All save forest rovers would have been appalled, and of these three one at least felt that the night was black and sinister.
Robert looked intently at the forest on either shore, rising now like solid black walls, but his eyes, unable to penetrate them, found nothing there.

Then the lightning flamed in the west, and for a moment the surface of the river was in a blaze.
"What do you think of it, Tayoga ?" asked Willet, anxiety showing in his tone, "Ought we to make a landing now ?" "Not yet," replied the Onondaga.

"The storm merely growls and threatens at present.

It will not strike for perhaps an hour." "But when it does strike it's going to hit a mighty blow unless all signs fail.

I've seen 'em gather before, and this is going to be a king of storms! Hear that thunder now! It doesn't growl any more, but goes off like the cracking of big cannon." "But it's still far in the west," persisted Tayoga, as the three bent over their paddles.
The forest, however, was groaning with the wind, and little waves rose on the river.