Relief and freedom were to be found in the struggle with the elements and he always went back to shore refreshed and stronger of spirit and flesh.

He also had a feeling that Tayoga might come by way of the lake, and when he was with the little Indian fleet he invariably watched the watery horizon for a lone canoe, but he never saw any.
The absence of news from his friends, and from the world to which they belonged, was the most terrible burden of all.

If the Indians had news they told him none.

He seemed to have vanished completely.

But, however numerous may have been his moments of despondency, he was not made of the stuff that yields.