I've got to be goin' or he'll slip away from me." "Be careful, Eli," Doctor Joe pleaded.

"Don't shoot unless you're forced to do so to protect yourself." "'Twill be Injun Jake'll have to be careful," returned Eli as he strode away in the darkness, and Doctor Joe knew that Eli had it in his heart to do murder.
The night was pitchy black and a drizzling rain was falling, but Eli had often travelled on as dark nights, and he was determined.

He chose a light skiff rigged with a leg-o'-mutton sail.

The wind was against him and with the sail reefed and the mast unstepped and stowed in the bottom of the boat, he slipped a pair of oars into the locks and with strong, even strokes pulled away, hugging the shore, that he might take advantage of the lee of the land.
Presently the drizzle became a downpour, but Eli, indifferent to wind and weather, rowed tirelessly on.

There was a dangerous turn to be made around Flat Point.