"It's really you!" the boy murmured. "I thought I was hearing things."
Garth clapped him between the shoulders. "Buck up, my hearty!" he cried. "It's all right now!"
"Have you got Natalie?" the boy said quickly.
Garth sadly shook his head.
"You shouldn't have come back then," he said dully. "I didn't expect it!"
Garth hugged him anew. "Dear lad!" he cried with a break in his voice. "I couldn't let you die in the snow!"
The kindness brought fuller consciousness back to the boy's eyes. He clung to Garth then; and lowered his head; and whimpered a little. After all he was only seventeen.
Garth hoisted him to the saddle; and headed into the storm again. The horse balked continually, sorely trying his patience. Their progress was very slow. Garth sought to keep Charley up with cheerful speech.
"Bully for you to keep going!" he cried.
"It was because—Natalie might need me," the boy's voice trailed.