He rapidly reloaded his rifle, and fastened the pistols at his belt.

Then he looked through the bushes at the river.

The two canoemen, water running from them in streams, were on the other bank, though a little farther down the stream.

He believed that they were no longer silent.

He fondly imagined that they were cursing hard, if not loud.
His relief was so great that, forgetting his own bedraggled condition, he laughed.