"
The boat swung close to the western shore, which was overhung throughout
by heavy forests, and then dropped silently down until it came within two
miles of the Spanish camp. There, in a particularly dark cove, they tied
up to a tree, and drew mighty breaths of relief. Both Henry and Paul felt
an intense gladness. Despite all the dangers and hardships through which
they had gone, they were but boys.
CHAPTER VI
BATTLE AND STORM
It was yet dark, in fact much darker than it had been just after the fog
lifted, and the dawn was a full three hours away. Although the flooded
area of forest on the western shore was much less than on the eastern, it
was sufficient to furnish ample concealment for the boat, and, when they
tied up amid dense foliage, they could not see the main stream behind
them.
Jim Hart laid down his oars, stood up, and carefully cracked his joints.
"I _am_ tired," he said. "Never wuz I so tired afore in my life."
"But, Jim," said Shif'less Sol, "Think what a pow'ful lively naval battle
you hev been through. Ef you ever git a wife--which I doubt, 'cause you
ain't beautiful, Jim--you kin tell her how once you rowed right over a
great Injun warship. Mebbe, Jim, she'll believe all them fancy details
you'll stick on to it.
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