The man stared at him and did not answer.
Observing that Ben was shivering from cold, and that the stranger too was severely chilled, Penny proposed calling either the rescue squad or an ambulance.
“Not on your life,” muttered the rescued man, trying to get up. “I’m okay, and I’m getting out of here.”
With Ben’s help, he managed to struggle to his feet, but they buckled under him when he tried to walk.
The man looked surprised.
“We’ll have to call the rescue squad,” Penny decided firmly.
“I have a better idea,” Ben supplied. “We can take him to my shack.”
Penny thought that the man should have hospital treatment. However, he sided with Ben, insisting he could walk to the nearby shack.
“I’m okay,” he repeated again. “All I need is some dry clothes.”
Supported on either side, the man managed to walk to the shack. Ben unlatched the door and hastily lighting an oil lamp, helped the fellow to the bed where he collapsed.