Andy suggested that they try and make a lean-to, or some temporary shelter for themselves and the horse, and wait until the storm abated, but Phil demurred to this. "We'd be snowed under and half-frozen to death," he remarked. "No, Andy, we must keep on the move. Even old Dobbin, tired out as he is, says that." "How does he say it?" inquired Andy curiously. "Watch him move about restlessly, and sniff and head south as if he realized we mustn't stand still, and as if knew that some habitation or town is ahead. I reckon we'll trust to horse sense, Andy, and see what it brings us to." After a spell the two youths got themselves in as comfortable a position as was possible on the single saddle. Phil kept hold of the reins, but he did not attempt to guide the horse. That intelligent animal made slow but sure-footed progress. The snow was falling heavily and swirling all about them. The boys spread the blanket over them. It served as a tent shelter for themselves and as a partial covering for the horse. "That's a good deal warmer," said Andy. "I hope the old horse doesn't give out. I never saw such a night, Phil!" They conversed casually for some time. Then there was a lapse to silence. Phil felt Andy lean up against him, breathing heavily. "He's asleep, poor fellow," soliloquized Phil. "I'm drowsy myself. This will be an experience to talk about, I'm thinking. This tent of ours is getting a pretty heavy roof, it seems to me." Phil shook the blanket and dislodged some of the snow that had gathered there. Then he settled down to make the most of an unpleasant and dubious situation. The blanket shut out the cold. The faithful horse seemed to need no guidance, and Phil dozed away before he was aware of it. "Hello!" was his waking exclamation, how long afterwards he could not estimate. "Why the horse has stopped, and--what's that?" A dull crash greeted Phil's ears. Instantly he roused up, threw the blanket off, and tried to make out where he was and what had happened. "Why, it's a house," said Phil--"we are bolt up against it and the horse has nosed in a window. Andy! Andy!" he shouted, shaking his companion violently. "We've arrived--somewhere." Andy was quickly aroused, and both boys were actively wide-awake in an instant. They slipped from the horse, to land to the knees in snow. The horse had poked his nose through the window he had broken and was sniffing, as if inhaling warmth. The house, which occupied a clearing, was built of logs and had a shed behind it. Phil wandered around to the front of the place. He knocked loudly at the door several times, then he shouted. There was no response, and he lifted and rattled the latch. To his surprise the door gave and opened inwards.