of breath and incapable of moving for a few moments。 In another； he was
reattaching the gascan； which was still half…full。 His head was thumping
horribly from the gasfumes （and in reaction to his battle with the hedge lion；
he supposed）； and he saw by the steaming hole in the snow beside him that he had
vomited； but he was unable to remember when。
The snowmobile； the engine still warm； fired immediately。 He twisted the
throttle unevenly and started forward with a series of neck…snapping jerks that
made his head ache even more fiercely。 At first the snowmobile wove drunkenly
from side to side； but by half…standing to get his face above the windscreen and
into the sharp； needling blast of the wind； he drove some of the stupor out of
himself。 He opened the throttle wider。
（Where are the rest of the hedge animals？）
He didn't know； but at least he wouldn't be caught unaware again。
The Overlook loomed in front of him； the lighted first…floor windows throwing
long yellow rectangles onto the snow。 The gate at the foot of the drive was
locked and he dismounted after a wary look around； praying he hadn't lost his
keys when he pulled his lighter out of his pocket 。。。 no； they were there。 He
picked through them in the bright light thrown by the snowmobile headlamp。 He
found the right one and unsnapped the padlock； letting it drop into the snow。 At
first he didn't think he was going to be able to move the gate anyway； he pawed
frantically at the snow surrounding it； disregarding the throbbing agony in his
head and the fear that one of the other lions might be creeping up behind him。
He managed to pull it a foot and a half away