Better return to the nearest township and await better weather.

As for the prisoners, they had food enough to keep life in them for a day or two, and after that they must take their chance.

Whereupon Old Faithful and Meroo had offered to go on, carrying some of the provisions they had with them, and trusting to be able to follow the tracks left by the horses in the snow.

This had been agreed upon, and--here they were! "For," as Old Faithful went on, "see you, I am not afraid of snow, having been with Babar the brave (on whom be peace) when he marched from Herat to Kabul and was nigh lost on the Great Zirrin pass." Little Akbar, who was playing at cat's cradle with his sister, looked up eagerly.

"Was Grand-dad ever in the snow?
'Cos if he was, he's quite sure to help us, for he ate all our sweeties, didn't he, Bija ?" The little girl shook her head and put her finger to her lip, in warning to him not to give away their secret; but Head-nurse was sharp.
"Ohe," said she, "so that was it! Listen, Foster-father! these babes set the platter for Firdoos Gita Makani--on whom be peace! Is not that good omen for us all ?" "Mayhap!" said Foster-father, clearing his throat cautiously, "and my heart is comforted also by the presence of Faithful, who was with the great king in his battle with snow and ice." The Heir-to-Empire dropped his cat's cradle and went over to the old trooper and stood before him with grave, questioning eyes.
"Is it so, slave?
Were you with Grand-dad in the snow ?" "Most-Honourable! I was," replied the old man boastfully, "and I remember as if 'twas yesterday----" "Tell us the tale, trooper," interrupted Head-nurse.