The small trees grew close together and in places the ground was covered with rotting trunks and branches.

Moreover the line he took led steadily upwards towards the break in the range.

It did not look very far off when they started, but dusk was falling and the packers were nearly exhausted when they threw down their loads at the bottom of the gap.

Thirlwell's back ached and the straps had galled his shoulders, but he noted with some surprise that Agatha did not look tired.

She dropped behind as they toiled up the last rough stony slope, but she helped to pitch camp.