Костер

           Andallthewhilethedogsatandwatchedhim,acertainyearningwistfulnessinitseyes,foritlookeduponhimasthefire-provider,andthefirewasslowincoming. 

           Whenallwasready,themanreachedinhispocketforasecondpieceofbirch-bark. Heknewthebarkwasthere,and,thoughhecouldnotfeelitwithhisfingers,hecouldhearitscrisprustlingashefumbledforit. Tryashewould,hecouldnotclutchholdofit. Andallthetime,inhisconsciousness,wastheknowledgethateachinstanthisfeetwerefreezing. Thisthoughttendedtoputhiminapanic,buthefoughtagainstitandkeptcalm. Hepulledonhismittenswithhisteeth,andthreshedhisarmsbackandforth,beatinghishandswithallhismightagainsthissides.Hedidthissittingdown,andhestooduptodoit;andallthewhilethedogsatinthesnow,itswolf-brushofatailcurledaroundwarmlyoveritsforefeet,itssharpwolf-earsprickedforwardintentlyasitwatchedtheman. Andthemanashebeatandthreshedwithhisarmsandhands,feltagreatsurgeofenvyasheregardedthecreaturethatwaswarmandsecureinitsnaturalcovering. 

           Afteratimehewasawareofthefirstfar-awaysignalsofsensationinhisbeatenfingers. Thefainttinglinggrewstrongertillitevolvedintoastingingachethatwasexcruciating,butwhichthemanhailedwithsatisfaction. Hestrippedthemittenfromhisrighthandandfetchedforththebirch-bark. Theexposedfingerswerequicklygoingnumbagain. Nexthebroughtouthisbunchofsulphurmatches.