As he progressed, the belt of trees widened and he kept to its upper margin.

He passed shady pockets half full of water, and, as he marked the location for possible future need, he reflected that there had been no rain since the winter snows.

From one of these shady holes a rabbit hopped out and squatted down, laying its ears flat.
Venters wanted fresh meat now more than when he had only himself to think of.

But it would not do to fire his rifle there.

So he broke off a cedar branch and threw it.