the day did they halt, early in the evening, to make
tea and partake of much-needed refreshment, and then were quickly on
their way again, continuing by moonlight.

It was past midnight when, Ungava Bob in the lead, crossing a barren
rise, beheld the smooth white surface of the Great Lake stretching far
away to the northward. Descending the ridge and plunging into the thin
forest below, he turned with a nameless dread at his heart toward the
lodge where, three months before, he had said farewell to Shad and
Manikawan. Then they were in the full exuberance of health and
strength. How should he find them now? He dared not answer the
question.

A little farther, and the lodge, a black blot on the snow, loomed up
through the trees. Quickening his pace, he peered anxiously ahead for
smoke, half hoping, wholly dreading, the result. Yes, there it was!
The merest whiff rising above the protruding lodge poles at the top!
At least one lived!

Bob broke into a run, the others at his heels, and, scarcely halting
to drop the hauling rope of his toboggan from his shoulders, he lifted
the flap and entered, calling as he did so:

"Shad! Shad! Manikawan! Does you hear me?"

The place was dark. The smouldering embers of a fire gave out no
light, and receiving no answer Bob shouted to the others to bring a
candle. Ed Matheson had anticipated the need, and, close at Bob's
side, struck a light.

XXVI

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS"

As the candle sputtered for a moment and then flared up, it revealed,
lying prone on opposite sides of the lodge, feet to the embers of the
dying fire, two human wrecks, whose emaciated features and shrunken
forms could never have been recognised as those of Shad and Manikawan.

Bob stooped, and taking Shad gently by the shoulder shook him, saying
as he did so:

"Shad! Shad! Shad!"

Slowly Shad, awakening from deep and exhausting slumber, opened his
cavernous eyes and stared vacantly at Bob.

"Shad!" Bob repeated. "'Tis Bob an' Ed an' Dick come for you! Shad! We
has grub, Shad!"

Still Shad gave no sign of recognition.

"Shad! Shad!" pleaded Bob. "Don 't you know me now, Shad?"

Then light came into Shad's face, and he forced himself to a sitting
position.

"Bob! Oh, Bob!" he exclaimed, in a weak voice. "Am I awake or is it
just a dream? Oh, Bob! Good old Bob! And Ed! and Dick! I was dreaming
of you and the tilts. The dear old tilts! And you've come! You've
really come? I heard