Miles and miles of rolling forest lay between these scattered holdings, and since war was but lately begun, nothing had been done for the protection of the hapless people now becoming an easy prey of the Indians stirred up to molest them.
Humphrey knew none of their neighbours.

Forest travelling was too difficult and dangerous to tempt the settler far away from his own holding.

If it were one of these coming now, most likely he too had suffered from attack or fear of attack, and was seeking a friend in the nearest locality.
He stood like one spellbound, watching and waiting.

The sound of steps drew nearer to the fringe of obscuring forest trees; the sound of voices became plainer and more plain.

In another minute Humphrey saw them--two bronzed and stalwart men--advancing from the wood into the clearing.