The thunder kept up an unceasing and threatening murmur on the far horizon, and the lightning flared fitfully now and then, but they were still unseen, and Henry hoped that they had now passed the ring of savages in the forest and the dusk.
Paul had dropped back from Henry's side, but was following closely behind him.

He was deeply impressed by a situation so extraordinary for one of his type.

The thunder, the lightning, the darkness and the danger contained for him all the elements of awe and mystery.
"I think we've shaken them off," said Henry presently, "and unless the lightning shows us to some stray member of the band they can't pick up our trail again before morning." Paul was grateful for the assurance, and he noticed, too, that the danger of the lightning's revelation was decreasing, as the flashes were becoming less frequent and vivid.

His breathing now grew easier and his spirits rose.

Much of the gloom departed from the forest.