“Ain’t you noticed nothin’, Paul?” he asked.

“I’ve noticed a lot of river, and a fine little fleet on it.”

“But somethin’ better than that.  Look at the trees, Paul, all along on either side, an’ not a house in sight, an’ not a human bein’ ’cept ourselves, not a single trail uv smoke to dirty the sky.  Nothin’ but the woods ez God made ’em.  I tell you, Paul, it’s pow’ful fine jest to live!”

Paul shared his enthusiasm, but his feelings went further.  Beyond a doubt they had been successful in their great journey to the south, but another and large purpose was yet left.  Their task had brought them into contact with the world outside, and Paul devoutly hoped that the supply train would reach Fort Pitt in time.

The day went smoothly on.  The fleet kept its formation something, like that of an arrow, with Adam Colfax’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.