The banks here were highland off to the left was a large swamp.

The five now checked speed and moved with great wariness.

They saw nothing, and they heard nothing, either, until they went forty or fifty yards farther.
Then a low droning sound came to their ears.

It was the voice of one yet far away, but they knew it.

It was the terrible chant of Queen Esther, in this moment the most ruthless of all the savages, and inflaming them continuously for the combat.
The five threw themselves flat on their faces, and waited a little.