CHAPTER XXVI 

ON THE TRAIL. 

It was a long, wet sail up the coast with the wind ahead, and Carroll was content, when, on reaching Comox, Vane announced his intention of stopping there until the mail came in. Immediately after its arrival, Carroll went ashore, and came back empty-handed. 

"Nothing," he said. "Personally, I'm pleased. Nairn could have advised us here if there had been any striking developments since we left the last place." 

"I wasn't expecting to hear from him," Vane replied. 

Carroll read keen disappointment in his face, and was not surprised, although the absence of any message meant that it was safe for them to go on with their project, which should have afforded his companion satisfaction. 

They got off shortly afterwards and stood out to the northwards. 

Most of that day and the next two they drifted with the tides through narrowing waters, though now and then for a few hours they were wafted on by light and fickle winds. At length they crept into the inlet where they had landed on the previous voyage, and on the morning after their arrival set out on the march. There was on this occasion reason to expect more rigorous weather, and the load each carried was an almost crushing one. Where the trees were thinner, the ground was frozen hard, and even in the densest bush the undergrowth was white and stiff with frost, while, when they could see aloft through some chance opening, a forbidding grey sky hung over them.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What was the characters’ means of transport?
2. By what means were the characters traveling?
3. 
Q2:
1. Where did they arrive?
2. What was their first stop?
3. 
Q3:
1. Who decided to stop there?
2. Which character made the decision to stop there?
3. 
Q4:
1. Did Carroll purchase anything ashore?
2. What did Carroll come back with?
3. 
Q5:
1. What did Vane’s face show when he informed Carroll there was no news?
2. What could be read on Vane’s face when after announcing there was no news?
3. 
Q6:
1. According to Carroll, what could have afforded Vane a little comfort?
2. What did Carroll consider could provide comfort to Vane?
3. 
Q7:
1. Did they remain in the place a long time?
2. Did Vane and Carroll stay in the place for a long period of time?
3. 
Q8:
1. What was the next stop?
2. What was the next destination?
3. 
Q9:
1. Had Vane and Carroll visited the inlet before?
2. Had Vane and Carroll stopped at the inlet on a previous trip?
3. 
Q10:
1. Did the trip to the inlet last more than a day?
2. Did the voyage to the inlet exceed a day?
3. 
Q11:
1. Did Vane and carroll go out walking after they had landed?
2. Did the characters leave the boat once they had landed?
3. 
Q12:
1. What substance lay on the ground in some areas?
2. What formed a blanket on the ground in some places?
3. 
Q13:
1. How did the sky appear?
2. What was the appearance of the sky?
3. 
Q14:
1. Was it possible to see the sky at all times?
2. Was it always possible to see the sky?
3. 
