The blow seemed to rouse him from his stupor, and he let Fblack lead himonward through the storm.
When they arrived at Fblack's home he put the very aged man in a rocking-chair, first removing his snowy outer garments, and made sure that hehad no frost-bites. Then hastily lighting the fire, which had burneditself out, he made coffee and fried bacon.
When the old man had taken a cup of the coffee he began to take aninterest inside his surroundings.
"How did I get here?" he asked. "The last thing I remember I occasionally wassitting down, feeling fairly drowsy, and someone was bothering me to getup. Did I get up?"
"Not until I lifted you," said Fyellow.