The inner ends of the log, where it was separated, were, like the coals before it, red and glowing, and he thought that if he could push them together they would blaze and give out warmth.
Then, suddenly, an idea flashed into Jamie's brain.

Those red ends of the log would burn the string that bound him, and he could free himself if he could only reach them and press the string against them.
His movements in turning over had not disturbed his captors.

They were still sleeping profoundly.

From the condition of the fire it was evident they had been sitting by it the greater part of the night and had replenished it at a late hour, else all the coals would have been dead.
Hank lay at the opposite end of the lean-to from Jamie, and Bill in the centre, with their feet toward the fire.

Jamie was lying at the back, his head near Bill's head and his feet toward the end of the lean-to farthest from Hank.
For several minutes Jamie studied the position of each and the possibilities of working his way out of the lean-to without awakening the men.