pressed on upward,
without slackening his pace, for he knew there was no time to be lost.

It was exhausting toil, and trying to the man who, until he entered
that grim country, had undergone no physical training and had seldom
tried his muscles; being left to shift for himself at an unusually
early age had prevented his even playing outdoor games. His career had
been a humble one, but it had taught him self-reliance, and when he was
thrown into the company of men brought up in a higher station he was
not surprised that they accepted him as an equal and a comrade. There
was, however, nothing assertive in the man; he knew his powers and
their limitations. Now he clearly recognized that he had undertaken a
big thing; but the need was urgent, and he meant to see it through. He
was of essentially practical temperament, a man of action, and it was
necessary that he should keep up with his Indian guide as long as
possible. Therefore, he braced himself for the arduous task.

In the afternoon they reached a tableland where traveling was slightly
easier; but when they camped without a fire among the rocks, one of
Harding's feet was bleeding, and he was very weary. Walking was
painful for the first hour after they started again at dawn, but after
walking a while his galled foot troubled him less, and he doggedly
followed the Indian up and down deep ravines and over rough stony
slopes. Then they reached stunted timber: thickly massed, tangled
pines, with many dead trees among them, a number which had fallen,
barring the way. The Indian seemed tireless; Harding could imagine his
muscles having been toughened into something different from ordinary
flesh and blood. He was feeling great distress; but for the present
there was only one thing for him to do, and that was to march. He saw
it clearly with his shrewd sense; and though his worn-out body
revolted, his resolution did not flinch.

They forced a way through thickets, they skirted precipitous rocks,
passed clusters of ragged pines, and plunged down ravines. In the
afternoon the sun was hot, and when it got low a cold wind buffeted
them as they crossed the height of land. Harding's side ached, and his
feet were bleeding, but the march went on. Just before dark there
opened up before them a wide valley, fading into the blue distance,
with water shining in its midst and gray blurs of willows here and
there. However, it faded swiftly, and Harding found himself limping