Thar is always work fur a tired man to do." Paul laughed at his tone of disgust.

The boy's spirits were high now; in fact, he was exuberant over the safe return of his comrades, and the entire enterprise appealed with steadily increasing force to him.

To hinder and prevent the Indian alliance until the white settlements were strong enough to defy all the tribes! This was in truth a deed worth while! It was foresight, statesmanship, a long step in the founding of a great state, and he should have a part in it! Already his vivid mind painted the picture of his comrades and himself triumphant.
"We must go to-night, if it is dark," said Henry.
"That's so," said Tom Ross emphatically.
The three had captured fresh supplies of ammunition while they were gone, and they replenished the powder-horns and bullet pouches of Paul and Jim Hart.

Moreover, they had taken blankets, of a fine, soft, light but warm make, probably bought by the Indians from European traders, and they gave one each to Paul and Jim Hart.
"It's getting too cold now," said Henry, "to sleep in our clothes only on the ground in the forest." They made up the blankets in tight little rolls, which they fastened on their backs, and Paul and Jim Hart put in a tanned deerskin with each of theirs.
"They're pow'ful light, an' they may come in mighty handy," said Long Jim.
The night fortunately was dark, as they had hoped, and about eleven o'clock they embarked in the canoe, paddling straight for the western shore.

Paul looked back with some regret at the island, which at times had been a snug little home.