It was darker in the forest of lodge-pole pine than out on the ice-field, but the timber offered comparative refuge from the driving sleet and wind. Another difficulty presented itself, however, in the close growth of trees. To avoid collision with the crowded trunks, it became necessary to undo the rope that held the five beasts together. Each was thus allowed to roam his own way, and this was the more hazardous, as the hurricane ofttimes tore up a smaller pine and, twisting it about like a cork-screw, flung it down like a straw. Noddy seemed possessed to travel in a certain direction, so Polly, sure of a burro's instinct for shelter and refuge, gave her her head. Eleanor's burro also seemed anxious to go in the same direction Noddy took, and followed in her footsteps. But Choko, freed from the detaining rope and not so worn by battling the gale with a rider to carry, made for a spot to the right of Noddy. Suddenly Eleanor screamed and pointed at Choko. "Oh, look quick! Choko! Choko!" Even as she cried, Choko was seen frantically scrambling on the verge of a cliff, and suddenly vanished over its side. CHAPTER XIII A NIGHT IN THE CAVE "Oh, my little Choko!" sobbed Polly, quickly turning Noddy to go down to the edge of the precipice where the burro had slipped over and down. "Now we haven't a thing to eat, and no blankets for the night! I knew this was a foolish outing," complained Barbara. Eleanor failed to hear her sister's selfish remark, for she was driving her burro closely upon Noddy's heels. Anne was so impatient at Barbara that she urged her horse after Eleanor to keep herself busy. "Good gracious! Am I to sit here alone and freeze! I'm sure I'm not such a fool as to have the same thing happen to me as it did to Choko," cried Barbara, but the wind carried her words back to Grizzly Slide. Polly slid from her saddle and stretched out flat upon the brink to peer over the edge for a possible sight of the burro. As she did so, she saw a mass of baggage and burro scramble upright and shake itself violently. Then a plaintive whinny rose up to welcome the fearful girls. "Whoa! Whoa, Choko!" shouted Polly, instantly. Jumping up, she called to Eleanor: "Choko fell upon a ledge, but there's a great hole behind him and should he back he will surely fall in and be lost. I'm going down to lead him out!" "Oh, Polly, don't risk your precious life for a burro!" screamed Barbara, hysterically. "If Noddy can creep down, I'll save Choko without risk to myself," declared Polly, climbing in the saddle. "If Polly goes, I go too!" exclaimed Eleanor, turning her burro to follow Noddy. "Don't you dare! Nolla--think of mother grieving for you, and me left alone in Colorado, helpless!" cried Barbara. "Now I'm going, anyway! I'd like mother to appreciate me," was Eleanor's unexpected reply, but Anne caught an undaunted look in the girl's eyes.