The fire had been started against the face of a boulder, and only a small quantity of wood remained--not sufficient to last half through the night.

With the going down of the sun the air became colder.

It seemed at times as if a breath of wind from the snowy peaks reached them, and it caused an involuntary shiver.

The prospect of remaining where they were through the dismal hours of darkness was anything but cheering.
"Jack," suddenly said Fred in a guarded undertone, "there's some wild animal near us." "How can you know that ?" "I heard him moving about." "In what direction ?" "Just beyond the ridge there.

Hark! Didn't you hear it ?" "You are right," whispered Jack; "let's find out what it is." Gun in hand, they moved stealthily up the slight ridge near by.