They returned to the cave and silently sat down on the stones that had been placed for seats near the fire.
It was a most trying situation.
Even if Mr. Willett and Hank Tims had been safely there in the cave, the ever-increasing storm and the possibility, or rather the certainty of its danger if it continued would have been sufficient to drive sleep from the eyes of all.
But Sam Willett, brave, unselfish youth that he was, gave no thought to the peril of his own surroundings.
With his chin resting between his up-turned palms, he looked steadily at the dying fire without seeing it.
His heart and his thoughts were ever with his sorely-tried father at Hurley's Gulch, and he groaned as he read in the beating of the storm the edict that might bar his going to the rescue.
But though unmindful of himself, it was not in Sam's nature to neglect the comfort of others.
"Lie down, all of you," he said to his companions, "and I will stand guard till daylight comes."
After a weak protest, Wah Shin, Ulna and Ike brought in their blankets and lay down before the fire.
Ike pretended that he did not want to sleep, but, after an attempt at desultory talk, his eyes closed and he soon became oblivious to his surroundings.