It was merely the reflection from a bough above in the water below.

Yet it played tricks with him.
The shadow reappeared again and again, always close to the far bank, but there were many boughs also to reproduce themselves in the mirror of the lake.

He convinced himself that his eyes and his mind were having sport with him, and turning away, he made a little circle in the woods about their camp.

All was well.

He heard a swish overhead, but he knew that it was a night bird, a rustling came, and an ungainly form lumbered through a thicket, but it was a small black bear, and coming back to the hollow, he looked down at his comrades.
Tayoga and Willet slept well.