There was a chance for a final joke. It fell to Perner:
"We've been keeping up a whole family," he chattered,—"several whole families. Now we're broke."
"You can have my place in the line," added Livingstone, and they changed.
The incident attracted little attention. Storm, cold, and hunger had deadened the instinct of curiosity natural to every human bosom. Presently Livingstone leaned forward and murmured to Van Dorn:
"Look at that old chap ahead yonder—around the corner. How he crouches and shivers! Isn't that great?"
Van Dorn looked as directed—then more keenly.
"Good God!" he said, "it's Colonel Hazard!" He leaned forward to Perner. "Isn't that the Colonel," he asked,—"that old fellow just around the corner, with his collar full of sleet?"
"By gad, it is!" decided Livingstone.
"We'll take him back with us," said Perner. "Poor old Colonel!"
The waif from behind was talking again. He had turned around so they could hear.