"All against it say 'no.'"

Silence.

"The Inn of the Black Panther it is," said Will, "an' it is the most
welcome inn that ever housed me."

The Panther smiled benevolently.

"I don't blame you boys for havin' a little fun," he said. "It does feel
good to be here after all that we've been through."

The joy of the Texans was irrepressible. Fields began to pat and three
or four of them danced up and down the earthen floor of the cabin. Will
watched with dancing eyes. Ned, more sober, sat by his side.

However, the highest spirits must grow calm at last, and gradually the
singing and dancing ceased. It had grown quite close in the cabin now,
and one of the window shutters was thrown open, permitting a rush of
cool, fresh air that was very welcome. Ned looked out. The wind was
still whistling and moaning, and the snow, like a white veil, hid the
trees.

The men one by one went to sleep on the floor. Obed and Fields kept
watch at the window during the first half of the night, and the Panther
and Ned relieved them for the second half. They heard nothing but the
wind, and saw nothing but the snow. Day came with a hidden sun, and the
fine snow still driven by the wind, but the Panther, a good judge of
weather, predicted a cessation of the snow within an hour.