He stood on the river bank, pointed the rifle straight up and, when he shot, the muzzle blast illumined only falling snow. Too weary to do anything else, the mules only started nervously when the rifle roared. Joe listened intently, keeping his mouth open the better to hear. Then, after what seemed like hours and could have been no more than fifteen seconds, in the distance he heard an answering shot. Ten minutes later a hail sounded out in the darkness.
"Hall-oo!"
"Hall-oo!" Joe called back.
He heard a shouted, "Where are you?"
"Across the river! Can we ford?"
"Yes! Do you see my light?"
"No!"
"Stay where you are! I'll come over!"
A horse splashed in the river and came toward them. Suddenly, and almost unbelievingly, out in the swirling snow Joe saw the lighted lantern that the rider carried. He called,
"I see you now!"