His cadaverous countenance, never breaking into a smile, was the oddest mask he had ever seen a human being wear.

He believed that if it once broke into a laugh it would not straighten back again without leaving a permanent crack.

And yet he liked the man, and the days passed swiftly.
It was the middle of May before they started up the Peace, three days after the fur barges had gone down the Athabasca.

David had never seen anything like Hatchett's big war canoe, roomy as a small ship, and light as a feather on the water.

Four powerful Dog Ribs went with them, making six paddles in all.