might well conceal many a deadly peril.

His strength was becoming exhausted by the severe strain of wading
through the deep drifts when, turning round a corner of the wall of
rock beside him, his eyes were gladdened by a welcome sight. Across
the expanse of snow he could see shining a tiny bright light. It was
no reflection from the moonbeams, for it burned with a reddish glow
amid the dazzling whiteness all around. His courage revived; he was
certainly not far from some habitation--perhaps the very one he sought!
The thought filled him with fresh vigor; his wearied limbs gained new
strength, and he climbed forward with energy and decision. But, alas!
in spite of his efforts, the light seemed to recede; it grew gradually
smaller and less bright until he lost sight of it altogether.

The man's powers of endurance were well-nigh spent. His food had been
eaten long before while he lay in shelter; his flask--more carefully
husbanded--was now empty. He almost gave up striving. Why not give
way to the almost uncontrollable desire to lie down and rest in the
snow? He could hold out no longer!

It was at that critical moment that through the intense stillness of
the mountain solitudes he heard the bark of a dog! Once more he picked
up courage. Staggering on a few steps further, he saw from behind an
intervening rock, which had concealed it till then, the light from a
window not far ahead!

All interest in his errand had departed long before. What did he care
if the mountain were full of illicit stills? The only desire that
possessed him now was that roused by the human instinct in every man in
peril of his life--the desire to escape from danger. Oh, for