The entrance of the cave was protected against the cold by a heavy
blanket hung over a pole anchored at either end in the rocky side at
the top. Pushing aside this wilderness portiere, the four
investigators stepped in, lighting their way with two or three
electric flash lights.
They were relieved to discover that no damage had been done to the
cave or to the stove set up within. After satisfying themselves on
this score they proceeded to replenish the fire, by putting in several
cuts of spruce, a good supply of which had been provided by Ernie's
brother. The cave was still warm and had been well dried out by the
steady fire kept up by Paul for two or three days.
The entire patrol now reassembled and mapped out a plan for completing
their day's work. It was decided that Ernie should return in the
automobile to his home a mile and a half away and bring the mattresses
and a supply of food that was being prepared for them at the house,
while the others took upon themselves the task of cutting a supply of
brushwood to lay on the floor of the cave as a kind of spring support
for the mattresses. Accordingly Ernie got into the machine and drove
away, while the other boys got busy with the task assigned to them.
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