listen to you snorin' fur two days an' two
nights, when we've got to overtake an Injun army and thrash it?"

"Don't tech me with your foot ag'in, Sol Hyde, an' don't talk to me so
highfalutin'. It's hard to git me mad, but when I do git mad I'm a lot
wuss than Paul's friend, A-killus, 'cause I don't sulk in my tent,
specially when I haven't got any. I jest rises up an' takes them that
pesters me by the heels an' w'ar 'em out ag'in the trees."

"You talk mighty big, Saplin'."

"I'm feelin' big. I think I'll go out an' stretch myself, bein' ez it's
a fine day an' these are my woods."

The talk awoke Paul also and all went outside. Henry and Silent Tom
scouted for some distance in every direction, and, finding no sign of an
enemy, the five ate cold venison and drank from one of the innumerable
streams. Then they deliberated briefly. They must find the trail of the
Indian army and they were quite sure that it lay toward the east. If it
were there they could not miss it, as a way for the cannon had to be cut
with axes. Hence their council lasted only five minutes, and then they
hastened due eastward.

Speed was impeded by the creeks and brooks, all of which were swollen
yet further, compelling them in several cases to swim, which had to be
done with care, owing to the need of keeping their ammunition dry. Night
came, the great trail was still unfound, and they thought they might
possibly have been mistaken in going to the east, but when they debated
it again they resolved to continue their present course. Every
probability favored it, and perhaps the Indian army had taken a wider
curve than they had thought.

"I've had so much rest and sleep that I'm good fur all night," said Long
Jim, "an' the ground bein' so soft from so much rain them cannon wheels
will cut ruts a foot deep."

"That's so," said Shif'less Sol. "Why we could blindfold ourselves an'
hit that trail. Out o' the mouths o' men like Long Jim wisdom comes
sometimes, though you wouldn't think it."

"All that you are, Solomon Hyde," said Long Jim, "I've made. When I fust
knowed you a tow-headed boy you didn't have sense enough to come in out
uv the rain. Now, by long years uv hard trainin', mixin' gentleness with
firmness, I've turned you into somethin' like a scout an' trailer an'
Injun fighter, fit to travel in the comp'ny uv a man like myself. Now
an' then when I look at you, Solomon Hyde, I'm proud uv you, but I'm
prouder uv myself fur makin' a real ma