For half a mile their way led along the road, then they scrambled over a wall and began to ascend the barren hill-side. The snow was falling fast now. Thicker and thicker it came down, and when, hot and panting, they reached the top of the hill, the wind blew the flakes so fiercely into their faces that they were half-blinded, and were obliged to turn their backs to the gale while they got breath. For half an hour they struggled on. They could scarcely see ten paces before them through the driving snow, and in every sheltered spot white patches rapidly began to form. "How different things look in a snow-storm!" Dick said, as they stopped for breath and shelter under the lee of a wall. "I don't know, Tom, but I am not quite sure that we are going straight; I do not know what wall this is." "No more do I," Tom Jackson replied. "I felt quite sure that we were going right at first, but somehow I don't think so now." "I wish the snow would stop for a minute," Dick said, "just to let us have a look round. If I could see a hundred yards I am sure I should know where we are. What is the matter with you, James; what are you blubbering about?" "My feet are so cold; they hurt dreadfully." "Oh, never mind," Dick said. "Come, boys, push along, and we shall soon be home." Again they started with heads bent to face the storm. "It is getting dark awfully fast," Tom Jackson said. "It is, and no mistake. Come, let us have a trot. Come on, young one." But, although Dick spoke hopefully, he was not as confident as he appeared. He was sure now that they had lost the way. They might not, he hoped, be far off the track; but he knew that they were not following the precise line by which they came. It was now nearly dark. The snow was falling thicker than ever, and the ground, except upon the uplands exposed to the full force of the wind, was covered with a white mantle. On arriving at the bottom of a steep hill, they stopped again. "Do you know where we are, Tom?" "Not in the least," Tom answered. "This ought to be the last valley," Dick said, "and after one more climb we ought to go straight down into Castleton. Don't you remember in that valley there were a lot of sheep in a fold, with a wall round it? If we can find that, we shall know that we are right. It is near the bottom, so we shall not miss it. Which way shall we turn, left or right?" "Let us try the left first," Tom said. They walked for half a mile, gradually ascending. "It is not this way," Tom said at last. "We are getting to the head of the valley. What are you doing, James?" as the young boy, who had been sobbing for some time, threw himself on the snow. "I cannot go any farther," he murmured. "I am so cold, and so tired, and so sleepy." "Oh, nonsense!" Dick said. "Here, take hold of his arm, Tom, and lift him up; give him a good shake; he must go on; he would die if he stopped here."