Then he and Mike, with the rest of us, began to collect all the decayed branches to be found above the snow.  We soon bad enough wood for a fire; when Quambo striking a light, it quickly blazed up, and the flames exhibited the opossum making its way along one of the branches.  The dogs leaped about, and yelped loudly.  Quambo had thrown himself on the ground to watch the animal's proceedings; for the moment we had attempted to take aim, it had nimbly sprung round to the dark side, apparently watching us as eagerly as we were watching it.  Mike on this hurried off to a little distance and lifted his rifle.  He fired, and down came the opossum.