Chapter Three.
In the dark.
The horrible chill of impending death, the bright light of reason, and the intense desire to live, roused the half-stunned adventurer to action.
Die? Like that? No!—when salvation was offered to him in this way.
It was horrible, but it was for life. There, close by him, slightly powdered with snow, was the unfortunate’s sledge, and in an instant he was tearing at the rope which bound its load to the framework.
He could hardly believe his good fortune, for as the rope fell from the packages the first thing he set free was a fur-lined coat, possibly one which the dead man was too much exhausted to assume.
Suffering keenly from the cold, this was put on at once; and then, continuing the search, it was to find that a rifle was bound along one side, balanced by tools on the other. Then there were blankets and stores similar, as far as he could judge, to those with which his own sledge had been laden.
The warmth afforded by the thick garment and the exertion increased the thrill of returning energy. For he was no longer helpless to continue his journey. It could be no act of injustice to the dead to take possession of the means of saving his own life; and now all thought of giving up without making a desperate struggle was completely gone.
Soon after a fresh thrill of returning energy swept through him, and, turning quickly back to where the dead were lying, he knelt there, hesitating for a few moments before, with his determination increasing, he softly thrust the dog aside, and felt about the dead man’s waist.