The pines roared about the shack and the lamp flickered in the draughts, but the wind was falling and between the gusts one could hear the river.

Drift-ice churned in the rapid and broke with jarring crashes upon the rocks.

Once or twice Thirlwell thought the sound disturbed Driscoll, because he moved and muttered brokenly.

Thirlwell, however, could not hear what he said, and getting drowsy with the dry warmth of the stove, struggled to keep awake.

He was not sure that he altogether succeeded, for now and then his head fell forward and he roused himself with a jerk, but did not think he really went to sleep.