"When they are near the fire, the light shines upon their faces." As they rode on, it became gradually more and more evident that Jonas was right.

The forms of the skaters, as they stood before the fire, or came wheeling up to it, became more and more distinct, and, in fact, the ringing sound of the skates soon became audible.

The horse, in the mean time, went on, with great speed, directly towards the fire.

When they arrived near the fire, the skaters came around them in great numbers, wondering who could have come.

Jonas asked them where they got the wood to build their fire.
"All along the shore," said a large boy, with a long stick in his hand.
"Let's go and get some more, boys," he added, "and brighten up our fire." So saying, he wheeled round and skated away, the whole crowd of skaters, small and great, following him at full speed.