Paul, who had suffered the most, had, on the other hand, made the quickest recovery, and their present situation, so fortunate in contrast with their threatened fate a few days before, made a great appeal to his imagination.

The door was allowed to stand open six inches, and through the crevice he watched the rain pattering on the dark earth.

He felt an immense sense of security and comfort.

Paul was hopeful by nature and full of courage, but when he lay bound and alone in a hut in the Iroquois camp it seemed to him that no chance was left.

The comrades had been kept separate, and he had supposed the others to be dead.