noon
Then he bore the canoe back to the river , put in it all his precious possessions , and continued his flight by water . There was a chance that warriors might see him from the banks , since he had proof of their presence in the woods , but relying upon his skill and the favors of fortune , he was willing to take the risk . He had an idea , too , that he would soon come to the lake , and he meant to hide among the dense thickets and forests , sure to line its low shores . His surmise was right , as some time before noon the river widened abruptly , and a half hour later he came out on the border of a vast lake , stretching blue to the horizon and beyond . A strong wind blowing over the great expanse of water came sharp and cold , but to Henry , naturally so strong and warmed by his exertions , it furnished only exhilaration . He felt that now the great flight and chase had come to an end . He could not cross this mighty inland sea in his light canoe , and doubtless the chiefs and the renegades , unable to follow his trail by water , where he left no trail at all , would give up at last , and hope for more success another time .