Days and days since, these two have fallen behind on the march of the expedition of relief.

Days and days since, these two have been given up by their weary and failing companions as doomed and lost.

He who sits thinking is Richard Wardour.

He who lies sleeping or dead is Frank Aldersley.
The iceberg drifts slowly, over the black water, through the ashy light.
Minute by minute the dying fire sinks.

Minute by minute the deathly cold creeps nearer and nearer to the lost men.
Richard Wardour rouses himself from his thoughts--looks at the still white face beneath him--and places his hand on Frank's heart.