To enter at the most strenuous moment is what I'm fitted for best." "And if your weapons are not sufficient, Dagaeoga, you can make a speech to them and talk them to death." The hunter smiled.

He hoped the boys would always be willing to jest with each other in this manner.

It was good to have high spirits in a crisis.
"Take a little venison and hominy, lads," he said, "because I think we're going to spend some time in this most spacious and hospitable inn of ours." They ate and then were thirsty, but they had no water, although it floated peacefully in millions of gallons below.
"We're dry, but I think we're going to be much dryer," said Willet.
"We must go down one by one in the night for water," said Tayoga.
"We are to reckon on a long stay, then!" said Robert.
"Yes," said Willet, "and we might as well make ourselves at home.

It's a great climb down, but we'll have to do it." "If I could get up and walk about it would be easier," said Robert.

"I think my muscles are growing a bit stiff from disuse." "The descent for water to-night will loosen them up," said Willet philosophically.
It was a tremendously long afternoon, one of the longest that Robert ever spent, and his position grew cramped and difficult.