Water was obtained by melting a quantity of the snow, and soon they had the first can of hot cocoa ready. In the meanwhile several of the lads were broiling the rabbits as best they could.
"I know how I'm going to heat the next can of water," declared Andy. "I'm going to do as the Indians did—drop a clean, redhot stone into it." And this he did later on and got his boiling water in short order.
It was not a very satisfactory meal, but the lads had fun eating it, and they did not complain when they found portions of the broiled rabbits slightly burnt and found that four fancy crackers with cheese each did not take the place of a big pan of biscuits or a good-sized loaf of bread.
"One thing is in our favor, anyhow," said Fred, with a sigh of satisfaction, after they had finished their scant meal. "We won't have to wash the dishes."
The can was dried over the fire, the cocoa was replaced, and then the lads proceeded to make themselves comfortable for the night. They missed their blankets, and it was therefore decided that they should take turns in sitting up and guarding the fire, so that all might keep warm without running the danger of setting fire to the cedars under which they were resting.
It proved to be a long and wearisome night for most of them. The resting places were anything but soft, and a fitful wind often blew the smoke of the campfire toward the would-be sleepers, causing them to cough and shift their positions. But neither man nor beast came to disturb them, for which they were thankful.
"Going to bother about breakfast?" questioned Jack, as he sat up and saw that Gif and Spouter were already stirring.
"I don't think so," was the answer. "If you fellows are willing, we'll strike right out for the Lodge. We can get a better meal there."
The others agreed, and almost before daylight they were on their way again. They climbed to the top of the cliff, and, after moving around cautiously for several hundred feet, reached a well defined trail running in the direction Gif thought they ought to take.
The storm had cleared away, and soon the sun came peeping over the treetops.