Jack waited no longer, and they hurried down to the ice house much faster than they had ascended the cliff.
Jack hurriedly related to Hugo what had occurred, and explained how they might scale the cliff farther down the shore and get out on the ice beyond.
“The boys will stay here,” he said. “Do not leave the hut till we return, Will.”
The two sailors took each a gun and started out on their hurried errand.
Time passed drearily to the trio they had left behind them. Tom and Willis wished to go up to the cliffs to see the lake, but Will reminded them of Jack’s injunction.
It was well they followed it, for shortly afterwards a wild wind swept over the spot and a furious snow storm set in.
As darkness came down, and there were no signs of the return of Jack and Hugo, Will became alarmed.
He pushed aside the door, or block of ice, that filled the entrance to the hut and crawled out finally.
The snow was deep and blinding, and he became terrified as he realized the difficulty the sailors would have in finding the hut.
He imparted his apprehensions to his companions.