Sometimes it caught under him and nearly lifted him from his feet.

But he clung against the slope of the hill, sometimes gripping hard with his hands.

So he worked his way to the right, the sound of the singing coming more and more frequently and louder and louder.

When he was almost upon the source of the music it ceased abruptly.
He waited a moment, but no sound came.

He struggled forward a few more yards and pitched down exhausted, panting.