But this experience with Jean Croisset--it was enough to madden him, now that he was alone, to think about it.

Why had _he_ not taken advantage of Jean, as Jackpine and the Frenchman had taken advantage of him?
He saw now what he might have done.

Somewhere, not very far back, the sledge carrying Meleese and Jackpine had turned into the unknown.

They two were alone.

Why had he not made Croisset a prisoner, instead of allowing himself to be caged up like a weakling?
He swore aloud as there dawned on him more and more a realization of the opportunity he had lost.