A scholar and something of a mystic, he was marked by a wide toleration and liberality of thought.
"Who's going?
Shall we draw cuts for it ?" Scott resumed.
Thirlwell hesitated.

He felt tired, the shack was warm, and he heard the blizzard rage among the tossing pines; but he was curious about Driscoll and something urged him to go to the priest's help.
"I'll take first turn.

You can come along to-morrow if you're wanted," he said, and putting on his fur coat and cap, went out with the Indian.
When the door shut he let his companion take the lead, for his eyes were filled with water and snow.

He knew the bush, but imagined that nobody but an Indian could find the trail that night, and to lose it would mean death.

For some moments the icy gale stopped his breathing, and he stumbled forward, seeing nothing, until he struck a pine, which he seized and leaned against.