

But to be alone in the log hut, with a good supper on the table, and the door close shut, and a warm bed to go to by and by, was quite a different thing to being alone on a mountain-side, with snow coming.

For Dick knew what the great gray clouds rising as the sun set, meant.

Well, there was no help for it. He was not very far from the timber-line, and he must build a fire before it grew dark.

He took his hatchet and went down a little way to where he saw some dead pine trees, and chopped an armful of wood.

He built his fire skilfully, and set it blazing, and then he sat down against a rock and watched it.

He had a little food with him, and he ate half of it, keeping the rest for breakfast. When he had finished, it was dark.