But still it was more pleasant inside than out, for the wind was rising and the large flakes of snow had given place to fine hard particles which came swishing down like so much sharp salt, so Dick said. It cut into their faces and made them thankful that some shelter had been found, no matter how humble.
It was too dark now to see anything, and sitting on some old hay in the most sheltered corner of the building the five boys held a consultation.
"I move we stay here until morning," said Tom. "If we go out again we may be lost and frozen to death."
"That is true," commented Frank. "But what will Captain Putnam say?"
"He can't blame us for what has happened," said Dick. "We tried our best to get back."
"Yah, und he vos know ve ton't stay here nildowit suppers for noddings," was the manner in which the German cadet expressed himself.
"Oh, Hans, how can you!" broke from Tom, who could eat at any time, and who now felt more hungry than any of them. "Do you mean to say we'll have to remain here all night without our suppers!"
"Vell, vot else you vos going ter do, hey?"
"We'll have to go without something to eat, unless we can find something close at hand," said Frank.
One after another went out to the doorway and to the open window and gazed forth. But the howling wind and blinding snow soon made all glad enough to get back to the sheltered corner. It was now pitch dark.