They crossed the stretch of ice that Thirlwell could see, and when the trees shut them out he forgot to gather wood and lighted his pipe.
The hazy figures had an unsubstantial, ghostly look; he might have imagined he had not really seen them had he not heard the leader's shout.

Then it was hard to see why they were traveling in the dark, since they must leave the ice soon and the trail was rough.

He thought their leader knew the country, because their coming down the lake indicated that they had taken a short but difficult line from the settlements.

But one would expect a man who knew the country to make for and stop at the mine, which was not far off.

Thirlwell hoped to reach it next day, and wondered whether the others meant to pass it at night.