"Wait until we draw about a hundred long breaths apiece," said Lannes, "and then we'll have action."
"Suits me. That was a big climb."
As they rested, John looked down with renewed interest at the crater. He saw that the center of it was quite level, and evidently the soil on that spot was rich, as it was covered with thick long grass. Nearer by, among the stones, lay faggots, and also smaller pieces of wood.
"John," said Lannes, at the end of a few minutes, "you'll help me with these billets, won't you?"
"Of course. What do you want to do?"
"To build a fire. Aren't you cold?"
"I hadn't thought about it. I'm not likely to notice either heat or cold at such a time."
Lannes laughed. It was a low laugh of satisfaction, but wholly without irony.
"You're not cold," he said, "nor am I, and if we were we wouldn't build a fire to keep us warm. But we're going to build one."
They laid the faggots and smaller pieces together, and then cut off dry splinters with their clasp knives. Lannes set fire to the splinters with a match, and the two stood away. The blaze spread rapidly, and soon crackled and burned at a merry rate, sending up high flames.