human
I believe I was cold, Van admitted, rubbing his hands over the dying embers of the blaze.
gpt
But I'm warm as toast now. Is there any more grub left to eat?
human
Not a crumb--why? Are you still hungry?
gpt
Well, not exactly. I only thought we ought not to waste anything.
human
I say, there's a snowflake! he cried.
gpt
And another! Jove, Van, it's begun to snow!
human
We better be getting down, I suppose,
gpt
Just that, old man; fast as we can, too. Come on.
human
What's your hurry? It will be a lark.
gpt
It will be no lark if it snows much--I'll tell you that, replied Bob seriously.
human
Besides, the folks will worry. Come ahead.
gpt
You can hardly see our tracks already, Bob called over his shoulder.
human
And this wind is fierce. I had no idea it would snow. It is awfully wet and sticky snow, too; see how it clings to the trees.
gpt
I don't remember that big rock, exclaimed Van suddenly, pointing to a huge boulder that fronted them.
human
Isn't it a whacker! Odd that I didn't notice it when we came up. Could we have passed it and not seen it?
gpt
I DON'T REMEMBER THAT BIG ROCK
human
I suppose we must have, Bob answered.
gpt
I don't remember it, though. Everything looks queer and different in the storm. It's a regular squall. How quickly it came!
human
Can you still see our tracks?
gpt
No. But of course we're right; I couldn't miss my way after coming over this path so many times.
human
Can you see the blazes on the trees?
gpt
No, silly. How could I when they are all plastered over thick with snow? was Bob's scornful retort. He was silent for a moment.
human
But don't you worry, he declared.
gpt
I am certain we came this way--at least I _think_ we did.
human
We don't seem to be coming out anywhere, do we?
gpt
No.
human
Didn't we pass a little clearing somewhere on the way up?
gpt
Yes, there was one.
human
Have we passed it?
gpt
No.
human
Then it's ahead of us.
gpt
It ought to be. I say, suppose we stop a minute and brush the snow off these trees so to make sure we really are on the trail.
human
A bully idea!
gpt
There don't seem to be any marks on these trees,
human
But there must be.
gpt
Find them then--if you can.
human
You're right, Van, he owned at last.
gpt
We're off the trail; missed it somehow. We'd better go back; we can't be far wrong. Or better yet, you wait here while I hunt.
human
You bet I'm not going to be left here to be buried in snow like the Babes in the Wood, protested Van gaily.
gpt
No sir-ee! I don't stay here. I'll help hunt for the path too. Now don't go getting nervous, Bobbie, old chap. Two of us can't very well get lost on this mountain. We'll separate enough to keep within hallooing distance, and we'll tie a handkerchief on this tree so we can get back to it again if we want to. We know we're part way down, anyway. That's certain.
human
I don't feel so sure, was Bob's answer.
gpt
We ought to have turned back when it began to cloud up; but I never dreamed of snow. The family will be having a blue fit about us.
human
Cheer up! We'll get down all right, only it may take us a little longer,