Edison Marshall

“ There is nothing so deceptive, however, as the size of an object seen at a distance in the wilderness. The degree of light, the clearness of the atmosphere, the nature of the background and surroundings all have their effect: often a snow-hare looks as big as a fox or a porcupine as large as a bear. Ned, sharing none of Knutsen's inner sense of unrest, yielding at last to the rapture of impending deliverance, raised his arms and shouted across the waters. ”

“ Her keen eyes had beheld what Knutsen's had missed—a dark form half in shadow against the edge of the scrub timber. For all that it was less than a quarter of a mile distant, both men had to strain to make it out. The explanation lay partly in the depths of the surrounding shadows; partly in the fact that the form was absolutely without motion. It is an undeniable fact that only moving figures are quickly discernible in the light and shadow of the wild places: thus the forest creatures find their refuge from their enemies simply by standing still and so remaining unobserved. ”

“ Ned turned to look at him in amazement, yet not knowing at what he was amazed. “It's a white man!”
“Isn't that all the better?” Ned demanded. “God knows I'm glad to see any kind of a man.”
After all, wasn't that good sense? Trapping, fox-farming, any one of a dozen undertakings took white men into these northern realms. Conquering his own ridiculous fears—fears that partook of the nature of actual forewarnings—Knutsen drove his oars with added force into the water. ”