He was a master of woodcraft, only their wilderness was that of the waters.
He gave forth the long, melancholy hoot of the owl, and he did it so well that he was surprised at his own skill.

The note, full of desolation and menace, seemed to come back in many echoes.

He saw the swart leader and the men with him start and look fearfully toward the forest that curved so near.

Then he saw them talking together and gazing at the point from which the sound had come.

Perhaps they were trying to persuade themselves the note was only fancy.
Robert laughed softly to himself.