The spruces were losing shape and getting blacker, though through openings here and there a faint line of smoky red glowed on the horizon.

A cold wind wailed among the branches, and the thud of the tired horses' feet rang dully among the shadowy trunks.

Reaching a strip of higher ground, the men pitched camp and turned out the hobbled horses to graze among the swamp grass that lined a muskeg.

After supper they sat beside their fire in silence for a while; and then Benson took his pipe from his mouth.
"I've had enough of this; and I'm only a drag on you," he said.

"Give me grub enough to see me through, and I'll start back for the settlement the first thing in the morning." "Don't be a fool!" Blake replied sharply.