"All led to the north," he said, "and they're well ahead of us. There's
no reason why we can't follow. We're three, used to the wilderness,
armed well and able to take care of ourselves. And I take it the night
will be dark, which ought to help us."
The Onondaga looked up at the skies, which were of a salmon color, and
shook his head a little.
"What's the matter?" asked Robert.
"The night will bring much darkness," he replied, "but it will bring
something else with it--wind, rain."
"You may be right, Tayoga, but we must be moving, just the same," said
Willet.
At dusk they were again afloat on the river and, all three using the
paddles, they sent the canoe forward with great speed. But it soon
became apparent that Tayoga's prediction would be justified. Clouds
trailed up from the southwest and obscured all the heavens. A wind arose
and it was heavy and damp upon their faces. The water seemed black as
ink. Low thunder far away began to mutter. The wilderness became uncanny
and lonely. All save forest rovers would have been appalled, and of
these three one at least felt that the night was black and sinister.
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