If either of us failed it meant an entire night in the snow, and that would be little short of certain death.

It was a dreary prospect.
"However, as I say, the snow ceased to fall, and towards night the sky overhead began to clear, until presently the moon shone out and lit up the wintry scene.

But for this light we might have lost our way hopelessly, for the road lay over a heath, which being all covered in snow, we had only the wayside posts to direct us and keep us on the beaten track.
"It must have been near eight o'clock, sixteen hours since I had left the assembly at Ogilby, when I caught sight in the moonlight of a small cottage a little way removed from the road on our right.

The sight of this, the first habitation we had passed for hours, was welcome indeed.
I could scarcely stand with hunger, fatigue, and cold, and my brave horse was stumbling at every step.

Our only chance of reaching Culverton that night was in seeking such rest and refreshment as this place might afford, and I therefore gladly turned aside and led my weary steed along the by-path that led up to it.
"It was a small tumbledown cottage, or rather barn, and my fond hopes as to fire and refreshment were dashed at once.