"Come on—work hard—neber stop," began pushing through the snow with the vigor shown the day before.
The others followed in the order named, and with a resolution as strong as his to keep it up to the last verge of endurance.
It was necessary. In no other way could they escape the frightful doom that impended. Another condition was equally necessary; their efforts must be rightly directed. The guide must lead them toward the sea-coast. Had he the power to do so? The test was now going on, and the question would soon be settled.
They were terrible words spoken by Jack, but the time had passed when he felt it necessary to mince matters. He had done so at the beginning, but his companions were not children unable to bear the truth, however unpleasant it might be.
But, despite the good reason in what he said, neither Rob nor Fred quite credited its full meaning. While they could not explain how any person could guide himself unerringly, when there was no visible help for the eye, they believed that somehow or other he would "get there just the same."
They proved their own earnestness when Docak, after a long struggle through the clogging snow, stopped, turned about, and said:
"You be tired—then rest awhile."
"No," responded Fred, "I want no rest."
"Push on, then," added Rob, "unless you are tired yourself, Docak."
The idea that the native needed rest caused him a half-smile, as he faced forward and resumed his weary plowing through the snowy mass.