He was confident now, full of his old audacity, yet awake to every trick of plainscraft.
The girl's head rested against his shoulder, and he bent his cheek to hers, feeling its warmth.

The touch of his unshaven beard pricked her into semi-consciousness, and she spoke so loud that it gave him a thrill of apprehension.

He dared not run in the darkness for fear of stumbling, yet moved with greater swiftness, until the depression ended at the river.

Here, under the protection of the bank, Hamlin put down his burden and stood erect, stretching his strained muscles and staring back into the dark.
What now?
Which way should they turn?
He had accomplished all he had planned for himself back there in the coach, but now he became aware of other problems awaiting solution.

In less than an hour it would be daylight; he almost imagined it was lighter already over yonder in the east.