He led Nalla out in front of the van, and attached him by ropes to the whippletree. Then, in as cheery a tone as he could manage, he called out:
"Now, then, Nalla, help your old comrade out of his difficulty. You see he cannot haul the van through this deep snow alone. You must give him the aid of your vast strength."
But alas! Nalla seemed to have lost all his strength and spirit. Instead of responding to such an appeal as the faithful, big-hearted creature was wont to do, he collapsed upon the snow!
With this, all hope of the poor children being able to get away appeared to be at an end. There was no other alternative than to spend the night on that appalling waste of snow.
Of course they would be fairly well sheltered from the cold in their van, and, as they fortunately had a little fuel still left, they could keep up a small fire in the tiny cooking-stove.
But how about the elephant and the horse? What was to become of them? Something must be done on their behalf. So Cæsar, Nadine and Abel went to work to clear away the snow from around the van, in order to make some sort of a resting-place for the two animals.
It was hard work, although they went at it with all their strength, and by the time it was finished night was drawing near.
"Here now, Nalla," said Cæsar. "Get up, old fellow, from that cold place, and come over to where we have cleared all the snow away. You will find it much more comfortable."
The big creature, after several vain efforts, succeeded in getting to his feet again, and followed Cæsar to the spot indicated, where he at once lay down again.
Nadine was very much alarmed.