n their teeth. At this
point, too, they came to the stretch of open ground which they had
crossed at a point some miles further to the north ward in their night
march. Here the storm raged in all its fury, and as they looked out
upon the plain, before quitting the shelter of the wood, they paused to
tighten their belts and readjust their snow-shoe lines. The gale was so
violent that the whole plain seemed tossed about like billows of the
sea, as the drift rose and fell, curled, eddied, and dashed along, so
that it was impossible to see more than half a dozen yards in advance.

"Heaven preserve us from ever being caught in an exposed place on such a
night as this!" said the accountant, as he surveyed the prospect before
him. "Luckily, the open country here is not more than a quarter of a
mile broad, and even that little bit will try our wind somewhat."

Hamilton and Harry seemed by their looks to say, "We could easily face
even a stiffer breeze than that, if need be."

"What should we do," inquired the former, "if the plain were five or six
miles broad?"

"Do? why, we should have to camp in the woods till it blew over, that's
all," replied the accountant; "but seeing that we are not reduced to
such a necessity just now, and that the day is drawing to a close, let
us face it at once. I'll lead the way; and see that you follow close at
my heels. Don't lose sight of me for a moment, and if you do by chance,
give a shout; d'ye hear?"

The two lads replied in the affirmative, and then bracing themselves up
as if for a great effort, stepped vigorously out upon the plain, and
were instantly swallowed up in clouds of snow. For half an hour or more
they battled slowly against the howling storm, pressing forward for some
minutes with heads down, as if _boring_ through it, then turning their
backs to the blast for a few seconds' relief, but always keeping as
close to each other as possible. At length the woods were gained; on
entering which it was discovered that Hamilton was missing.

"Hollo! where's Hamilton?" exclaimed Harry; "I saw him beside me not
five minutes ago."

The accountant gave a loud shout, but there was no reply. Indeed,
nothing short of his own stentorian voice could have been heard at all
amid the storm.

"There's nothing for it," said Harry, "but to search at once, else he'll
wander about and get lost." Saying this, he began to retrace his steps,
just as a brief lull in the gale took place.