Had a voice replied, he felt sure he could have heard it.

But none did.
Up the steep ravine he went, finding the going easier than through the spongy swamps below.

About half-way up, just where the juniors ten hours ago had decided to turn back, as he looked up, he saw what seemed like clear sky through a frame in the mist.

Was it clearing after all?
Yes.

The higher he got the more the mist broke up into fleeting clouds, which swept aside every few moments and let in a dim glimmer of moonlight on the scene.
At the top of the ravine he shouted again; but all was still.