The heavens were high and cold, and the night wind had a message from the north.

But it was warm beneath the gum tree where the fire leaped and roared.

In the light the nearer leaves of the surrounding trees showed in strong relief; beyond that copper fretwork all was blackness.

Out of the dark came the breathing of the horses, fastened near the tobacco-cask, the croaking of frogs in a marshy place, and all the stealthy, indefinable stir of the forest at night.

At times the wind brought a swirl of dead leaves across the ring of light, an owl hooted, or one of the sleeping dogs stirred and raised his head, then sank to dreams again.