The wind was strong in this gap, which seemed like a natural channel to carry it southward; but the gap was narrow, it would soon be crossed.
From the desultory labor of such investigations Ralph returned again and again to the head of the great cleft and looked out into the distance of hills and dales.

The long coat he wore fell below his knees, and was strapped tightly with a girdle.

He wore a close-fitting cap, from beneath which his thick hair fell in short wavelets that were tossed by the wind.

His dog, Laddie, was with him.
Ralph took up a position within the shelter of a bowlder, and waited long, his eyes fixed on the fell six miles down the dale.
The procession emerged at length.

The chill and cheerless morning seemed at once to break into a spring brightness--there at least, if not here.