You could have Henry Ware tied to the stake, with fifty Shawnees holdin' him an' a thousand more standin' aroun', an' he'd get away, certain sure." Paul smiled.

It was an extravagant statement, but it restored his confidence.
"And meanwhile we are safe here, protected by ghosts," he said.

"Do you believe in ghosts, Jim ?" Jim Hart looked up at the black rim of the forest, and then edged a little closer to the fire.
"No, I don't," he said, "but sometimes I'm afeard of 'em, jest the same." Paul laughed.
"That's about the way I feel, too," he said, "but they're mighty handy just now, Jim.

They're keeping us safe on this island.

You won't deny that ?" "No, I won't," said Jim; "but at night time I'm goin' to leave 'em all by themselves in the trees over at their end uv of the island." "So am I," said Paul; and ten minutes later both were sound asleep..