About three in the afternoon his eyes were gladdened by the sight of a column of smoke rising to the sky a long way off.
"Bravo!" he cried, "I'm in the right direction. I will reach a house soon," and encouraged by this prospect, he pushed ahead with renewed vigor, although his strength was fast failing, and the walking grew no easier.
That smoke meant Mamezan without doubt, and Mamezan meant relief for them all. He must get there before night.
For another half-hour he plowed laboriously through the drifts, and by the end of that time the roofs of Mamezan hove into sight through the fading light of the day already drawing to a close.
But alas! with the haven getting so near he began to feel that he should not be able to reach it. His whole system was on the verge of complete collapse. Agonizing pains shot through his body like stabs from red-hot needles. Then a roaring filled his ears. He became blind and dizzy, and, at last, succumbing to his sufferings, he fell unconscious upon the snow!
Vigilant, standing by his master, howled dismally. His paws having got warm while Cæsar carried him in his arms, he was able to use them again, and he ran hither and thither barking frantically, while Cæsar with pallid hands and face lay motionless.
Seeing that his young master made no response to his appeals Vigilant lifted his head, and looked about him in every direction. Then, after a moment's pause he set off at full speed in the direction of Mamezan.
It was now night—a cold dark December night. Vigilant kept on at a good pace until suddenly he stopped, and turned about. He heard the sound of a bell, and saw a good way off the gleam of a light that was not still, but was moving towards him, while the tinkling of the bell grew clearer.
With a joyous bark that meant as plainly as words:
"Hurrah! there's some one who will help us," Vigilant scampered over the snow in the direction of the light.