He uses the nailed boots trampin' about, but he'd change un when he travels in his canoe." The whole question was canvassed pro and con, and due consideration given to the length of time that Indian Jake must have consumed in passing from Horn's Bight to Flat Point.

This was alone sufficient in the mind of Thomas and the boys to lift all suspicion from Indian Jake, but Eli still held stubbornly to the opposite view.
Two days later, and on the eve of Thomas's departure for the trails, Doctor Joe returned.

Lem had so far recovered that a further stay at Horn's Bight was unnecessary.
Thomas and Doctor Joe quietly discussed the shooting incident.

Lem, it appeared, had later decided that he may have been shot much earlier in the afternoon than sundown.

What had occurred had fallen into the hazy uncertainty of a dream.
"What kind of a rifle does Indian Jake use ?" asked Doctor Joe.
"A thirty-eight fifty-five," said Thomas.
Doctor Joe drew from his pocket the bullet extracted from Lem's wound.
Thomas examined it critically.
"There's no doubtin' 'tis a thirty-eight fifty-five," he admitted.
"'Tis true Injun Jake gets a pair of nailed boots like the lumber folk wears.