Garratt Skinner, however, roused him, and drowsily he helped to clear the ledge.

Then Walter Hine was placed in the middle that he might get what warmth and shelter was to be had, the rope was hitched over a spike of rock behind, so that if any one fell asleep he might not fall off, and Delouvain and Skinner took their places.

By this time darkness had come.

They sat upon the narrow ledge with their backs to the rock and the steep snow-slopes falling away at their feet.

Far down a light or two glimmered in the chalets of La Brenva.
Garratt Skinner emptied the _Ruecksack_ on his knees.
"Let us see what food we have," he said.