It seemed a mingling of howls, cries, and groanings.

It rose and fell, now loud, and then almost inaudible; but it always came from the direction of the deserted log-hut.

At length it ceased, and now Winn noticed for the first time that a faint light was beginning to tinge the eastern sky above the tree-tops.
"Daylight is coming," thought the boy, "and it is high time for me to be off." He was glad of an excuse for leaving a place that had all at once become filled with such unexplained terrors.

Feeling his way cautiously to the river-bank, he reached the little raft without mishap.

It took him some time to get it clear of the boom; but at length he succeeded, and with a very decided feeling of relief he pushed off into the current, and proceeded on his journey.
Winn's spirits rose as his clumsy craft moved out from the heavy shadows of the island, and he began to whistle to convince himself that he had not been afraid of anything after all.