For the most part, they were thin and the trees very small, while the country between them seemed to be covered with slabs of rocks and stones.

It was utterly empty, with no sign of life in it, but Blake continued his search until the light began to fail, when he stopped to look about.
No snow had fallen, but the sky was very thick and a stinging wind had risen.

He would have trouble in reaching camp if his trail got drifted up.

He knew that he should have turned back earlier; but there was what seemed to be an extensive woods in front, and he could not face the thought of returning empty-handed to his half-starved companions.
The gray trees were not far away; he might reach them and make a mile or two on the back trail before dark, though he was weary and hunger had given him a distressing pain in his left side.
Quickening his pace, he neared the bluff.

It looked very black and shadowy against the snow, which now was fading to a curious, lifeless gray.