Dawn came, intense and brilliant.
He had hoped the day would be cloudy, and he would have welcomed rain, despite its discomfort, but the sun was in its greatest splendor, and the air was absolutely translucent.

The lake and the mountains sprang out, sharp and clear.

Far to the south the hunter saw a smudge upon the water which he knew to be Indian canoes.

They were miles away, but it was evident that the French and Indians still held the lake, and there was no escape for the three by water.

There had been some idea in Willet's mind of returning along the foot of the cliffs to their own little boat, but the brilliant day and the Indian presence compelled him to put it away.
The sun, huge, red and scintillating, swung clear of the mighty mountains, and the waters that had been silver in the first morning light turned to burning gold.