Having reached this wise conclusion he disappeared in the woods, seeking the second Indian, but before the two could come together the canoe had worked loose and was gone.
The three hidden in the bushes had watched the Indian as well as the dusk would permit and they read his mind.

They knew that when he turned away he had gone for help and they knew equally well that it was time for the full power of the current to take effect.
"Shove it off, Tayoga," whispered Willet, "and I think we'd better help along with some strokes of our own." "It is so," said Tayoga.
Now the wandering canoe was suddenly endowed with more life and purpose, or else the current grew much swifter.

After an uneasy stay with the boughs, it left them quickly, sailed out toward the middle of the stream, and floated at great speed between banks that were growing high again.

The friendly dark was also an increasing protection to the three who were steering it.

The heavy but rainless clouds continued to gather over them, and the canoe sped on at accelerated speed in an opaque atmosphere.