"The ice must be thick enough now to bear a war party." "Ef that war party didn't slip up an' break its neck," said Shif less Sol.
"All that meltin' stuff froze hard, an' it's like glass now.

Jest you try it, Paul." Paul went out in the hollow, and at his very first step his feet flew from under him and he landed on his back.

Everywhere it was the same way--ice like glass, that no one could tread on and yet feel secure.
"We have our drawbridge," said Paul, "but it doesn't seem to me to be very safe walking on it." Nevertheless, Henry and Ross slipped away two nights later, and were gone all the next day and another night.

When they returned they reported that the Miami village was pretty well snowed up, and that the hunters even were not out.

Braxton Wyatt was still there, and they believed he would soon be up to some sort of mischief--it was impossible for him to remain quiet and behave himself very long.
"Meanwhile what are we to do ?" asked Paul.
"Just stay quiet," said Henry.