midday
From La Noue to Poitou was but twelve miles down the river , but by the woodland route where creeks were to be crossed , reed-girt lakes to be avoided , and paths to be picked among swamps where the wild rice grew higher than their heads , and the alder bushes lay in dense clumps before them , the distance was more than doubled . They walked in single file , Du Lhut leading , with the swift silent tread of some wild creature , his body bent forward , his gun ready in the bend of his arm , and his keen dark eyes shooting little glances to right and left , observing everything from the tiniest mark upon the ground or tree trunk to the motion of every beast and bird of the brushwood . De Catinat walked behind , then Ephraim Savage , and then Amos , all with their weapons ready and with every sense upon the alert . By midday they were more than half-way , and halted in a thicket for a scanty meal of bread and cheese , for De Lhut would not permit them to light a fire . `` They have not come as far as this , '' he whispered , `` and yet I am sure that they have crossed the river . Ah , Governor de la Barre did not know what he did when he stirred these men up , and this good dragoon whom the king has sent us now knows even less . '' `` I have seen them in peace , '' remarked Amos .