Bobby, on the other hand, concentrated his attention upon some practical method by which they might extricate themselves, losing sight, seemingly, of what the result might be should they fail to do so.
Bobby had doubtless inherited from his unknown ancestors the peculiar mental qualities that made him a leader.

From Abel he had absorbed the Eskimo's apparent contempt of danger.

Abel, like all Eskimos, was a fatalist.

If he was caught in a perilous position he believed that if the worst came it would be because it was to be.

If he escaped unharmed, so it was to be.