He had nothing to do but to return to New York and his friends, and that was just detail.
He swung along through the bushes, forgetting the burden of his weapons and his pack of food.

In truth, he swaggered a bit, but it was a gay and gallant swagger, and it became him.

He walked for some distance, feeling that he had been changed from a seaman into a warrior, and then from a warrior into an explorer, which was his present character.

But he did not see at present the variety and majesty that all explorers wish to find.

The country continued low, the same alternation of sand and salt marsh, although the bushes were increasing in size, and they were interspersed here and there with trees of some height.
Reaching the crest of a low hill he took his last look backward, and was barely able to see the upper works of the stranded schooner.