He lay on his back in his blankets and looked our where the quartermoon lay cocked over the heel of the mountains. In the false blue dawn the Pleiades seemed to be rising up into the darkness above the world and dragging all the stars away, the great diamond of Orion and Cepella and the signature of Cassiopeia all rising up through the phosphorous dark like a sea-net. He lay a long time listening to the others breathing in their sleep while he contemplated the wildness about him, the wildness within.
In this passage, the protagonist lies on his back, enveloped in blankets, gazing at the quartermoon that hangs over the mountains. The dawn is described as a false blue, with the Pleiades constellation appearing to ascend into the dark sky, taking other stars with it. The imagery evokes a sense of transition from night to day, as familiar constellations like Orion and Cassiopeia emerge from the darkness. This celestial display underscores the vastness of the universe around him.
As he observes the beauty of the night sky, he listens to the rhythmic breathing of those sleeping nearby, highlighting a moment of stillness and introspection. This profound silence allows him to reflect not only on the wild and untamed nature surrounding him but also on the wildness within himself. This dual contemplation suggests a deep connection between the external world and his inner emotions, creating a rich tapestry of thought and feeling in this serene setting.