He towered beside them now.

His great mountain-twisted hands drew Joanne a step back, and strange gentleness was in his voice as he said: "You an' Johnny go back an' build a fire, Mis' Joanne.

I'll find the proof!" "Come," said Aldous, and he held out his hand again.
MacDonald hurried on ahead of them.

When they reached the camp he was gone, so that Joanne did not see the pick and shovel which he carried back.

She went into the tent and Aldous began building a fire where MacDonald's had been drowned out.