His excitement was real, and he counterfeited a nervousness and jerkiness that appeared real also.

One more wild stroke, and they shot farther out.

Jumonville angrily ordered them to return, but Robert seemed to be possessed by a spell of awkwardness, and Tayoga craftily aided him.
"Come back!" roared Jumonville.
Robert and Tayoga were fifteen yards away, and the great blanket of fog was enclosing them.
"Now! Now, Dagaeoga!" whispered the Onondaga tensely.

"We paddle with all our might straight toward the south!" Two paddles wielded by skillful and powerful arms flashed in the water, and the canoe sped on its way.

A shout of anger rose behind them, and Robert distinctly heard Jumonville say in French: "After them! After them! It was the messengers who stole by! They have tricked us!" Those words were sweet in the ears of young Lennox.