Tim went to the window in the front of the cabin. The frame had been made to hold a sash that must have been used before. A few flakes of paint still clung to the wood. Tim studied the frost that had formed inside the glass at the bottom. The crystals had made an intricate pattern, like ghostly seaweed frozen in place. The morning light made the crystals sparkle like crushed diamonds. Tim turned away and fetched his toothbrush. He and Red took a cup of water and a pinch of salt and went outside. After breakfast, when Tim looked at the window, the pattern of frost had disappeared, dissolved by the heat of the fire. The woman had mended their haversacks and finished the overcoats. They were great, heavy garments, the color of natural wool. “They’ll blend with the snow,” the woman said. She packed the haversacks with meat and cornmeal. They could make corncakes. She tied a long coil of blanket wool to each sack. After breakfast she got up from the table and went to a corner and brought out a can. “I almost forgot the cookin’ pot,” she said. “Can’t cook without a pot.” The men got up and put on the coats, admiring the woman’s handiwork while she helped them on with the haversacks. “I reckon the coats make the straps set different than before,” she said. She rolled the blankets and the poncho and secured them over the packs with lengths of thong. Tim said, “You’re spoiling us, ma’am.” “Old Smoky won’t spoil you none, that’s sure.” She looked them over and turned away. She put on her jacket and boots, took some mittens and a couple of mufflers from a backless old chair in a corner by the fire. “Take the mufflers,” she said. “Nate went larkin’ off when it was warm. He said the Yanks would fix him up with clothes.” She hung a pair of stoppered gourds around her shoulder and a pouch and a little sack of meal. She picked up her musket and took the pistol from the table. “Redbeard, you take first turn with the pistol.” Red said, “No, ma’am, you keep the Colt.” “I got the musket. It’s notched already and I’ll notch it agin if I must. Take the pistol. It’s loaded and there’s a flask of powder and some extra balls at the top of Slim’s pack.” Red put out his hand and took the revolver. “I decided to spend the winter in town.” She looked up at Tim. “It was what you said about bein’ too proud that changed my mind. Nate used to say I was foolish proud sometimes.” All three went outside, the woman carrying the musket. When the men turned to say good-bye she said, “I’m goin’ too.” Red said, “But, ma’am....” It was the first time they had seen her smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t foller you to camp. I jus’ want to set your feet in the right direction.” The ground rose slowly, dipped to a shallow valley, then climbed again to the ridge that stood against the sky like a shoulder of God. Tim said, “Go back if you want. You can point out the way from here.”