And it was tragic.
At last he came to a shining pool between two tufted ridges, and in this velvety hollow the twilight was gathering like a shadow in a cup.

A little creek ran out of the pool, and here Alan gathered soft grass and spread out his blankets.

A great stillness drew in about him, broken only by the old squaws and the loons.

At eleven o'clock he could still see clearly the sleeping water-fowl on the surface of the pool.

But the stars were appearing.