There was nothing to indicate that the others had heard him, and a few minutes later he stopped again at the edge of a gap where a fire had run through the scrub.

He could see the men, though he could not distinguish their faces.

One seemed to be looking in his direction, and Thirlwell felt his heart beat but did not move.

He had a background of dark bushes and it was wiser to keep still than drop into the snow.
Presently the man stooped, as if to pick up something, and Thirlwell, stealing forward, sank down among the willows.

They rustled as he crept between their stems, but the fire was snapping furiously and after he had gone a few yards he thought he was near enough.