Nature, Paul thought, had often come to their assistance, watching over them, as it were, and helping them when they were weakest.
And, in truth, what they saw that morning was enough to inspire a bold young wilderness rover.
The river turned from yellow to a lighter tint in the brilliant sunlight.
Little waves raised by the wind ran across the slowly-flowing current.

As far as they could see the stream extended to eastward, carried by the flood deep into the forest.

The air was crisp, with the sparkle of spring, and all the adventurers rejoiced.
Now and then great flocks of wild fowl, ducks and geese, flew over the river, and they were so little used to man that more than once they passed close to the boat.
"The Spaniards are too far away to hear," said Henry, "and the next time any wild ducks come near I'm going to try one of these fowling pieces.

We need fresh ducks, anyway." He took out a fowling piece, loaded it carefully with the powder and shot that the locker furnished in abundance and waited his time.

By and by a flock of wild ducks flew near and Henry fired into the midst of them.
Three lay floating on the water after the shot, and when they took them in Long Jim Hart, a master on all such subjects, pronounced them to be of a highly edible variety.
Paul, meanwhile, took out one of the small swords and examined it critically.
"It is certainly a fine one," he said, "I suppose it's what they call a Toledo blade in Spain, the finest that they make." "Could you do much with it, Paul ?" asked Shif'less Sol.
"I could," replied Paul confidently.