He walked on for a little way when he came to a creek, a small one ordinarily, scarcely more than a crooked brook, but swollen now to considerable size.
"This may do," he said to himself.

"At all events it leads to the river, and I may as well explore it as I go." Accordingly he followed the stream.

Mile after mile he walked, through bottom lands that were well nigh impassable now, never losing sight of the creek until he reached its point of junction with the river.

It was still raining, but Sam persisted in the work of exploration until he knew the country thoroughly which lay between his camp and the river.

Then he returned, not weary with his four hours' walking, but very decidedly hungry.
Luckily, Bob Sharp's enthusiastic admiration for his leader had taken a very prosaic and practical turn.