"We think our presence is needed in these parts." "I'm willing," said Paul, wishing to have assurances, "but what about the powder for Marlowe, and what will our people at Wareville think has become of us ?" "As long as we can keep back these tribes, Marlowe will not need the powder, and some of the buffalo hunters have taken word to Wareville that we have come into the North." "I purpose," said Shif'less Sol, "that so long ez we're goin' to stay in these parts that we go back to the haunted islan' in the lake.

It's in the heart o' the Injun country, but it's the safest spot within five hundred miles o' us." "I think with Sol," said Henry.

"We can prepare there for winter quarters.
In fact, we've got a hut already." "An' I won't have nothin' to do," said the shiftless one, "but lay aroun' an' hev Jim Hart cook fur me." "You'll hev to be runnin' through the frozen woods all the time fur game fur me to cook, that's what you'll hev to do, Sol Hyde," retorted Jim Hart.
The idea of going into winter quarters on the island appealed to Paul.

He had grown attached to the little hollow in which he and Jim Hart had built the hut, and he thought they could be very snug and warm.

So he favored Sol's proposition with ardor, and about twilight they brought the hidden canoe again from the bushes, paddling boldly across the lake for the island.