Afterwards it became more difficult for the denser forest began.

Fortunately very few creepers grew in this forest, but the flat tops of the huge trees meeting high above entirely shut out the sky, so that the gloom was great, in places almost that of night.
Oh! it was a melancholy journey as, filled with fears, we stole, a pallid throng, from trunk to trunk, searching them for the notches that indicated our road, and speaking only in whispers, lest the sound of our voices should attract the notice of the dreadful god.

After a mile or two of this we became aware that its notice was attracted despite our precautions, for at times we caught glimpses of some huge grey thing slipping along parallel to us between the boles of the trees.

Hans wanted me to try a shot, but I would not, knowing that the chances of hitting it were small indeed.

With only three charges, or rather three caps left, it was necessary to be saving.
We halted and held a consultation, as a result of which we decided that there was no more danger in going on than in standing still or attempting to return.