The search continues... until each plane in turn has to head back because of low fuel. They know they're fairly close, but...



     

     
     


Around the time the search is ended for the day, a blizzard hits the camp. One of the men foolishly decides he's had enough and goes off with the rifle into the storm, hoping to shoot a rabbit or something. It's a very bad plan, and by the time the others realize he's slipped away, they have no idea where he is. They shout into the gale, but get no reply.
     


He's not that far away, but the driving snow and the cold have him bewildered in his current condition. soon he comes across his own tracks in the snow. he can't hear his crewmates calling him...
     


He finally collapses, too weak to speak, right by the airplane. The rest have already withrawn to the shelter, and won't find him until morning.
     



Next: Part 8