At last he sprang to his feet with a hopeless cry and stood for a few moments undecided.

Should he wait until night with the hope of attracting the attention of Neil and joining him in his canoe or should he hasten in the direction of St.James?
In the darkness he might miss Neil, unless he kept up a constant shouting, which would probably bring the Mormons down upon him; if he went to St.James there was a possibility of reaching Casey.

He still had faith in Obadiah and he was sure that the old man would help him to reach his ship; he might even assist him in his scheme of getting Marion from the island.
He would go to the councilor's.

Having once decided, Nathaniel turned in the direction of the town, avoiding the use of the path which he and Obadiah had taken, but following in the forest near enough to use it as a guide.

He was confident that Arbor Croche and his sheriffs were confining their man-hunt to the swamp, but in spite of this belief he exercised extreme caution, stopping to listen now and then, with one hand always near his pistol.