He felt her presence.

The thought possessed him that somewhere down the river she was thinking of him, waiting, expecting him.

And in that same flash he made up his mind that he would not discard the boat, as he had planned; he would conceal himself by day, and float downstream by night, until at last he came to Marette Radisson.

And then he would tell her why he had come.

And after that-- He looked toward Crossen's place.