Soon he had them all under it, and the respite from the driving gale was welcomed by none more than by Lottie, who, in spite of her courage and sustaining excitement, was beginning to suffer greatly.
De Forrest, being a smoker, had matches; but, in his impatience to light a fire, destroyed most of them.
"Here, Julian, give them to me," said Lottie, most decisively.
Then, after all the dry material which could be collected, by groping round in the dark, was gathered in the most sheltered nook, she took from her pocket a delicate lace handkerchief, and, by means of that, lighted the sticks and leaves. Soon they were warming their numb hands and chilled bodies beside a cheerful blaze.
Hemstead watched Lottie with wondering and increasing admiration. In securing a fire, they escaped all immediate danger, and she became as cheery as if the disaster, which had threatened even a fatal termination, were only an episode, and the long, wintry bivouac, in that desolate place, but a picnic in the woods.
"You are the queerest girl I ever knew, Lottie," said Bel.
"She means by that, you are the best," Hemstead added.
"Come, this is no time for compliments, but for work," said Lottie, energetically, and she set De Forrest at it also.
The robes were brought from the sleigh, and after the snow had been trampled down and cleared away between the fire and the ledge, here they were spread. Addie and Bel were, at first, terror-stricken at the thought of spending the night in the mountains, but were made so comfortable that, at last, their tears ceased.
"Our best hope is this brandy," said De Forrest, drawing a flask from his pocket.