Ross and Sol seemed to have the eyes of cats in the dark and showed the way.
"My God!" murmured Mr.Pennypacker, "I could not have dreamed ten years ago that I should ever take part in such a scene as this!" Low as he spoke, Henry heard him and he detected, too, a certain note of pride in the master's tone, as if he were satisfied with the manner in which he had borne himself.

Henry felt the same satisfaction, although he could not deny that he had felt many terrors.
After much difficulty and some danger they reached the bottom of the hill unhurt, and then they sped across a fairly level country, not much troubled by undergrowth or fallen timber, keeping close together so that no one might be lost in the darkness and the rain, Ross, as usual, leading the line, and Shif'less Sol bringing up the rear.

Now and then the two men called the names of the others to see that all were present, but beyond this precaution no word was spoken, save in whispers.
Henry and Paul felt a deep and devout thankfulness for the chance that had saved them from a long siege and possible death; indeed it seemed to them that the hand of God had turned the enemy aside, and in their thankfulness they forgot that, soaked to the bone, cold and tired, they were still tramping through the lone wilderness, far from Wareville.
The darkness and the pouring rain endured for about an hour, then both began to lighten, streaks of pale sky appeared in the east, and the trees like cones emerged from the mist and gloom.

All of the salt-workers felt their spirits rise.

They knew that they had escaped from the conflict wonderfully well; two slight wounds, not more than the breaking of skin, and that was all.