The first leader was overconfident and the second antagonistic. (overconfident: cocksure, overassured, presumptuous; antagonistic: hostile, adversarial, opposing) An old antipathy made each man's route look foolish to the other. (antipathy: aversion, dislike, antagonism) Their combative speeches did little for morale. (combative: belligerent, argumentative, contentious; morale: spirit, confidence, enthusiasm) The guide asked them to heed a third voice, that of a ten-year-old who had drawn the stream on a biscuit wrapper. (heed: attend to, mind, listen to)
Both routes crossed it. The prevailing wind had blown snow over the upper crossing. (prevailing: prevalent, predominant, dominant) A thaw could make the lower one unsafe. Neither leader could render a reliable account of the stream above them. (render: provide, supply, furnish) Would it be advisable to wait until morning? (advisable: prudent, wise, sensible) A blithe assurance that conditions never changed would not alter the stream. (blithe: carefree, lighthearted, unconcerned; assurance: promise, pledge, guarantee)
They camped. By dawn a fallen branch revealed fast water under a thin lid of snow. The first leader thanked the second for waiting. The second admitted he had wanted to go on just as badly. For once neither took credit for the biscuit wrapper.