side, and up and down, filled with the dread
that, should I stop, I should fall asleep. The snow all the time was
gathering round my head, forming an arch over me, and I had frequently
to make a hole in front, so as to obtain sufficient air for breathing.

How I lived through that dreadful night I cannot tell. Morning came at
last; the snow had ceased to fall as thickly as before, allowing the
light to penetrate through the veil drawn over the earth. Faint as was
the light, it gave me a glimpse of hope. I might still reach the wood,
and by obtaining a fire thaw my benumbed limbs. My first efforts were
directed towards breaking out of my icy prison; but the hole in front of
me was so small that it was not till I had made several attempts that I
could force my body through it.

I at length managed to get up on my feet, when I took a look round.
There stood my poor horse, where I had left it, rigid as a statue, and,
as I believed, frozen to death.

On every side I could see nothing but one vast expanse of snow. I could
not, however, remain where I was. Either on horseback or on foot I must
try to reach a place of shelter and to find my companions. I now
remembered that I had taken my shoes off. How to get them on again was
the difficulty, for when I felt them, I found that they were frozen as
hard as iron. I made several attempts to thrust in my feet, for I knew
that they would be dreadfully cut should I attempt to walk without
shoes. The exertion contributed somewhat, perhaps, to restore the
circulation in my veins, and at last, after many efforts, I got on my
shoes.

Having accomplished this I broke entirely out of my burrow, and
staggered towards my poor steed. To my great relief the animal moved
its head and looked at me, giving evidence that it was still alive. I
accordingly returned to the hole and dug out my saddle, when, after
great exertion, I managed to reach the horse and put it on. Then,
digging round the poor beast's front feet, and patting it on the neck, I
induced it to move forward a few paces.

It seemed surprising that, after the fearful night it had endured, it
should still be alive and could move its legs apparently without much
difficulty.

I now tried to mount, but could not bend my frozen limbs sufficiently to
get into the saddle. I therefore, taking the bridle in my hand, led
forward my horse, stumbling at every step. I hoped, however, that the
exercise would restore circulat