He wrapped the blanket around himself, covering his body well
from neck to ankle, putting his rifle just inside the fold, but
with his hand upon it, ready for instant use if it should be
needed. Then he started, walking straight ahead until he came to
the crown of a little hill. The clouds meanwhile thickened, and
the rain, of the kind that he had foreseen and as cold as ice,
was blown against him. The grass and bushes were reeking, and
his moccasins became sodden. Despite the vigorous walking, lie
felt the wet cold entering his system. There come times when the
hardiest must yield, and be saw the increasing need of refuge.

He surveyed the country attentively from the low hill. All
around was a dull gray horizon from which the icy rain dripped
everywhere. There was no open country. All was forest, and the
heavy rolling masses of foliage dripped with icy water, too.

Toward the south the land seemed to dip down, and Henry surmised
that in a valley he would be more likely to find the shelter that
he craved. He needed it badly. As he stood there he shivered
again and again from head to foot, despite the folds of the
blanket. So he started at once, walking fast, and feeling little
fear of a foe. It was not likely that any would be seeking him
at such a time. The rain struck him squarely in the face now.
Water came from his moccasins every time his foot was pressed
against the earth, and, no matter how closely he drew the folds
of the blanket, little streams of it, like ice to the touch,
flowed down his neck and made their way under his clothing. He
could not remember a time when he had felt more miserable.