Under the inspiration of this resolve she again started forward. She
pressed bravely on her way, wearily dragging her snow-shoes which now
were so heavy. For a few minutes she moved onward. But her strength
was soon spent, and a great weakness swept upon her. She staggered
from side to side, and fought hard to stand upright. She grew
bewildered, and the trees seemed to be whirling around her. The
roaring of the storm overhead sounded like the voice of a demon mocking
at her despair. She could endure it no longer; she felt that she was
going out of her mind.

"Daddy, daddy! Dane, Dane!" she called, but only the wind replied with
a wild shriek to her passionate appeal for help.

Against a great tree she leaned her tired body for support. But it was
of little assistance in her distress. It could not reach out
sheltering arms, neither could it whisper words of comfort and hope.
Gradually her body weakened, drooped, and then like a tired child she
sank upon the snow at the foot of the lordly pine. The wind continued
its roaring in the trees, and the snow sifting down through their
branches whitened the still, huddled form below.




CHAPTER XXVIII

WITHIN THE LONE CABIN

The delay which kept Dane Norwood at Fort Howe as chief witness against