"On the damp soil under the trees they will track our steps, but we shall leave no marks here; and in the morning, when they trace us to this spot, they will be at fault." So saying, he struck off across the country.

For some hours they walked, the moon being high and enabling them to make their way without difficulty.

At last they came upon a clump of bushes, and here Ned proposed a halt.

Tom was perfectly ready, for they had now walked and run for many hours, and both were thoroughly fatigued; for after so long a voyage, in a small ship, they were out of condition for a long journey on foot.
"The first thing to do is to light a fire," Ned said; "for it is bitterly cold." "But how do you mean to light it ?" "I have flint and steel in my pouch," Ned said, "and a flask of powder, for priming my pistols, in my sash here.

It is a pity, indeed, we did not put our pistols into our belts when we came ashore.