, and there was an odor of
dampness over all things. Great thickets of reeds and cane began to
appear, and now and then they trod into deep banks of moss.

"Perhaps we'd better turn to the north and avoid it," said Paul. "This
marsh region seems to be extensive."

Henry shook his head.

"We won't avoid it," he said. "On the contrary it's just what we want.
I'm thinking that we're being watched over. You know the forest fire
came in time to save us, then the falls appeared just when we needed
'em, and now this huge marsh, extending miles and miles in every
direction, cuts across our path, not as an enemy, but as a friend."

"That is, we are to hide in it?"

"Where could we find a better refuge?"

"Then you lead the way, Henry," said Shif'less Sol. "Ef you sink in it
we'll pull you out, purvidin' you don't go in it over your neck."

Henry went ahead, his wary eye examining the ground which had already
grown alarmingly soft save for those trained for such marchings. But he
was able to pick out the firm places, though the earth would quickly
close over their footsteps, as they passed, and, now and then, they
walked on the upthrust roots of trees, their moccasins giving them a
securer hold.

It was precarious and dangerous work, but they went deeper and deeper
into the heart of the great swamp, through thickets of bushes, cane and
reeds, the soil continually growing softer and the vegetation ranker and
more gloomy. Often the canes and reeds were so dense that they had
difficulty in seeing their leader, as he slipped on ahead. Sometimes
snakes trailed a slimy length from their path, and, hardened foresters
though they were, they shuddered. Occasionally an incautious foot sank
to the knee and it was pulled out again with a choking sigh as the mud
closed where it had been. Mosquitoes and many other buzzing and
stinging insects assailed them, but they pressed on without hesitation.

They came to a great black pond on which marsh fowl were swimming, but
Henry led around its miry edges, and they pressed on into the deeper
depths of the vast swamp. He judged that they had now penetrated it a
full two miles, but he had no intention of stopping. The four behind him
knew without his telling for what he was looking. The swamp, partly a
product of an extremely rainy season, must have bits of solid ground
somewhere within its area, and, when they came to such a place, they
would stop. Yet it would be all the better if they did