But he reasoned with himself.

Why should one inured as he was to the forest and winter, armed, provisioned and equipped with the greatcoat, be troubled?
The answer to his question was a return of confidence in full tide, and resolving to be leisurely he looked about in the woods for his new camp.

What he wanted was an abundance of dead leaves out of which to make a nest.

Dead leaves were cold to the touch, but they would serve as a couch and a wall, shutting out further cold from the earth and from the outside air, and with the greatcoat between, he would be warm enough.

He would have nothing to fear except snow, and the skies gave no promise of that danger.
He found the leaves in a suitable hollow, and disposed them according to his plan, the whole making a comfortable place for a seasoned forester, and, while he ate his supper, he watched the sun set over the wilderness.