His excitement and rapid motion kept him from
noticing at first the great bitterness of the cold.
When he had gone five or six miles he drew his horse down to a walk.
Then, feeling the intensity of the cold as the mercury was far below
zero, he dismounted, looped the reins over his arms, and walked a while.
For further precaution he took his blanket-roll and wrapped the two
blankets about his body, especially protecting his neck and ears.
He found that the walking, besides keeping him warmer, took all the
stiffness out of his muscles, and he continued on foot several miles.
He passed two brooks and a creek, all frozen over so solidly that the
horse passed on them without breaking the ice. It was an extremely
difficult task to make the animal try the ice, but after much delicate
coaxing and urging he always succeeded.
He saw two more cabins at the roadside, but he did not think of asking
hospitality at either. The night was now far advanced and he wished
to put many more miles between him and the Leffingwell home before he
sought rest again.
He mounted his horse once more, and increased his speed. Now the
reaction came after so much exertion and excitement. He began to feel
depressed. He was very young and he had no comrade. The loneliness of
the winter night in a country full of dangers was appalling. It seemed
to him, as his heart sank, that all things had conspired against him.
But the moment of despair was brief.
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