Although far from confident of his henchman's prowess in an emergency, the prospect of getting him safe into the quarters seemed brighter.
It was necessary, also, to trust to his superior wood-craft and knowledge of the locality, and Courtland still walking between him and his pursuers and covering his retreat allowed him to lead the way.

It lay over ground that was beginning to slope gently; the underbrush was presently exchanged for springy moss, the character of the trees changed, the black trunks of cypresses made the gloom thicker.

Trailing vines and parasites brushed their faces, a current of damp air seemed to flow just above the soil in which their lower limbs moved sluggishly as through stagnant water.

As yet there was no indication of pursuit.

But Courtland felt that it was not abandoned.