“I reckon he’s stunned more than anything else,” decided Abner wisely, after helping Martin to his feet and brushing off the snow. “But if the sorrel ain’t used up it’ll be a wonder. He air too old fer such servigrous exercise.” Although the animal floundered about excitedly, his fright was partly due to the flaming torch which Miss Howard held above her head. Abner soon quieted the frantic creature. They were near the passageway leading to the cave and shielded from the fury of the storm. “Soon as you can, fasten your horse to that pine and help me get Martin in by the fire; we’ll come back after it shortly.” Together, the two helped the young fellow along the passageway. The torch had suddenly flickered out, but a pale light showed the entrance to the cave. Two heads were thrust anxiously out, then the watchers ran to meet them. “Is Martin hurt?” exclaimed Talitha as she caught hold of him. “I don’t really think so,” assured her teacher, “but he must be chilled through. We must get him in by the fire—not too close—and rub him well. I wish he had something hot to drink.” Gradually Martin came to himself, although he seemed much exhausted. He lay propped up near the fire, the girls hovering over him while Miss Howard and Abner again disappeared. Presently they returned with the sorrel. Except for numerous bruises and being badly shaken up, the old horse had escaped injury, but it was plainly evident that he would not be able to carry Talitha farther on her journey. None of the party were thinking of that now, they were too thankful to be together once more. Fortunately the cave was large enough to allow of the animals being tethered near the entrance and leave room about the fireplace for their riders to spread the scanty supper. It was meagre enough, and the party thought hungrily of the bountiful dinner they had eaten that noon—it seemed like yesterday. If the weather permitted them to go on the next morning there would be several hours’ journey before they could get anything more to eat, and if they were obliged to stay longer— That was too serious to think about and they tried to help Miss Howard make as light of the situation as possible. “I saved an ear of corn for the sorrel,” whispered Talitha to Abner. “It’s in Jack’s saddlebag.” It was terribly hard to see the faithful animals nosing about on the ground for a bit of provender—much worse than going without herself, Talitha thought. Abner nodded and slipped away. After a time he returned with an armful of sticks and threw them down before the fire. “I can easily find enough to last through the night, and perhaps I can get a little fodder if I look around. It doesn’t seem to be snowing quite so much, but I can hardly tell, it’s so sheltered here,” he said, choosing some dry pine for another torch.