I had my rifle , and guessed I could hobble up to use it if need be ; so we settled back to wait without much hope of help , everything being in a muddle . And wait we did till morning , for that ambulance did not come back till next day , when most of us were past needing it . `` I 'll never forget that night . I dream it all over again as plain as if it was real . Snow , cold , darkness , hunger , thirst , pain , and all round us cries and cursing growing less and less , till at last only the wind went moaning over that meadow . It was awful ! so lonesome , helpless , and seemingly God-forsaken . Hour after hour we lay there side by side under one coat , waiting to be saved or die , for the wind grew strong and we grew weak . '' Saul drew a long breath , and held his hands to the fire as if he felt again the sharp suffering of that night . `` And the man ? '' asked Emily , softly , as if reluctant to break the silence . `` He was a man ! In times like that men talk like brothers and show what they are . Lying there , slowly freezing , Joe Cummings told me about his wife and babies , his old folks waiting for him , all depending on him , yet all ready to give him up when he was needed . A plain man , but honest and true , and loving as a woman ; I soon saw that as he went on talking , half to me and half to himself , for sometimes he wandered a little toward the end . I 've read books , heard sermons , and seen good folks , but nothing ever came so close or did me so much good as seeing this man die . He had one chance and gave it cheerfully . He longed for those he loved , and let 'em go with a good-by they could n't hear . He suffered all the pains we most shrink from without a murmur , and kept my heart warm while his own was growing cold . It 's no use trying to tell that part of it ; but I heard prayers that night that meant something , and I saw how faith could hold a soul up when everything was gone but God . ''
XXXXX stopped there with a sudden huskiness in his deep voice , and when he went on it was in the tone of one who speaks of a dear friend .
Cummings Emily Saul fire good-by half hour morning muddle night