But he paid no heed to it.

He was intent upon setting his feet in the steps; he found the rope awkward to handle and keep tight, his attention was absorbed in observing his proper distance.

Moreover, in front of him the stalwart figure of Garratt Skinner blocked his vision.

He went forward.

The snow on which he walked became hard ice, and instead of sloping upward ran ahead almost in a horizontal line.