CHARNOCK MAKES PROGRESS Deep snow covered the hillside and the pines, with lower branches bent, rose in somber spires against the dazzling background.

The river had shrunk and the dark water rolled in angry turmoil between ice-glazed rocks.

Streaks of gray haze rose a foot or two into the nipping air, and the clash of shovels had a new, harsh ring.

It was nearly dinner time, and Festing noted that his men had not done much since breakfast as he walked down the beaten hollow in the middle of the track.

One could not tell how long the cold-snap would last, but it had already embarrassed him.
He stopped above an excavation where Charnock and another were cutting a hole in the frozen gravel.