By lighting an occasional match Philip continued to keep a record of direction and time.

It was three o'clock, and they were still traveling west, when to his surprise they struck a small patch of timber.

The clump of stunted and wind-snarled spruce covered no more than half an acre, but it was conclusive evidence they were again approaching a timber-line.
From the patch of spruce Bram struck due north, and for another hour their trail was over the white Barren.

Soon after this they came to a fringe of scattered timber which grew steadily heavier and deeper as they entered into it.

They must have penetrated eight or ten miles into the forest before the dawn came.