A huge fire was lit, for the nights were now becoming very cold, and snow had fallen occasionally for the last four or five days, and in the open country was lying some inches deep.

The next day they journeyed a few miles farther, and then chose a spot for the erection of a hut.
It was close to a stream, and the men at once set to work, with axes, to fell trees and clear a space.
It was agreed that the captain and two of the men, of the most pacific demeanour, should go to the nearest town, some forty miles away, to lay in stores.

They were away five days, and then returned with the welcome news that a cart, laden with flour and a couple of barrels of spirits, was on a country track through the forest a mile and a half away.
"How did you manage, captain ?" Charlie asked.
"We went to the house of a well-to-do peasant, about a mile from the borders of the wood.

I told him frankly that we belonged to a band who were going to winter in the forest, that we would do him no harm if he would give us his aid, but that if he refused he would soon have his place burnt over his head.

As we said we were ready to pay a fair sum for the hire of his cart, he did not hesitate a moment about making the choice.