But they looked at the wall of the forest, and it was a blank.

They were shut away from all things as completely as Crusoe on his island.

Nor would they hear a single whisper until Tayoga came back--if he came back.
On the second day after the Onondaga's departure the air softened, but became darker.

The glittering white of the forest assumed a more somber tinge, clouds marched up in solemn procession from the southwest, and mobilized in the center of the heavens, a wind, touched with damp, blew.

Robert knew very well what the elements portended and again he was sorry for Tayoga, but as before, after the first few moments of discouragement his courage leaped up higher than ever.