The trees were small and uniform in size.

Black stumps protruded, here and there, from the ground, showing work of the steel in time gone by.

Jones observed that the living trees were no larger in diameter than the stumps, and questioned Rea in regard to the difference in age.
"Cut twenty-five, mebbe fifty years ago," said the trapper.
"But the living trees are no bigger." "Trees an' things don't grow fast in the north land." They erected a fifteen-foot cabin round the stone chimney, roofed it with poles and branches of spruce and a layer of sand.

In digging near the fireplace Jones unearthed a rusty file and the head of a whisky keg, upon which was a sunken word in unintelligible letters.
"We've found the place," said Rea.

"Frank built a cabin here in 1819.
An' in 1833 Captain Back wintered here when he was in search of Captain Ross of the vessel Fury.