Turning, he glanced at Alton, who had with apparent difficulty swallowed a little of the tea.

He lay amidst the blankets with eyes closed, breathing unevenly.
"Then you'll go on to Somasco, Tom, and send back the boys for us.
They may be in time," he said.
Okanagan strode softly to the entrance of the tent and drew the canvas back.

A moon hung red with frost in the pitiless heavens, the stars shone steelily, and it was evident that the cold of the icy North was laying its grip upon the valley.
"Harry wouldn't have much use for them when they came.

There's an ice fringe round the boulders now," he said.
Seaforth stared out into the glittering night, and groaned, for he knew what happened to wounded men unsheltered from the frost.

His voice was low and harsh as he asked, "Then what is to be done ?" Okanagan replaced the canvas before he answered quietly, "There's the canon." "Yes," said Seaforth.