In the first place, in fear of a case of illness he did not like to leave the island while its benefactress was away; and, secondly, it was reported that all visitors from The Cloud were ruthlessly shut out from the houses upon the other islands, because of the unreasoning terror which had grown concerning the disease.

Whether he, who carried money in his pocket, would be shut out from these neighbouring islands also, he did not care to inquire.

He felt too angry with the way the inhabitants behaved to have any dealings with them.
The only means of amusement that remained to Caius in these days were his horse and a gun that O'Shea lent him.

With his lunch in his pocket, he rode upon the ice as far as he might go and return the same day.

He followed the roads that led by the shores of the other islands; or, where the wind had swept all depth of snow from the ice, he took a path according to his own fancy on the untrodden whiteness.
Colonies of Arctic gulls harboured on the island, and the herring gulls remained through the winter; these, where he could get near their rocks upon the ice, he at first took delight in shooting; but he soon lost the zest for this sport, for the birds gave themselves to his gun too easily.