He and Josey sat upon the sled, talking by the way,--the storm continuing without much change.

The snow gradually increased in depth, but the oxen walked along without difficulty through it.

Sometimes they came to a drift where the snow was so deep as to come in a little upon the bars, where the boys were sitting; but in general the sled runners glided along through it very smoothly.
The woods appeared still more somber and solitary than they had done before.

The new snow was deeper, and it was falling faster; and, besides, as it was now nearly sundown, there was only a gloomy sort of twilight, under the trees.

Jonas and Josey loaded the sled as fast as they could.