olfax's boat the point of the arrow, and
those containing the five just behind. The river assumed a wholly
wilderness aspect. Spanish or French boats were few and they gave the
fleet a wide berth. Wild fowl swarmed once more, and they saw a bear on
the bank regarding them with a half wise, half comic countenance.

When the sun was low the boats containing the five were turned toward the
land. There they found a cove in which the boats could be safely tied and
a fine grove in which they could cook, and which would also furnish a good
place for those who wished to sleep ashore. Henry Ware and Shif'less Sol
scouted in the country about but saw no sign of anything that might
disturb.

All five slept on land wrapped in their blankets under the trees, and
early the next morning the journey was resumed. Progress could not be
rapid. They had to face the slow, heavy current of the Mississippi, and
now and then Henry and Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross walked through the
woods along the shore. They early established their reputations as the
best hunters and shots in the fleet, and they kept the men supplied with
game, bear, deer, and water fowl.

Several days passed in this manner, and Henry noticed that people were
even scarcer than they had been when they were coming down. Then they had
seen a few, now not more than two or three, and these avoided them.

"I don't believe they are really friendly to us," said Henry to Paul, "and
something to injure us may be on foot. I wish that we were beyond the last
French and Spanish settlement."

"We are too strong to be attacked," said Paul, "I don't think we have
anything to fear."

Henry shook his head somewhat doubtfully, but he said nothing more on the
subject at that time, and the fleet moved steadily on without event. Adam
Colfax exercised a stern discipline. There were wild men in his fleet,
adventurers, fellows who had floated about the world, but he was a match
for any of them, and those who did not respect his voice feared his ready
hand. But even these were animated by the great purpose and the thrill of
a two-thousand mile journey on unknown rivers through a vast wilderness.

Half of the men slept ashore every night. They would build great fires,
cook their suppers, and then sit around awhile talking. Some one would
sing, and others would play strange, old tunes on accordion or guitar.
Paul heard many a snatch of song in Spanish or French or Portuguese, and
the wilderness wou