It was Baree who disturbed the silent tableau in the moonlight.

David was staring at the Missioner, held by the look of anguish that had settled so quickly and so strangely in his face, as if this bright night with its moon and stars had recalled to him a great sorrow, when they heard again the wolf-dog's howl out in the forest.

It was quite near.
David, with his eyes still on the other, saw Father Roland start, as if for an instant he had forgotten where he was.

The Missioner looked his way, and straightened his shoulders slowly, with a smile on his lips that was strained and wan as the smile of one worn out by an arduous toil.
"A splendid night," he repeated, and he raised a naked hand to his head, as if slowly brushing away something from before his eyes.

"It was a night like this--this--fifteen years ago...." He stopped.