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Chapter 14
Hethenenteredthewater,andfornearanhourtheytravelledinthebedofthebrook,leavingnotrail.Themoonhadalreadysunkintoanimmensepileofblackclouds,whichlayimpendingabovethewesternhorizon,whentheyissuedfromthelowanddeviouswater-coursetoriseagaintothelightandlevelofthesandybutwoodedplain.Herethescoutseemedtobeoncemoreathome,forheheldonhiswaywiththecertaintyanddiligenceofamanwhomovedinthesecurityofhisownknowledge.Thepathsoonbecamemoreuneven,andthetravellerscouldplainlyperceivethatthemountainsdrewnighertothemoneachhand,andthattheywere,intruth,aboutenteringoneoftheirgorges.Suddenly,Hawkeyemadeapause,andwaitinguntilhewasjoinedbythewholeparty,hespoke,thoughintonessolowandcautious,thattheyaddedtothesolemnityofhiswords,inthequietanddarknessoftheplace.
"Itiseasytoknowthepathways,andtofindthelicksandwater-coursesofthewilderness,"hesaid;"butwhothatsawthisspotcouldventuretosay,thatamightyarmywasatrestamongyondersilenttreesandbarrenmountains?"
"WearethenatnogreatdistancefromWilliamHenry?"saidHeyward,advancingnighertothescout.
"Itisyetalongandwearypath,andwhenandwheretostrikeit,isnowourgreatestdifficulty.
