Despite all his natural skill and experience his heart beat very fast when he came to the first.
He was about to achieve the great exploration upon which he had ventured so much.

Whether he would find anything at the end of the risk he ran, he was soon to see.
The hut, about seven feet square and as many feet in height, was built strongly of poles, with a small entrance closed by a clapboard door fastened stoutly on the outside with withes.

The hut was well in the shadow of tepees, and all were still at the feasting and merrymaking.
He cut the withes with two sweeps of his sharp hunting knife, opened the door, bent his head, stepped in and then closed the door behind him, in order that no Iroquois might see what had happened.
It was not wholly dark in the hut, as there were cracks between the poles, and bars of moonlight entered, falling upon a floor of bark.

They revealed also a figure lying full length on one side of the hut.

A great pulse of joy leaped up in Henry's throat, and with it was a deep pity, also.