 but somehow kept their course, and they headed towards a beacon flickering faintly in the night. Through the bawling, howling, swirling icy hell, they traveled through the night, and the welcome sheltered safety of a barn and cabin warm, for the hoarse and half-froze boy could start to thaw out from the storm. His pa was watching for him, and he met him at the gate. Your ma was getting worried, son, as he was getting kind of late. Got some beef stew simmering on the stove.