Try to rest at ease, for I will soon return, with a laugh at my foolish suspicions." I forced the boat into the swollen stream, and, using one oar as a paddle, silently and swiftly propelled it directly across.

Discovering a spot seemingly fit for travel, I pushed the prow through the long marsh grass, and stepped ashore.

She still stood in the tree shadow of the opposite bank, and waving a hand in reassurance, I drew forth my long rifle from beneath the seat.

Advancing silently, I pressed forward into the thick bed of cane, thinking more of Eloise de Noyan than of the task before me.

It proved a hard passage, so extremely difficult as to call back my mind from foolish day-dreams to save myself an ugly fall, for the grass under-foot was matted and tangled, interspersed with marshy pools of brackish water, amid which innumerable projecting roots spread snares for the feet.