Luckily many evergreens grew along the slope and using them as supports they toiled slowly upward.

Now and then, in spite of every precaution, they sent down heaps of snow that rumbled as it fell into the pass.

Every time one of these miniature avalanches fell Robert shivered.

His fancy, so vitally alive, pictured savages in the pass, attracted by the noise, and soon to fire at his helpless figure, outlined against the slope.
"Can't you go a little faster ?" he said to Willet, who was just ahead.
"It wouldn't be wise," replied the hunter.

"We mustn't risk a fall.
But I know why you want to hurry on, Robert.