THE VOICE IN THE AIR Robert slept long and peacefully the night after his Christmas dinner, and, when he rose the next morning, he felt more buoyant and hopeful than for days past.

The celebration had been a sort of anchor to his spirit, keeping him firm against any tide of depression that in his situation might well have swept him toward despair.

As he recalled it the day after, Tayoga, Willet and Grosvenor were very vivid figures at his table, sitting opposite him, and to right and left.

They had responded to his toast, he had seen the flash in their eyes, and their tones were resonant with hope and confidence.

It was clear they had meant to tell him that rescue was coming.
He accepted these voices out of the distance as definite and real.