"I've an idee that we won't find Tom, an' I want to tell you, Henry, this thing is gittin' on my nerves." It was certainly on Henry's, also, but without reply he led the way into the bushes, and they sought long and well for Silent Tom, keeping at the same time a thorough watch for any danger that might molest themselves.
But no danger showed, nor did they find Tom or his trail.

He, too, had vanished into nothingness, and Henry and Sol, despite their mental strength, felt cold shivers.

They came back at last, far toward morning, to the bank of the creek.

It was here as elsewhere a narrow but deep stream flowing between banks so densely wooded that they were almost like walls.
"It will be daylight soon," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think we'd better lay low in thicket an' watch.

It looks ez ef we couldn't find anything, so we'd better wait an' see what will find us." "It looks like the best plan to me," said Henry, "but I think we might first hunt a while on the other side of the creek.