They waded up it nearly a mile until they came to stony ground, when they left the brook and walked on the outcrop or detached stones a considerable distance, passing at last through dense thickets into a tiny open space.

They put the canoe down in the center of the opening, which was circular, and stretched their own bodies on the grass close to the bushes, through which they could see without being seen.
"That trail is well hidden," said Willet, "or rather it's no trail at all.

It's just about as much trace as a bird leaves, flying through the air." "Do you know where we are, Dave ?" asked Robert.
"We're not so far from the edge of the wilderness.

Before long the land will begin to slope down toward the St.Lawrence.But it's all wild enough.

The French settlements themselves don't go very far back from the big river.