One morning, Crockett, taking the young man Henry and his son with him, set out to visit Mr.Owen, his nearest neighbor.

He hobbled his horse, leaving him to graze until he got back.
They followed along the banks of the river, through the forest, until they reached a point nearly opposite Owen's cabin.

By crossing the stream there, and following up the western bank they would be sure to find his hut.

There was no boat, and the stream must be swum or forded.
Recent rains had caused it to overflow its banks and spread widely over the marshy bottoms and low country near by.

The water was icy cold.