“Had it, sir, thank ye.”

“See anything?”

“Yes, sir. There’s three lots o’ them Dwats down low there—six or seven hundred of ’em, I should say.”

“Ah!” cried Bracy, rising quickly into a sitting position, but yielding to an agonising pain and letting himself sink back with a groan.

“Hurt yer, sir?” said Gedge commiseratingly.

“Horribly. But tell me; have I been asleep?”

“Hours and hours, sir. It’s just sundown. I was in hopes you’d be better, sir.”

“I am, Gedge. I was in a horrible state before. My brain seemed numbed.”

“No wonder, sir, lying in the snow all night; but you talk quite straight now.”

“Did I seem incoherent before?” said Bracy excitedly.