SNOWED UP. 303 
and came back refreshed. Breakfast was formally served 
as usual, and then a council of war was held. Conductor, 
engineers, and brakemen being consulted, and inventories 
taken, it was found that, while food was abundant, the 
stock of wood in the bins would not last till noon. There 
were twelve railroad men and thirty-five passengers on 
board, some twenty of the latter being emigrants in a 
second-class, behind the two Pullmans. 
The little company gathered in the snow-bound car 
looked blankly at each other, some of them instinctively 
drawing their wraps more tightly about their shoulders, 
as if they already felt the approaching chill. 
It was miles to the nearest station in either direction. 
Above, below, on all sides, was the white blur of tumultu- 
ous, wind-lashed snow. 
The silence was broken pleasantly. Once more Bob 
felt the power of those clear, sweet tones. 
The men must make up a party to hunt for wood," 
she said. " While you're gone, we women will do what 
we can for those who are left." 
The necessity for immediate action was evident ; and 
without further words the council broke up, to obey her 
suggestion. 
A dozen men, looking like amateur Esquimaux, and 
floundering up to their armpits at the first step, started 
through the drifts. Bob thought he recognized a face 
pressed close to the pane, and watching them anxiously ; 
but he could not be sure. 
