Both bow and arrows were far superior to those used by the hunters and soldiery, and he dreaded losing them.

There was his crossbow, but it was weak, and intended for killing only small game, as birds, and at short range.

He could make no display with that.

Sword he had none for defence; there remained only his boar spear, and with this he resolved to be content, trusting to obtain the loan of a bow when the time came to display his skill, and that fortune would enable him to triumph with an inferior weapon.
After resting awhile and stretching his limbs, cramped in the canoe, he set out (carrying his boar-spear only) along the shore, for the thick growth of the firs would not let him penetrate in the direction he had seen the tower.

He had to force his way through the reeds and flags and brushwood, which flourished between the firs and the water's edge.