Harold Edward Bindloss

“ After all, the endurance of bitter frost is rather a question of moral than physical strength, as every prospector who has crossed the snow-bound altitudes on the gold trail knows.
He forced himself to get up, and stood still, shivering in every limb, while a bitter wind struck through him as he gathered his resolution together. Then, stripping off his deerskin jacket, he flung it over one arm as he turned toward his companions' shelter. ”

“ Ida's Confidence An hour passed, and it was growing dark when Weston scrambled up the hillside empty-handed.
"There's a slope between us and the timber, sir, that's too steep to get down," he announced. "I worked along the edge of it until the light failed me and the mist got very thick."
"You did quite right to come back," said Kinnaird. "We shall have to stay here. What do you suggest?"
Weston looked around him carefully.
"There's a little hollow under the ledge yonder. You should keep fairly warm there close together with the blankets over you." ”

“ We'll be back again in a few hours with the major and Miss Kinnaird," he said.
Ida went up to him and touched his arm, and, for no very evident reason, the color crept into her face when he looked at her inquiringly.
"Can't the Indians find the way themselves?" she asked. "You are scarcely fit to go."
Weston shook his head.
"I must manage it somehow," he said. "They have nothing to eat up yonder, and the Indians might not find them until it's dark again." ”

“ None of them troubled themselves about him, and Ida, who had risen when she heard their voices, helped to convey Miss Kinnaird into the tent. In the meanwhile one of the Indians growled to his comrade when he found the fire out, and stolidly proceeded to relight it, while Weston lay with his back against a fir and watched him with half-closed eyes. The Siwash, however, proved that he was capable of preparing a meal, and when it was finished, Arabella, who appeared much fresher than the major, proceeded to relate her adventures to Ida and her mother. ”

“ Kinnaird demurred to this, but Weston, drawing him aside, spoke forcibly, and at length he made a sign of acquiescence.
"Well," he said, "no doubt you're right. After all, the great thing is to keep the warmth in us. Where are you going?" ”

“ After that he commenced a struggle with himself, for, numbed as he was, he did not want to move, which is one of the insidious effects of cold. It cramps its victim's volition as well as his body, and makes him shrink from any attempt at the muscular effort which would make it easier for him to resist it. ”