You've corn and mussels and sweet potatoes enough already cooked, to last you a week, and I'll probably be back before that; if not you must eat them raw till I do come: it won't do to build a fire while I'm away." After giving minute directions for their guidance during his absence, Sam put a sweet potato in one pocket and an ear of corn in the other, and set out on his journey, walking with a stout stick, having discarded his crutch as no longer necessary.

How far he walked that night, I am unable to say, his course being a very circuitous one.

The moon rose full, soon after dark, and shone so brightly that Sam dared not cross the fields, but skirted around them keeping constantly in the woods and the edges of canebrakes.
The next night and the next he continued his journey, though he found the country full of Indians.

He saw their "sign" everywhere, and now and then saw some of the Indians themselves.

The fourth evening found him so lame (his foot having swelled and become painful again) that he could not possibly go on.