He sprang to his feet, and stood a moment or two shivering a little as he looked about him.

It was very cold, and the little open space where the tent stood was flooded with silvery light, though here and there the shadows of the firs fell athwart it black as ink and sharp as a fretwork cut in ebony.

Then he saw Saunders close beside him, fumbling with the magazine of his repeating-rifle.
"Not a blame ca'tridge left! You'd better take the ax along," he said.
"The ax ?" queried Devine, who was a little startled as well as puzzled.
Saunders pointed to the shadowy bush.
"Sure," he said.

"It's jumpers!" That was enough for Devine.

He flashed a glance at his companion.
Saunders possessed the huckster's heart, and took pleasure in selling indifferent pork and third-grade flour at the highest prices he could possibly extort.